Argentina & Uruguay Temp Import,db system update, Storage in Colonia Uruguay
Argentina's ADUANA (customs service) has updated their database system for temporary imports. I've kept various motos in Arg for years. I occasionally leave the country and then come back in thus renewing the motorcycle's temporary permit. The 3 month temporary permit was automatic (logic: a tourist receives a 90 day tourist visa so why would you need more...) On several occasions I've requested the full 8 month permit and usually received it. When I've traveled into BsAs via the Buquebus ferry from Uruguay the port's system automatically issued 8 month permits.
Last month I traveled to Uruguay via Gualeguaychú (a city a few hours ride from Buenos Aires on a tributary of the Uruguay River) later that day when re-entering Argentina my records were flagged - a supervisor came over and reviewed my history and politely explained the purpose of the temporary import system and that I had exceeded the limit (the law says you are cumulatively allowed 8 months). I was in a bad spot and he was generous - he issued an additional one month permit. Thhat specific bike had been in and out for >18 months.
Yesterday I traveled to Colonia, Uruguay and checked out the few storage garages. Two were tourist auto rental agency related and within 100 meters of the entrance to the port; one was 80 peso (if paid by the month) per day to leave the bike in an open but covered shed the other was 150 peso per day to leave it in an old warehouse. I went to two moto parts stores looking for an alternative and was referred to: Mario Alberto Garage, address: Alberto Mendez 127 (and corner of Manuel Lobo). Price: 100 Uruguay peso per day ( today's exchange rate is 21.5 pesos per dollar). It's a mom & pop garage behind their home. The owner was gracious and we parked the bike inside a building and then he went and got a tarp and covered it. He gave me a receipt and a good feeling so off I went.
Regarding the temporary import into Uruguay. It's always been an automatic year - this time the aduana officer paged through my passport and questioned my about purpose, length of stay, blah blah. At the end of the discussion he issued a six month temporary permit.
I'll update this post when I retrieve the bike in about a month and try to bring it back into Argentina again after it's little reprieve in Uruguay.
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