Motorcycle shipping to Europe

Hello everybody, I will be going to Spain in September and need to take my new 1200 GSA with me for 1 year. I would appreciate any recommendations on reliable shipping company along with insurance providers. See you on the road

Patrizio -

I found some past threads that discuss the idea of shipping or renting in Europe. That might get you started:

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?71269-Shipping-bikes-to-Europe-or-buying-one-there

http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?37367-How-to-ship-a-bike-from-us-to-Europe

The last one is from 2009...most other threads I found were older than that.

Look in the Yellow Pages for "Freight Forwarders". You need an international freight forwarder that can do the Customs paperwork on both sides. You can pack the bike on a long pallet. There are places who do have pre-made pallet containers just for motorcycles. You might be able to get one from a motorcycle dealer. Remember a fork lift must be able to lift and push the pallet. It should be packed well enough that if the pallet falls over the bike isn't damaged. See Forward Air website for a picture of one. Make sure that you insure the shipment. If the container falls off the ship, you are basically screwed if it is not insured. In my experience most freight forwarders are a dishonest group, so get a number of quotes. My guess would around $500-$1000 one-way for shipping, customs, and bond. When you get ready to ship the bike back use a freight forwarder in Spain and use a Customs Broker in the United States. Upon returning back to the USA, a Customs form MUST be filed 24 hours before the ship departs. $5000 fine if you miss the window. US Customs wants to know what your are shipping PRIOR to the ship leaving the port so that if they want to look at it, they can.

Here is a link that might get you started: Freight Fowarders in Chicago

Patrick,

You would do well to educate yourself on international transportation. A good place to start might be to talk to a few customs brokers and let them educate you on what you need to know (regulations, paperwork) and what some of the pitfalls might be. You would preferably want ones that have some experience in shipping private vehicles to Europe. These same people might be a good reference source for a freight forwarder to use. While the majority of freight forwarders are honest, some are more competent that others. In the end the better you understand the process the less likely you are to encounter unexpected problems/delays.
A place you might find some help regarding shipping vehicles overseas is over on the Horizons Unlimited website http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ . Good luck.

I've shipped by air 3 times if that is how you are going about it.

How much of this are you planning to do yourself?

If by air, Canada is your best bet. Last year London to Vancouver was $2200 one way. Went over on a boat for $1300.