Shipping Motorcycle to US from South America...Help Por favor!

BMWpitt · 11-09-2012, 09:31 AM

What up inmates!

Im planning a Pittsburgh to TDF trip this year and wanted to tap the always knowledgable minds of you guys/gals here. I plan on flying back home to the US after my trip and want to ship the bike as well. Has anyone shipped a bike to the United States from South America? Did you airfreight or ship via a container? From what city? Was this a big pain in the ass and super expensive? THanks for the insight!!

catweasel67 · 11-09-2012, 01:05 PM

FWIW

I shipped from Europe to the US via Canada - having been told it was more reliable, easier, and cheaper, to clear Canadian customs than US customs.

I chose to fly my bike as I could "guarantee" it arrived when I did. I was told that shipping via the sea means a much more variable arrival window - 6 to 16 weeks - and that didn't work for me.

So...2 things for you to bear in mind - clearing customs, arrival window.

FlowBee · 11-16-2012, 09:18 PM

Check with Dakar Motos in Buenos Aires. They should be able to help you out quite a bit for a reasonable fee. Other inmates have used their help recently.

Plan on $1-2K to ship the bike by air to North America.

MountaineerWV · 11-22-2012, 08:22 AM

I met a fellow ADVRider, Sean, in Punta Arenas, Chile that shipped his KTM 690 SM to LA (or maybe San Fran) back in March. He has a ride report up in the Ride Report section. Sorry, but can't remember the thread name. He could probably point you in the right direction.

I didn't want to deal with shipping my DR650 back (especially not after 35k miles of mostly off road). I sold it in Punta Arenas and saved myself the headache. There is one bike rental place there that buys a few bikes a year from travelers, or you can find a private buyer. Beware that most people will not be able to afford a BMW or KTM.

11-09-2012, 09:31 AM	#1
BMWpitt ^OP n00b Joined: Aug 2012 Location: Pittsburgh Oddometer: 7	Shipping Motorcycle to US from South America...Help Por favor! What up inmates! Im planning a Pittsburgh to TDF trip this year and wanted to tap the always knowledgable minds of you guys/gals here. I plan on flying back home to the US after my trip and want to ship the bike as well. Has anyone shipped a bike to the United States from South America? Did you airfreight or ship via a container? From what city? Was this a big pain in the ass and super expensive? THanks for the insight!!

11-09-2012, 01:05 PM	#2
catweasel67 BAN - Born Again Noob Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Vienna, Austria Oddometer: 5,587	FWIW I shipped from Europe to the US via Canada - having been told it was more reliable, easier, and cheaper, to clear Canadian customs than US customs. I chose to fly my bike as I could "guarantee" it arrived when I did. I was told that shipping via the sea means a much more variable arrival window - 6 to 16 weeks - and that didn't work for me. So...2 things for you to bear in mind - clearing customs, arrival window. __________________ Planning NA 2010 NA 2010 Adriatic Loop August 09 Mandello Guzzi Protest Sept 09 "I've got the key to the gates of paradise...but I've got too many legs!!" Jeff "Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." -- Robert E. Howard

11-16-2012, 09:18 PM	#3
FlowBee Just me. Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Stasis. Oddometer: 3,385	Check with Dakar Motos in Buenos Aires. They should be able to help you out quite a bit for a reasonable fee. Other inmates have used their help recently. Plan on $1-2K to ship the bike by air to North America. __________________ This space for rent.

11-22-2012, 08:22 AM	#4
MountaineerWV Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: West Virginia Oddometer: 282	I met a fellow ADVRider, Sean, in Punta Arenas, Chile that shipped his KTM 690 SM to LA (or maybe San Fran) back in March. He has a ride report up in the Ride Report section. Sorry, but can't remember the thread name. He could probably point you in the right direction. I didn't want to deal with shipping my DR650 back (especially not after 35k miles of mostly off road). I sold it in Punta Arenas and saved myself the headache. There is one bike rental place there that buys a few bikes a year from travelers, or you can find a private buyer. Beware that most people will not be able to afford a BMW or KTM. __________________ TAT...and Beyond West Virginia University Beta Theta Pi - Beta Psi US Army 2006-2011; Ansbach, Germany 2007-2011; Iraq 07-08 & 09-10

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