General Cycling Discussion - International travel with 2 bikes: bringing home someone else's bike

Hi,
Just been asked by a friend if I can bring their bike/box back from China after a race. i will have my own bike box too and wondered if customs etc might prove troublesome. I realise there are risks taking someone else's stuff, but other than that, has anyone else travelled with 2 bikeboxes or more - and any advice about doing it/not doing it??

Personally, I'd never be responsible for transporting someone else's property, if it has to go through customs, the FED's, or any kind of official checking system where I could possibly face criminal charges or fines.

Warning!....Warning!...Warning!

Beyond that, there's no crime in owning and transporting more than one bike. You'll just have to pay for your transported cycles...That's all!

As long as you are sure your friend doesn't try to sneak back anything illegal, that if something out of your control damages the bike you are not responsible for it, and that he pays any and all costs, you should be fine.

And you want to be there when he packs the bike.

Me, he would have to be a good friend as opposed to an acquaintance. I wouldn't do that for somebody I don't get to give him a hard time about it on a regular basis.

Which Customs? New Zealand , or the US or where?

I'll be bringing it back to Canada - so Canada customs. Maybe I will phone them, although I'm sure they will give me the same advice re not bringing someone else's stuff for them, (?unless I watch them pack it)...

If I really, really had to bring someone elses bike through airline security and customs I would do more than watch them pack. I would search the accessible tubes to make sure it was clean (frame, seatpost, bars, stem).
If I asked a friend to take my bike through customs I would not be insulted if he had to reassure himself. I get paranoid enough packing my own stuff in case I leave something I shouldnt.

I think I'd find a way to say sorry, I can't carry your bike. OTOH if the bicycle is used I believe US customs to be quite reasonable, and would expect their Canadian counterparts to be even more so. If you and he did not purchase the bike outside of Canada, I think you'll pay nothing at all, so I wouldn't worry in that regard.
I've over the years carried several letters for friends back to the States and been happy to do so on the condition the envelope is sealed in front of me. Everyone has been understanding of this requirement of mine. Brining a bike back would be much more problematic.