Shipping bikes - HOW MUCH!!!!

[Tommy]

Hi Austin, I was quoted simliar by James Cargo to ship to SA, although they also quoted apro. £400 per bike if we were to share a container for 6 bikes. I currently have 3 poss 4 bikes at the moment to ship down late October 2012. We then plan to ride tail to top of Africa using the West route. When are you planning to leave? Maybe we could share a container or even ride some of the way together. Drop me a pm with your email address and I could include you in our group email list. I'm meeting up with two possible SA riding partners for the third time at ABR lymington. Let me know if you want to discuss further.

[redbikejohn]

Try this guy. http://www.sa-cia.com/

He's a mate of mine and I suggested him to someone else but I'm not sure if he helped at all but worth a go. Mention me if you like - we are old riding mates from when he lived here for a while.

[Moomin Maiden]

ask for a LCL price, LCL is 'less than container load'. It means you will need to get your bike crated up. That way you can ask all sorts of shippers rather than a specialist bike shipper. You will have to factor in a courier getting the crated bike to the container.

[Simba]

Cheaper option is Sea freight but that depends on ship sailing time and arrival time (And Pirates :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:)

You can plan your trip to arrive in SA same time as the ship docks

If you prefer Air Freight,(This is the expensive option), make sure the packing box is small as possible by removing front wheel (To drop height) and Handle bar to reduce the width. After a certain Kg in weights, Airlines charges by Volume, therefore the smaller the box the cheaper the price.
I have shipped a bike out to Africa almost 3/4 yrs ago and did the above(Total Cost was under 1k)
To cut Cost,I used a local packer who did a great job for me and delivered the bike to the airport for me too.
Shop around as much as you can, Try and work out a box diemsions and approx weight. ask Airlines to quote you on that .. I used Davies Turner they were very competitive in price.. Good Luck..

[Moomin Maiden]

luckily Pirates haven't targetted a large container ship as of now, but time will tell!

[AustinW]

Thanks for the suggestions. Our trip is planned for May but we are flexible but the deal at our works is that we miss the main holiday season.

Most of the mainstream bike shippers will be at the bike show so I will have a chat with them there and find out the best way to cut costs. If taking a wheel off saves a few hundred quid it is a no brainer. There are some pretty negative views about shipping bikes on the HU website although a RORO option seems quite attractive.


Sent from my iPhone with a smile

[smithy641]

What is RORO please?

I love people that have that sort of prblm, I wish it was mine. Enjoy the trip whatever it costs you.

[Bonniebird]

Roll on Roll off......seems to suit most blokes....lol :laugh:

[smithy641]

Roll on Roll off......seems to suit most blokes....lol :laugh:

I really jumped for that one............... Very good.

[*Touring Ted*]

http://www.britannia-movers.co.uk/

Cost me £650 for EVERYTHING... Although, that was from South Africa to UK. Can't see it being more in reverse :blink: