Flying your bicycle to another country: Here is the step-by-step booking process…
Now you can see what it looks like to book your bicycle for international travel on one of the bicycle couriers booking portals. Whether you choose to use a service provider like UPS or DHL or DSV or Fedex, we require the same info in each instance. And why would you book through #bicyclecouriers iso going directly to said providers? Because we offer a seamless process at a likely lower rate because we buy in bulk. Come in and have a look behind the scenes. Welcome to our world. Now you can see how we do it.
Origin address
From where are we collecting the boxed bicycle? Or other item. We need the full collection address. And sender name and surname and contact numbers and email address. Plus, his or her tax number and ID number. Spot check on google maps for see the collection point also helps. Fortunately most of our systems do this automatically, which saves some time.
Destination address
To where are we sending the boxed bicycle? Or other item. We need the full delivery address. And recipient name and surname and contact number and email address. Plus, his or her tax number and ID number. As already mentioned the system integration with google maps works like a charm. And failing that we do a spot check to see where the delivery address is.
Item details
Add the parcels that you want to send. Ie boxed bicycles or other items. There are certain dimensions that are small enough to qualify for collated shipments at reduced rates. But boxed bicycles exceed those dimensions. And we need to know the product details and how it is packed. Plus, the volumetric weight that we calculate by getting the LBH length and width and height from you in cms. Plus, the weight in kgs. To show the chargeable weight.
Service type
Here we choose which supplier to use. Ie Fedex or DHL or UPS and more. But usually that decision is already being made upfront once we have quoted. Below is simply selecting and moving on. Each one has their own nuances. And experience counts. We have picked up on certain considerations that a first-time sender will be blissfully unaware of.
Customs
Please note: One important consideration, we need to know whether you are going to be sending it with your own exporters code (ie selling or exporting) vs sending your own bike with no buy/sell transaction involved or using your own ID number or income tax number for the cross-border part and duties etc. Also give full item details and we help you with the HS code as part of the cross-border classification. There are different HS codes, for example, for std bicycles vs e-bikes vs parts and accessories etc.
Duties
And trade agreements. Here you choose who pays the duties and taxes. And apply trade agreements if any. There are mainly two ways of paying the duties. Either by the sender (DDP) or the recipient (DAP). DDP means bill my account ie the sender pays the duties and taxes. These are paid upfront so that there is nothing for the receiver to pay on delivery. // Alternatively, you can use DAP, which means bill the receiver. So no duties or taxes are paid upfront, and the recipient pays it before the parcel is released. In summary, what does DAP vs DDP stand for:
- DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid (ie paid upfront by sender), and
- DAP stands for Delivered at Place (ie paid by recipient).
Protection
Do you want to add shipment protection. In this example it was 2.5% of the value of the R30k bicycle so the insurance payment came to R750. Which seems like a drop in the ocean compared to the shipment price in this example. And sender chose to add the cover. Yes or no. You decide.
Service options
Would you like someone to sign for the package on delivery? Optional. And what happens if the item is undelivered after 3 attempts? There are two options here. With very different cost implications. The zero-cost option is to abandon. Ie no return and no further charges. Alternatively, you can return to sender. But that means sending it back to the country of origin and likely doubling up on the shipping costs incurred. Choose wisely.
TADA!
And now you have more insight into sending your boxed bicycle across the world. This is what it looks like from our side. PS, all of the above can be done via WhatsApp. We take care of the heavy lifting. Now where can we send your boxed bicycle next?
