Special Requirements When You're Shipping a Car or Motorcycle

1. Where to Begin
2. Enlisting the Aid of a Shipping Agency
3. Sea vs Air Freight
4. Sending Cars and Motorcycles Via Sea Freight
5. Surprise Expenses
6. Exceptions
7. Estimating Costs
8. Things to Watch Out For
9. Putting a Motorcycle in a Box
10. For Marine Freight Crating
11. Packing for Air Cargo
12. Size Counts
13. Import Laws, Documentation, Licenses, and the Carnet de Passage
14. What is a Carnet?
15. Are Carnets really necessary?
16. Insurance for Transit
17. The Bottom Line

You may be considering sending your motorcycle ahead if you're planning a round-the-world motorcycling trip or shipping your car if you are relocating. However, it's expensive, may seem overwhelming, and often deters travelers.

Nevertheless, there is no reason for it to be challenging. In fact, it is frequently less complicated than you might anticipate.

There are specialized businesses that can handle everything for you, and this comprehensive guide on international motorbike shipping will cover everything you need to know.

Where to Begin

It can be daunting to know where to begin when organizing a lengthy vacation or a relocation because there are so many factors to take into account.

Our recommendation is to sketch up a rough path and note the locations and nations you will need to pass your vehicle through. The next step is to research how to send your motorcycle or car through each country while also learning what paperwork is necessary for each one.

First, look up each nation's temporary import rules for cars on the official websites of each nation. For instance, if you plan to ride your motorcycle across the USA, you must file for an EPA Exemption at least one month in advance.

Remember that certain nations have additional physical requirements. For instance, Australia and New Zealand both demand that all vehicles, as well as any objects left in them, be immaculate.

You should prepare for a very expensive fumigation and examination charge if dirt, grime, or any signs of flora or wildlife are discovered on your motorcycle.

When it comes to transferring your motorcycle or automobile to a different country, you have a number of options available to you. These options include airfreight, sea freight, road transport, and even a combination of the two modes of transportation. Which is best for you at that point in your travel will depend on your particular circumstances and itinerary.

Enlisting the Aid of a Shipping Agency

Utilizing a professional international shipping and freight agent can greatly reduce the tension caused by the two factors mentioned above. The correct firm will have the necessary skills to securely pack or crate your motorcycle or car to avoid damage during the trip.

They will also be able to work with you to figure out the best way to ship your car or motorbike. In addition, they should know what paperwork you need in both the country you are leaving and the country you are going to.

This is crucial for any overland travel because it reduces the possibility of delays, fines, and in the worst case, the seizure of your motorcycle.

In some parts of the world, relying on a specialist's skills is a good way to make sure your car or motorcycle shipping goes smoothly. However, you don't have to use an agent everywhere.

When planning any journey, getting in touch with a reliable, experienced freight agency is a fantastic place to start because they should be happy to take the time to go over all the details with you and be honest about when an agent is actually needed.

Once you've put your suggested route down on paper, contact a knowledgeable freight agent to discuss it. They can tell you if there is something specific you need to plan for. They can also provide you with a shipping estimate.

A smart agent should be able to anticipate any unpleasant shocks and suggest little changes to your itinerary that could end up saving you a lot of money.

Sea vs. Air Freight

In the world of car and motorcycle shipping, there are times and places for both airfreight and sea freight, so it's important to choose the appropriate one for your journey.

Because air freight has far more consistent timing than sea freight, it is almost always more sensible to utilize it at the beginning of a trip or for a "bridging" leg of one.

Sending Cars and Motorcycles Via Sea Freight

When compared to air freight, delays with sea freight are more frequent and typically last for a week at a time. The last thing you want is to have to wait for your bike at the beginning of your journey or wait too long after moving to a new state or country to drive your car.

In the same way, you can't just ship your bike or car by sea to a new location with a few weeks to spare because if it doesn't arrive on time, you'll have to pay storage fees. In most countries, a car or bike cannot clear Customs without you being present.

It is recommended to avoid this because it can become very expensive and would offset any savings you would have realized by picking sea freight in the first place.

A little-known truth is that marine freight often carries greater arrival and handling fees than air freight. Therefore, although sea freight is frequently less expensive than air freight, the overall expenditures can be similar.

Surprise Expenses

The most crucial thing to remember from this part is that before beginning any transportation, you should determine the freight and arrival charges at the destination.

You must precisely budget to avoid being caught short because the arrival fees might occasionally be as expensive as the freight itself.

To get an accurate estimate of the total shipping cost, a professional freight agent should assist you in compiling all expenditures, not only those related to outgoing transportation.

Exceptions

There are several exceptions to this rule, and in some circumstances, it may be more cost-effective to ship your car or motorcycle at the beginning of a journey.

The UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are the finest examples because they are among the few nations in the world where a car or bike may be cleared through Customs without you needing to be there.

If you don't mind going without your car or motorcycle for a little while, our top-notch shipping connections in each of these nations can handle the clearance of your car or bike and safely store it until you fly out to meet it. In that case, this is the more economical choice.

Estimating Costs

At this point, it is important to note that one of the main distinctions between air freight and marine freight is time. One of the biggest problems with sea freight is that it usually takes a lot longer than air freight. This is a big reason why the prices are so different.

With today's air freight rates, the expenses for sea freight are usually based on the volume of the vehicle in the crate, which is determined by measuring the crate's length, breadth, and height.

This means that the total cost of freight will be based on the size of the crate, not the weight of the vehicle.

The majority of motorcycles have set lengths and widths. However, the height can occasionally be decreased by taking out the screen. Therefore, reducing tall touring screens could allow you to save money.

Some salespeople could suggest taking the front wheel off the bike to make it shorter. Inform them that you're okay with them doing it first, but keep in mind that you might have to put the motorcycle back together yourself when you get to your destination, which might be a parking lot or an airline cargo shed.

Please only use this approach if you are mechanically inclined and will have the tools necessary to reinstall the front wheel.

Things to Watch Out For

Contact shipping agents who seem the most competent. You should get a sense of them from their responses. They should answer quickly and give you information that is important to you.

You are welcome to inquire about their business philosophy and level of expertise. No agent worth working with will take offense at such inquiries and will be more than pleased to respond.

Once again, and this can't be emphasized enough, always attempt to work with an agent who provides you with an indication of the cost for both freight and arrival costs so that you can get a sense of what the entire shipping cost will be.

Additionally, keep in mind that an agent may be able to recommend a counterpart in the region you are interested in, even if they are not situated there.

For instance, we have a network of top-notch agents all over the world that we are pleased to suggest and introduce clients to since we are confident that they will be well-cared for.

Putting a Motorcycle in a Box

If you transport untreated wood to many nations across the world, there may be very harsh penalties in force (including disposal of your vehicle in extreme circumstances), and all solid wood used in a container must be ISPM15 treated.

There are times when it might be advantageous to build your own crate because it can be very expensive to ship bikes overseas in crates.

First, confirm that treated wood is needed for the country you are shipping to and use it if necessary. This refers to all wood used in the crate, not simply the base and walls on the outside (such as chocks or batons).

For Marine Freight Crating

In terms of the regulations for shipping goods by sea, if the gasoline is emptied and the battery unplugged, the shipment can be considered non-hazardous.

However, to find out if there are any additional country-specific regulations that might be enforced on top of these, you should verify with the shipping agent of that nation.

Packing for Air Cargo

When shipping a car or motorbike by air, the fuel level must be less than 1/4 tank. However, the battery can remain connected if the car or bike is being transported as dangerous goods (this is the most usual way to ship motorcycles by air, but it is not always the case).

Again, different countries interpret the rules differently, so be sure to ask your selected freight agent if there are any additional restrictions or regulations in place.

Size Counts

Because practically all fees (for both sea freight and air freight) are based on the volume of the container, when it comes to your bike, you should pack it as compactly as you can.

Try to make the bike's container as compact as possible while still providing the bike with the best protection feasible to avoid any damage.

If you decide to disassemble your bike, keep in mind that you might reassemble it outdoors, possibly in the rain or at night, in the airline's parking lot used for freight. Unless you are very competent, we advise against totally disassembling the bike.

Never pack more than one bike in a crate, as a general rule. The majority of nations want individual customs clearances for each motorcycle and demand that the bikes be packed individually.

Import Laws, Documentation, Licenses, and the Carnet de Passage

We must emphasize that each nation has unique, constantly-changing rules and regulations on the paperwork needed to temporarily import motorcycles and other vehicles.

Since some papers must be requested in advance, it is preferable to look into these before shipping begins.

What is a Carnet?

A customs document called a Carnet de Passages en Douane identifies a traveler's car or other expensive luggage or equipment. It is necessary to have it in order to bring a car into a sizable but dwindling number of nations worldwide.

Are Carnets really necessary?

Shipping companies will mention both countries that demand and suggest a Carnet separately. If you are just transporting through countries that recommend a Carnet, we urge you to confirm with the government of each individual destination whether a Carnet is actually necessary.

If not, you do not need to have a Carnet in place, which may end up saving you a significant amount of money!

You will hear tales of people who, generally by bribery or occasionally just by luck, were able to get their vehicles through nations that genuinely require a Carnet without having one in place.

A Temporary Import may be issued by nations without a Carnet requirement. This document may go by a variety of other names. Depending on the nation, further documentation may be needed before the vehicle can enter the country.

Insurance for Transit

Any freighting movement does not automatically include transit insurance. It is an add-on that you should be able to acquire from the shipping company.

Your motorcycle or vehicle should be covered by transit insurance in the event of loss or damage while in transit, though there will likely be a modest excess in place, as with any insurance policy.

Even if disasters are unusual, they do happen, which is why insurance is there. Therefore if the freight agent handling your delivery doesn't automatically offer it, it is always worth asking about how much transit insurance will cost.

People are often surprised that shipping companies and airlines don't protect you in case of damage or disaster if you don't have transit insurance.

Even though you could be entitled to compensation if damage or loss does occur while being transported, it almost definitely won't be enough to fully compensate you for your car or motorcycle and can be very difficult and time-consuming to get back.

The Bottom Line

Even something you read last week might not apply today because laws and rules change all the time, making it practically meaningless for someone planning their own future trip.

Our best recommendation is to speak with a car freight and international motorbike shipping specialist who is familiar with the region you wish to visit in order to obtain the most recent and correct information.

A great option is to ship your car or bike with us at A-1 Auto Transport. We can offer you the best service at the most affordable pricing because of our significant experience.

For your specific needs, we provide both open and enclosed shipping options for your vehicle. Additionally, we can always find the most effective route for your vehicle because of our widespread network of carriers.