International Shipping

[HJS26]

Hi Guys

Does anyone have a 'ball park' figure for how much it would cost to ship a full size Skoolie internationally?

Thank you!
Howared

[Rameses]

I haven't the faintest clue where to start looking for a price.

But to help those who might be in the know on this subject, you might want to elaborate on "international".

I can see there being a big difference in the price of moving a bus from Jamaica to Florida vs from Australia to England.

[HJS26]

Hi

Ok - Some more info..

From the USA to either
Europe?
USA to the Far East?
USA to Australia?

All valid options at the moment

[1olfart]

I know someone who may be able to get some rough #s, but you will need to be a lot more specific b4 anyone will spend the time to do the research. It's more than just looking on a rate chart. Every port, in every country, will be different. Export fees are different from import fees. If the bus can be shipped in a container, my guess is that will make it a little easier (Container are 20' or 40') but where and when is a must to know.

[cadillackid]

then once its there you have ot deal with the country of imports laws regarding equipment, inspections, and safety equipment to be able to use it on the road..
-Christoopher..

[rahasiyam]

I found this site earlier with some links at the end ... Ship your RV to Europe

[somewhereinusa]

There are at least two on this site that have imported to England. A full size and a shorty.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by HJS26

Hi Guys

Does anyone have a 'ball park' figure for how much it would cost to ship a full size Skoolie internationally?

Thank you!
Howared

A Army 6x6 will cost you $11 grand to Costa Rica. That was 2 years ago. Leaving from Miami.

[Iceni John]

Shipping costs are only part of the story. Import fees and duties can be crippling for some countries, and then you may possibly also have to modify the vehicle to comply with local regulations.

Many years ago when I worked for an international shipping/moving company and freight forwarder in England, we had a customer who wanted to send his car to Singapore. We gave him a price for FOB destination, he accepted, and we drove his car to Felixstowe docks to catch the RORO sailing that same night to Singapore and Australia. We thought that was a slick job until he called us all of a panic the next day asking us to not ship his car. We told him no luck, it's already on the high seas, probably somewhere in the Bay of Biscay or thereabouts, next stop Singapore, should be there in three weeks or so. Well, it turns out he found that it cost some prodigious amount of money to privately import used cars there, something like 200% duty on the original new car price, plus some other high rate of import fee for whatever else, in other words he would have spent many tens of thousands of pounds to get his car. For all we knew, it sat on the docks for ages as an unclaimed or abandoned vehicle, and he was out of pocket the considerable shipping costs, all because he had not researched it thoroughly before signing on our dotted line.

In a warehouse next to the ferry terminal at Felixstowe was a boneyard of mostly American cars that US servicemen stationed in England had tried to import for their own use while working in England. They had all been impounded because they had non-compliant headlights and lighting, windshield glass, and whatever else was needed to bring a vehicle into Britain at that time, so they all sat there gathering dust and rusting away - I remember seeing many Camaros and Firebirds there, just what young US servicemen like to drive!

So, do your research first very thoroughly. Also, how about spare parts and servicing/repairs in the country of choice? There was some discussion recently here about this exact subject - sometimes it's better to get a locally-made vehicle instead of some esoteric and unique foreign vehicle that can become an albatross.

And no, a school bus won't fit inside an ISO shipping container! Containers are all 8 feet wide overall, so they have about 7'6" internal width, and the tallest are 9'6" high overall, so about 8 feet something internal height depending on their floor strength. A bus would have to go RORO or as deck cargo (not recommended!). Generally, only cars can fit inside containers.

John

[rahasiyam]

Good to know ! Thanks for the infos.

[Versatile]

Some countries let you drive it for 90 days and then it must leave the country or at least not driven anymore.

As a resident of Costa Rica you can import one Handicapped vehicle if you are handicapped every 5 years with no duties. Can't imagine the value of a Skoolie with a handicap lift finished out and Mountain Driving equipped.

[FunkyChickenBus]

We shipped our shortie to England from Charleston, SC RoRo for around $3000.
Then we shipped it to Seattle from Tokyo, and that was $7,000.
The key thing for RoRo is the cube measurement, that determines how much you pay. We put big racks on the roof before understanding this, and wound up cutting them down (lowering) to reduce the height.
If you want to PM me, I can offer more specifics on caveats and whatnot for shipping and also insurance for Europe.
We are working on a trip to South America in a couple of years, and will either be shipping to Buenos Aires or home from there.
It's pretty cool to get a photo of your bus from one of the crew members en route, btw!

[rahasiyam]

wow nice !! So it's possible ... ! Expensive, but possible Good news !

I will PM you to keep your contact close ^^ Thanks a lot !

[deftone]

I tried getting mine shipped from Maryland to Louisiana and couldnt find a quote for less than $2000, so overseas will probably be pretty pricey!

[Land Cruiser]

This is some thing I m interested in as well. There is a company called POP Yachts. They sell used boats and RV's they are out of Tampa, Florida. I know they ship boats all over the world and although i didn't work the RV side, I have to assume they can do that as well. They would also have a Prep to Ship Pack which would detail what needs to be do to the unit before shipping. They you need to know what needs to be done as far a s inspections and getting rolling in the host country.

I see that this was originally post in 2016 Wondering if you already made the trip?

[Versatile]

Also you are not allowed to pack it with all types of things.

[HazMatt]

That sux!

Originally Posted by Versatile

Also you are not allowed to pack it with all types of things.

The idea being able to charge for even more onboard stowage...
A dedicated smuggler could find plenty of places to stuff contraband into on a Skoolie!

[Danjo]

When I saw the post from the guy from Hamburg, I thought why not take all the seats out of it and contract the interior as shipping space to recoup some of the cost?that may complicate something already complicated.

Regarding import restrictions and fees: Remove the engine and import it as “steel sculpture”

Edit: disregard my entire post

[Rod75]

Shipping method: RoRo
Ship from: Jacksonville, FL
Ship to: Antwerp, Belgium
2010 Ford Shuttle Bus (Operable)
L: 276.0" W: 88.8" H: 106.80"
V: 1516 cu. ft.W: 15000 lbs

Quote Details

Ocean Shipping$2,770.00FedEx$95.00AES costs$90.00Total Rate:$2,955.00

[Rod75]

Shipping method: RoRo
Ship from: Jacksonville, FL
Ship to: Antwerp, Belgium
Skoolie Bus (Operable)
L: 360.0" W: 96.0" H: 151.20"
V: 3024 cu. ft.W: 23000 lbs

Quote Details

Ocean Shipping$4,720.00
AES costs$90.00
FedEx$95.00
Total Rate:$4,905.00