Tips on how to import a tandem from the USA

[Speeltyd]

I wish to purchase a tandem in the USA and ship it to SA. The bike shop seems at a loss and my online searches render quotes ranging from US$500 to 3000!

Anyone done it?, and any advice on how to do it cost effectively? Price of tandem is $900, so would not like to pay a fortune to get it to SA

[MORNE]

Those estimates are about right. A ‘normal’ bike frame will cost you about R5k to get here from there at this stage in the broken world…ask @Jewbacca. He did it quite recently .

the problem is not weight, but volumetric weight. The frame will be light enough, but boxed and with the formula that couriers like DHL express, UPS or even Aramex use to calculate…volumetric weight will be in the region of 30kg odd for a normal bike frame. I presume it will be way more for a tandem. Propably 1.5x or 2x more due to size…not weight. A d thats for a frame, not a complete bike.
 

let me give you another example. My wife likes buying designer furniture pieces, thats her hobby. She has her eyes set on a lamp/luminaire in France. 9kg but boxed it is 37cmx37cmx42cm. That volume with the formula pushes the volumetric weight to about 13kg…and even from EU…that ‘small’ but 13kg box will cost R4500 to ship via courier. And honestly…using a courier is your only bet unless you are in the freight business. You cant ridk it going through SAPO.

Edited September 8, 2022 by MORNE

[100Tours]

try MYUs.com for a full range of options (you send it to them in Florida, and then they ship it to you), They should be able to give you a quote based on size and weight. but shipping a bike like that isn't going to be cheap. 

edit - I don't think its worth it for a tandem at that price point.

Edited September 8, 2022 by 100Tours

[Jewbacca]

Aramex global shopper is awesome, but it will still cost you 2000 to 3000 zar then taxes