Traveling or moving abroad does not have to mean giving up your motorcycle. Although the process for international motorcycle shipping can vary depending on the country your motorcycle is being exported to, there are some common procedures that protect your motorcycle during transport.
One of the first steps in shipping motorcycles internationally is to thoroughly clean the motorcycle to avoid any issues with quarantine. Even a small amount of dirt left on a bike can carry diseases or pests that can have negative consequences on the agricultural industries of your new country. Motorcycles and other vehicles are often classified as a high risk threat and should be thoroughly inspected before entering a new country. The motorcycle may be quarantined if pests, foreign matter, or dirt is found during inspection. An international motorcycle shipping company can help you avoid this by getting your motorcycle pristine before shipping it off.
Motorcycle exports are often labeled as dangerous goods due to the flammability of the battery and gasoline tank. Tanks must be completely emptied of gasoline and the battery must be disconnected prior to shipment.
The motorcycle must be properly packed to ensure not only the protection of the bike, but also to reduce the risk of introducing pests or diseases into the new country. The bicycle must only be packed in wooden crates that have been treated and certified free of pests. Metal boxes are a good alternative, but they must be well padded to ensure that the bike is not damaged by another load.
An experienced shipping company can help you pack your bike so it arrives at your destination in the same condition you left it in. Special boxes made just for transporting motorcycles have a raised location to hold the front wheel axle and secure the bike with steel locating brackets. The rear wheel is protected by two pieces of wood and all loose items are secured to the bike after being wrapped in bubble wrap. Each component is wrapped to ensure no two parts rub against each other during shipping.
An international motorcycle shipping company can help you inventory all the bike parts inside the box and photographically document the entire package in case of damage. An experienced transport company can also help you manage the customs documentation and the insurance of the bicycle.
When choosing a transport company, don’t just choose the one with the cheapest price. Look for a company with a strong track record of successfully shipping to your specific destination, and keep documentation of each step of the shipping process.