Shipping out of Japan

Shipping prices vary greatly among shipping companies. One rider shipped to Malaysia via Nippon Express (Nippon Tsu-un in Japanese) in October 2000. The cost for a Yamaha Ténéré in a BMW F650GS crate were: Export customs clearance $54, Shipping to port $90, Ocean freight $147, Documentation, handling charge $90. Total about $380. There are other major shipping companies that specialize in certain regions. Call around for prices and schedules.

Crating and transport are a big cost that you can eliminate if you are resourceful. You can probably get a crate from a BMW motorcycle dealer near the port. Businesses in Tokyo have to pay to dispose of empty crates. So, BMW or Harley Davidson dealers should be willing to part with empty crates. Sometimes they are torn apart when opened. So ask in advance to make sure they open the crate carefully.

You can usually put the crate together at the warehouse if you want. Renting a Toyota Hi-Ace truck was 6,000 yen ($58) for 6 hours. Drop off the crate beforehand and return the truck if you aren't experienced in crating. If you don't want to put it together yourself, you can take it to the shipper (at least you can for Nippon Express) and they will do it for you-- for a cost, of course. If you are loaded with money, the shipping agent will make a crate for you, pack the bike, and send it along. You can even have them come pick it up at wherever you are staying. But who has that kind of money.

One last tip. Don't plan to leave the country before your bike does. You many not get your carnet back until the bike is actually on the boat and the carnet gets back to the shipping agent. One rider had to wait for more than a week in the port to get his papers after the bike arrived.