Skip links

Motorcycle Transports to South Africa

General Information

Packaging

For transportation to South Africa, the motorcycle must be packed in a crate. Just talk to the local motorcycle dealer, they are often happy if the outer packaging of new vehicles can be disposed of free of charge. You will usually have the best luck with dealers of Italian or Japanese manufacturers. Many brands have already switched to reusable packaging, but don’t be discouraged! Basically, it saves money to keep the box as small as possible, e.g. remove the front wheel. Alternatively, the packaging can be done by a company we use in Hamburg. However, this would be a much more cost-intensive option, as no dismantling is carried out on the motorcycle for liability reasons and the packaging is more generous. Additional luggage can also be packed, provided that it does not contain hazardous materials in accordance with aviation regulations (e.g. batteries/rechargeable batteries). (e.g. batteries/rechargeable batteries, methylated spirits, engine oil, spray cans) When constructing the transport crate, it should be noted that heat-glued wood such as plywood, chipboard or OSB boards are used. These do not have to be certified separately. The crate must be completely closed, including the floor, especially during air transportation. This is the only way to ensure that no unwanted objects can be deposited by third parties. Our prices are calculated individually, so please specify the length, width and height (remove mirror / window!) and weight – the volume is primarily decisive, i.e. the smaller the crate, the lower the transport costs.

Transportation to South Africa

It is possible to transport the motorcycle by air freight and by ship. The possible destinations are Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. You also have the option of booking a one-way transport only, fork transports and an outward journey by air, return journey by ship or vice versa are also possible. The transport time by air is approx. 7 days, by ship approx. 5 weeks. It is possible to collect the packed crate from you by truck with a lifting platform and pallet truck.

Transportation back

The return transport can be by air or ship, you also have the option of booking a one-way transport, our local partner will organize the packing at the port. The transport time by air is approx. 7 days, by ship approx. 7 weeks. Delivery of the motorcycle to you in a transport crate by truck with lifting platform and pallet truck is possible.

At the destination for one-way transportation

After your arrival, contact the local representative of the airline or shipping company. After paying the local fees, customs clearance will take place. Now all you have to do is unpack the motorcycle and off you go! This takes about 1 day, the empty crate is simply left behind. Of course, this process can also be done together with our local partner, but for cost reasons it has proven to be best in the past for the traveler to carry out these steps themselves.

At destination when booking both transports

After your arrival, contact our local partner for joint customs clearance. The motorcycle is then simply unpacked and off you go! The time required is about 1 day, the empty crate is stored by our correspondent. A few days before the return transport, you contact our forwarding agent and coordinate the delivery of the vehicle. At the end of the vacation, the motorcycle is loaded back into the crate after customs clearance and everything else is organized by our local partner and us here in Hamburg.

Customs

For problem-free import and export in the destination country, you need a Carnet de Passage, which is only available from the automobile club (ADAC in Germany). The carnet is only required in the country of destination; it does not need to be presented for export from Germany. For the final import of vehicles, please contact the automobile club or the local customs authorities for binding information.

Contract and payment

Once you have decided to book, we will draw up a forwarding contract, which you will sign and return to us. The first partial invoice for the transportation will be issued shortly after you pick up/drop off the motorcycle; we do not charge a deposit upon conclusion of the contract!

Transport insurance

We offer optional transport insurance against total loss and transport damage to the motorcycle. The premium is 0.95% of the vehicle value, with a minimum of € 95.00 per journey. Paint damage and oxidation are excluded, vehicles over 9 years old can only be insured against total loss. Unfortunately, any luggage stowed in the transport box is not insurable; we recommend that you enquire about luggage insurance. In the event of damage, this must be visible from the outside, the excess is € 500.00 per claim.

Prices

The costs are based on the size of the transport crate and amount to approx. € 7,000.00 by air freight for a standard travel enduro from various airports in Germany to South Africa and back. By ship it is approx. € 3,000.00. The prices are based on current tariffs and include all port and handling charges in addition to the current fuel, dangerous goods and security fees. Please consider this as a rough price indication, the costs vary depending on the destination and crate size. Forklift transportation as well as an outward journey by air, return journey by ship or vice versa is possible.

We hope this information has been helpful for you and we are looking forward to a feedback. Do you like to receive a detailed offer? Please inform us about measures of your box and your motorcycle as well as your planned travel time. We are pleased to submit an individual calculation free of charge.

Please control your spam folder for our replies, especially in case of gmail or googlemail accounts!

We transport your motorbike to the following countries: