Vehicle shipping across the Darien Gap
-
The Darien Gap
- Crossing the Darien Gap by Air
- Crossing the Darien Gap by Boat
- RORO from Panama to Colombia
- NYK Lines, RORO from Costa Rica to Ecuador
- Barwil Agencies, Container Shipping from Panama to Ecuador or Colombia
- C. Fernie & CO, Container Shipping from Panama to Ecuador
- Rozo / Marfret, Container shipping from Panama to Colombia
- WILHELMSEN Container from Cristobal to Cartagena or Barranquilla
- SEABOARDMARINE Container from Cristobal to Cartagena
- THE ROZO GROUP Container from Manzanillo to Cartagena
- NYK LINE (Mexico) RORO from Balboa to Buenaventura
- Container shipping from Colon to Cartagena with Everlogistic
The entire network of roads in North, Central, and South America connect, except for a 50 km (30 miles) gap between Colombia and Panama known as the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap has been crossed a handful of times by international teams, but is now considered too dangerous to cross due to rebel groups. We've got the lowdown on how to get you and your car across the Darien Gap. Also check out related articles about traveling across the Darien Gap, vehicle shipping (excluding the Darien Gap), and detailed shipping instructions if you are using Barwil to ship around the Darien Gap.
The Darien Gap
Crossing the Darien Gap by Air
If you are traveling by motorcycle, you can find air cargo freighters that will ship a motorcycle. Vehicles need to be transported by boat.
Yet to be confirmed first hand, there are apparently small local airports offering inexpensive passenger flights between Panama and Colombia for prices around $50.
Crossing the Darien Gap by Boat
While this may be the most frustrating border crossing, many people have done this before, so don't let it deter you from taking the plunge. You have two options for transporting your vehicle: using a cargo container or RORO, which stands for "roll on, roll off". Your car will not be placed in a shipping container, but instead will be driven into the ship. RORO will be less expensive, but you will need to hand over your keys. You will need to take everything out of the car, and remove anything from the vehicle that can be stolen. If your vehicle's height exceeds 2.7 meters you will have to use RORO due to the container restraints.
VW Vagabonds provide a wealth of information on different shipping options, including a list of questions and tips to complete your paperwork correctly. These intrepid travelers have shipped their car four times at this point, and have detailed information on shipping their vehicle from on a RORO from North America to South America, shipping vehicles from Costa Rica to Ecuador on a RORO.
''It should be clarified that container prices below are based on shipping two vehicles in a single container. While this is most cost effective, groups with only one vehicle unable to share a container with fellow travelers will have to double the below "per vehicle" container fee.''
RORO from Panama to Colombia
There is a RORO service from Colon, Panama to Cartagena, Colombia as of April 2009. The cost is $55 USD per weight measure (cubic foot). To calculate this, according to Evelyn, you take the length x width x height of your vehicle and multiply it by $55 to estimate the cost. Usually it costs from $600 to $700 USD. If the vehicle's height exceeds 2.7 metres you will have to use RORO due to the container restraints.
NYK Lines, RORO from Costa Rica to Ecuador
According to positive reviews from THymeoff and VW Vagabonds, you can get your car shipped hassle free by NYK for $500 USD. Since it is a Roll On, Roll Off, you will need to hand over your keys. You can contact Milton Madriz who has an office in San Jose, Costa Rica. His email address is nautica@racsa.co.cr.
Josh from wanderinglost.com notes the below:
Previously (2004) this route was traveled at a cost of $250, but as of 2007 the fee appears to be $500. Additionally there is a $50 port fee on arrival in Ecuador. Another note is that it is not entirely "hassle free" as stated above - travelers should be careful to secure any cargo in their vehicles and not leave any items accessible inside that they don't want stolen. Thefts have been reported by several travelers on this route. Paperwork and receiving in Manta, Ecuador takes about a day, is straightforward, and Manta is a very nice place with a beautiful beach!
People have had mixed results in dealing with Milton Madriz in San Jose(the official NYK agent for this port), ranging from willing to unresponsive to actually obstructive. Better service has been received by first directly contacting the NYK office in Mexico, which is in charge of this route and where the shots are called.
Contact: Omar.Gonzalez@mx.nykline.com
Note: There is no Container Service via NYK Line for this route
Transit time: 6 days
Rates:
$600 per unit
Full Liner Terms (FLT)
- From vessel's Ramp at Loading Port, to vessel's Ramp at Discharge Port
- Any Tax and / or Dues, Wharfage and / or any transhipment cost at Loading and/ or Discharging ports to be from shippers/ consignee's account
The following agent contacts can provide more information about additional fees, services they provide, documentation etc.
Pto Caldera, Costa Rica
Lucia Hernández G.
lhernandez@barloventocr.com
Customer service manager
Barlovento Agencia Marítima S.A.
Tel:(506)2296-8480
San José, Costa Rica
Manta, Ecuador
Ginger Rodriguez
Customer Service NYK
Telf: 2-598060 Ext 1332
Fax: 2-598060 Ext 1339
E-mail: grodriguez@transnippon.com.ec
cscnyk@transnippon.com.ec
Also read this detailed report about shipping RORO from Costa Rica to Ecuador with Transoceanica.
Barwil Agencies, Container Shipping from Panama to Ecuador or Colombia
Barwil agencies has been recommended by a number of different sources, and they are extremely helpful. In general, they tend to be most responsive when you actually arrive in Panama City and meet with them in their office. They ship cars from Colon, Panama in either 20 or 40 foot shipping containers. 2 cars can fit in one 40 foot container, reducing costs somewhat. In general, ships for Guayaquil, Ecuador leave once every 15 days, while ships for Cartagena, Colombia, leave every week. The journey to Ecuador takes about 4 days while the trip to Colombia takes only 1 day. While Barwil does provide shipping services to both Colombia and Ecuador, Colombia seems to be preferable. Of the 203 cars they shipped in 2008, 200 were shipped to Colombia, only 3 shipped to Ecuador. The receiving procedure in Colombia is much more efficient and potentially less expensive. For detailed instructions describing the entire shipping process, see Barwil Shipping Instructions.
Costs in Panama:
$950/car, 2 cars in a 40 foot shipping container. Includes departure permits, 'stuffing' fee, ocean freight charge, stuffing materials, and any port fees.
$9/car customs/port charge paid in Manzanillo Port in Colon.
Costs in Colombia:
$150/car for 'unstuffing' fee
Contact information:
- Barwil Agencia S.A.
- Panama Pacifico (former Howard Airforce Base), south of the city
- International Business Park,
- Tower A, 3rd floor, Office 401
- N08º 55.67’ W79º 35.57’
- evelyn.batista@wilhelmsen.com
- Phone: +507 263 7755; Fax: +507 223 0698
- Panama, Republic of Panama
- evelyn.batista@wilhelmsen.com
Website: www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice
C. Fernie & CO, Container Shipping from Panama to Ecuador
C. Fernie & CO offers container shipping from Colon, Panama to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Their ships leave on a weekly basis, and it takes 4-6 days for the ship sail from Panama to Ecuador. They recommend using a customs broker to speed the permitting process in Panama.
Costs
For 2 cars in one 40 foot shipping container:
- $600/car, shipping fee
- $175/car 'stuffing' fee
- $200/car customs clearance for export
- $50/car police permissions
Contact Info
Tel. Panama: 211-9488
Tel. Colon: 433-8500
sales@pa.hamburgsud.com, manuel.gonzalez@pa.hamburgsud.com
Rozo / Marfret, Container shipping from Panama to Colombia
Another shipping company with an office in Panama City, shipping from Colon, Panama to Cartegena, Colombia. You can contact Mr. Martinez to get the ball rolling. His email address is gmartinez@therozogroup.com.pa.
Dan from dangrec.com notes the below:
"In March 2010 we searched and searched for the cheapest shipping agent for days in Panama City. Barwil quoted us $950 plus unknown costs in Colombia and Seaboard quoted $880 plus unknown costs.
For two vehicles sharing a 40' container we paid a total price of $770 per vehicle which includes every single cost on both ends - customs and all.
This is the lowest price I've ever heard of."
Website with price breakdown: Dangrec.com
LostworldExpedition notes that:
As of December 2010 shipping through Marfret in a 40 foot container split with 2 vehicles the cost was US $781.00 each vehicle and it did not include some costs at the Colombia side. After all costs including cab rides and additional fees from the Colombia port authority and Colombian receiving shipping agent the total cost was close to $900.00.
WILHELMSEN Container from Cristobal to Cartagena or Barranquilla
Contact: Eira.Caballero@Wilhemlsen.com
Ph: (507) 263 7755 Mob: (507) 6674 6857
Weekly shipping
Transit: 1-2 Days to Barranquilla, 2-3 days to Cartagena
Rates: 20 foot container (didn't give info on 40 foot but I'm sure she will if you ask)
Ocean freight - $1350
Stuff/ Unstuff - $150
Doc. Fee - $50
Not including Customs and port charges
TOTAL (excl. additional fees) = USD 1550
There is also irregular RORO service for this route which leaves once or twice every 2-3 months, ask for quotes if interested.
SEABOARDMARINE Container from Cristobal to Cartagena
Contact: Vanessa Degracia vdegracia@seaboardmarinepanama.com
Rates:
20 Foot Container (1 car) = $600 + $275 bunker + $50 Bill of Lading (BL)
40 Foot Container (2 cars) = $900 + $550 bunker + $50 BL
+ Stuffing on Cristobal = $162.50 Per Car + $75 for Empty Container
+ Un- Stuffing on Cartagena = $160 Per 20 foot container / $180 per 40 foot
Extra costs (not part of freight)
+ $17 Cargo por Seguridad Portuario Puerto Cristobal
+ $5.25 Cargo por Etiqueta "Warning"
Port to Port Service
Rates do NOT include taxes, customs papers, permissions etc.
THE ROZO GROUP Container from Manzanillo to Cartagena
Contact: Guillermo Martinez gmartinez@therozogroup.com.pa
Transit Time: One day, shipping every weekend
Rates:
2 cars in a 40 foot container
$750 Freight
$200 Stuffing of the cars in Manzanillo
$37.45 Agency fee
$6 CSC
$227 Unstuffing of the cars in Cartagena
5% of the net freight (minimum $35)
$15 Doc Fee (pay at destination)
$58 per car as terminal services, 3 days free storage after which you pay $3.50 per day per car
The export paperwork should be done by a customs broker
The booking and delivery of the car to the terminal will be coordinated with Guillermo
Many people have used Guillermo's service, including Lost World Expedition's Lacey and Luis in Dec 2010, and everyone recommends him highly.
* Note: HLAG does not ship household goods, which a private car is included under. You can also try Maersk Sealand, Libra, CSAV. Crowley does not ship to South America.
NYK LINE (Mexico) RORO from Balboa to Buenaventura
Contact: Omar.Gonzalez@mx.nykline.com
Note: There is no Container Service via NYK Line for this route
Transit time: 2 days
Rates:
$500 per unit
Full Liner Terms (FLT)
- From vessel's Ramp at Loading Port, to vessel's Ramp at Discharge Port
- Any Tax and / or Dues, Wharfage and / or any transhipment cost at Loading and/ or Discharging ports to be from shippers/ consignee's account
Agent contacts below can provide more information about additional fees, services they provide, documentation etc.
Balboa, Panama
Katrina Wan
Freight Department - Import
Norton Lilly International (Panama), S.A.
AS AGENTS ONLY
E-Mail: kwan@norton-lilly.com
Tel. (507) 431-4500 / 4548
Fax.(507) 441-8598 / 6057
Buenaventura, Colombia
CAROLINA CERÓN ALVARADO.
TNC AS AGENTS OF NYK Line
tnc-bog@tnc.com.co
Phone: (57 1) 2966315 Ext.2312
Fax: (57 1) 2966316
Bogotá - Colombia
Tea is a shipping agent that can also help you arrange container shipping from Panama to Colombia.
Container shipping from Colon to Cartagena with Everlogistic
Cost for a shared 40 foot container (per car)
- Our cost is USD37.50 per Original House B/L per Car = 1 x 40´hq, USD75.00
- CNTR. SIZE DOOR OPEN: Width 2.343m and Height 2.585m
- USD 750.00 Ocean Frt. +
- USD 200.00 stuffing at MIT,
- USD 37.45 agency fee +
- USD 6.00 CSC at MIT
- USD 227.00 CSC IN Cartagena un-stuffing
- USD 58.00 Port Cartagena Authority will pay in Cartagena, Colombia
- USD 35.00 Terminal use. will pay in Cartagena, Colombia
- USD 15.00 Local Cartagena Charge. will pay in Cartagena, Colombia
Cost for a 20 foot container
- Our cost per 1 x 20´GP USD50.00
- CNTR. SIZE DOOR OPEN: Width 2.343m and Height 2.280m
- USD 600.00 Ocean Frt. +
- USD 100.00 stuffing at MIT,
- USD 37.45 agency fee +
- USD 6.00 CSC at MIT
- USD 172.00 CSC IN Cartagena un-stuffing
- USD 58.00 Port Cartagena Authority will pay in Cartagena, Colombia
- USD 35.00 Terminal use. will pay in Cartagena, Colombia
- USD 15.00 Local Cartagena Charge. will pay in Cartagena, Colombia
Destination must be paid and do not appear in the B/L, also remember that they have three days free storage after that you have to pay.
Contact Information:
- Gabriel Boris Jaramillo
- General Manager
- Ever Logistics, Inc.
- e-mail: ever.manager@hotmail.com
- e-mail: manager@everlogistics.net
- e-mail: boris_pa@hotmail.com
- Phone: (507) 431-0390 / 431-0391 / 431-0392 / 431-0393 / 431-0394
- Fax : (507) 431-0395
- Cel.: (507) 6550-9961
- Skype: gabrielboris1
Notes on this shipping agent from Jimmy:
I think we did things pretty fast we contacted the Boris at Everlogistic in Colon on Tuesday Mar 29. We went back to Panama city that day headed to the police station at 2:30pm and they told us to come back tomorrow morning for the inspection because they only do it in the mornings.
Mar 30, went back to police station at 930 to do the inspection finished at 10:00 but had to wait until 2 to get papers took another 1hr at that office
Mar 31, meet with Boris in Colon, he show us to the port and had a guy waiting there taking us to the 2 different customs office and finally to the port for final inspection we had to leave our keys because we're not allow to enter the container area. (its a new rule)
Apr 6 went to the office of Ami logistic in Cartegana they charge us $35 bucks made some photocopies and the bill of landing we proceeded to customs (note make sure if your shipping with someone get both names added to the bill of landing because customs turn us away) back to customs for an hour handed in our papers and than told to go to the port office just down the road to tell them we are picking up our cars. that took all our info. and told us to go to the big port holding our cars at 700 am next day and not to be late.
Apr 7, arrived a port 645 am the agent was expecting us and too our papers waited around 2 hours and paid $135 and told to go back to the custom office after 2 pm to get the permission papers. 130pm , early had a few beers waiting for their 2hr lunch break and when we arrived the girl that help us the day before told us we need more copies we got the copies an waited about 1 hrs for customs to give us the permission papers. went back to the nearby port office to get the release papers took another 1 hour. 430 pm now they told us the paper is valid for today only and we had to get car today or have to get the release paper again and pay late charge so we headed to the port that held our cars.
We found they same guy we dealt with in the morning he was about to get off but he called the workings in the port to drive our cars out took them like 2 hours to drive our cars out don't know why it took so long because they where out of container. finally got our cars at about 700pm. Apr 7.
It think we did things pretty fast had our cars in Panama contained and out of driving in Columbia in 1 week thanks to Boris, but he did give us the wrong address in Cartegana office make sure if you choose to use Everlogistic get the address for Ami in Cartegana.
Over all I would recommend Boris very fast professional and the price is the best.
Read more about how to find boat or air transportation across the Darien Gap, and also more about non-Darien Gap shipping options. Also check out SeaRates.com for additional international shipping options
Comments
#1 Odd Shipping
Hi, Has anyone ever tried to ship a whole bus? I plan to bus it down for the world cup.
#2 driving to Brazil via Panama Canal
...am going in circles trying to find out how to cross the canal w/my Econoline camper van and continue on to Brazil. I'm moving to Sao Paulo w/my dog and 2 cats. Information about the Darie Gap, 'shipping, etc., is very confusing!
Can anybody advise?
#3 driving the darine gap
Basically, you need to start sending mails to de agents that can make the crossing possible.
Re read the page and contact all the persons that are quoted explaining what you are trying to do. Usually, you will need to send it via a container. Sharing is cheaper in a 40 feet long container.
Start mailing!
Pedro
#4 Blue book/temporary import tax-Columbia
Thank you for ALL the information, it is great! However, i have been told there is an additional cost. On arrival at customs in Columbia you must pay for a temporary import tax, which is a percentage of the 'blue book' value of the vehicle , approx 20-30%. so not only are the shipping costs an additonal expence but this temporary import tax that must be paid on arrival in Columbia. can anyone please elighten me.
Thank you
#5 Response to Blue book/temporary import tax-Colombia
We shipped to Colombia from Panama 4 months ago and there were no hidden fees or taxes at the port. This might be some kind of scam or just a rumor. The only fees we had to pay in Colombia was an agent fee of around $40 (might depend on the company you go through) and the insurance for the car.
#6 Blue book/temporary import tax-Columbia
Thanks very much for that info.
#7 agreed - no blue book fee
When we imported our car we definitely did not have to pay a tax that had to do with the value of our car - we would have remembered that!
#8 RE: Temporary Import Tax
We are getting similar information (from a different agent). Here's our "destination" invoice. Note that we did not pay for any un-stuffing or similar to our agent in Panama. Somehow this all comes out to ~$410 per vehicle.
COSTOS DESTINO CARGA
Container "Un-stuffing fees"
THC NAVIERA USD 93.00 / CONTENEDOR / TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGE
Document Fee USD 67.00 / Documentation
EMISION BL USD 69.60 / BL ISSUE
RADICACION/ENDOSO/LIBERACION USD 122.00 / RELEASE
COMUNICACIONES USD 29.00 / COMMUNICATIONS
MANEJO USD 52.00 / BL / HANDLING
Vehicle Fees
Servicio acompañamiento aduanero de entrada USD 180.00 X vehículo / CUSTOMS ENTRY per VEHICLE
Si la salida es por IPIALES el servicio de acompañamiento de salida es de USD 180.00 X vehículo, si es por otra frontera se debe cotizar. / CUSTOMS EXIT per VEHICLE using IPIALES BORDER
Agent info (no english speaking staff):
JUDITH PEREZ
CALLE 29 NO. 24-56
BARRIO MANGA
Mobile: 312-6883554 / 321-2040645
Tel.: 575-6608483
You can also contact Ana Sofia at the main office in Bogota to the following
Ana Sofia Arias
importaciones.carga@trasladosinternacionales.com
Traslados Internacionales Ltda
PBX ( 571) 4288800
FAX (571) 4284292
#9 Cost to ship 1 Toyota Tundra
Cost to ship 1 Toyota Tundra Cartagena Colombia (shared a High Cube container, but costs here listed for 1 vehicle)
1 × 40 HC Shared
Port to Port Service
Handling: $87
BL: 25
Port Charges: 33
Documentation: 62
Blocking & Bracing: 150
Customs Exit: 62
IMO: 125
Ocean Freight: 550
Sub Total: 1,095
Sales Tax: 38
Total Linea: $1,133
Note: this doesn't include the "un-stuffing" on the Colombia side so is not readily comparable to other quotes
Agnet
Julio C. Sánchez
Logistics Specialist | PSLI - Panamá Soluciones Logísticas, S.A.
Calle D El Cangrejo, Edif. 13 - Local 2 a lado Hotel Marbella (PANAMA CITY)
France Field, Colon Free Zone (ZONA LIBRE)
___________________________________________________
Phone. (507) 223-8301 (507) 223-8302
Fax. (507) 223-8295
Email. ventas@pslint.net
Thoughts: Definately the more expensive option. Julio speaks excellent English and will respond immediately to phone calls or emails. He met us at our Hostel twice during the process. We did run into issues and this was critical for us (due to the new port rules and our size). Additionally he was there for every step in the process including rides to/from Colon. He handled everything for us basically and it made the whole process a breeze.
In the end (after the destination charges) our shipping costs were ~$1,600. Worth the extra cost? If you have any sort of off standard situation like we did with our truck camper dimension, probably yes. Otherwise you can still get your car or truck to Colombia for under $1,000 easily without the service.
#10 Panama to Ecuador shipping car as of May 2011
#11 language
Sounds like a lot of deals and working with people. Is there any chance you can get by speaking only English?
#12 Panama to Cartagena
We shipped our 24ft motorhome between Colon and cartagena twice (once down and once back)
We went RORO using Everlyn at Barwil.
At the Cartagena end we used a local customs agent
It's a small family business named Enlace Caribe. Luis and Sonja are the owners. They charged about $200 and were well worth the money. Don't try to do the formalities yourself unless you speak Spanish.
#13 Shipping from Colon to Cartagena 31 feet
Hello,
I plan to ship my motorhome at the end of November 2011!
I saw that you have done it several times, could you give me an idea of the price
Thanks a lot
Luc
#14 Our vehicle was about 23 Ft
Our vehicle was about 23 Ft long, cost a little under US$3000. Don't have the exact amount.
Rob Blackwell
#15 Hi! I want to ship my car
Hi! I want to ship my car from Panama to Colombia ASAP. Can you help me? Anyone wanting to share the cost of a container. Regards, Ivan.
#16 Cheap flight from Panama to Colombia
Do you have any information about small local airports offering inexpensive passenger flights between Panama and Colombia for prices around $50??
emails, telnumbers or anything?
thanks!
verdelunar@gmail.com
#17 I wonder how much it would
I wonder how much it would cost me to ship two camper vans to Panama. My brother and I would like to get our vans across Darien Gap so we could have a proper road trip once we get there, but I am not sure they would both fit in a single container ship....