I know some countrys its ok and others its a big no no to sell your bike to a local. Has anyone any experiance of selling a bike in Peru ? I have a local guy showing interest in buying my UK registerd bike . What would I need to do in the way of paperwork ( UK and Peru ) ?
thanks kito

Hello Kito,

My trip from Vancouver to South America ended a few weeks back in Peru when a van crossed into my lane and collided with me on while on my way to Cuzco. Anyway, that is another story. My beloved 2008 KLR was badly damaged and unrideable. After trucking it to Cuzco it was decided the expense of repairing it, plus the time needed to fix it, meant that financially the best option was to sell what was left of it. With the help of an Australian biker, who had contacts in Cuzco, the KLR was sold to a local mechanic for $1,000. The fact of the matter was that selling it to him would be problematic. Supposedly buying a bike from a foreigner was near to impossible for a Peruvian to do, as the Government had tightened the regulations substantially. A Peruvian risked jail if all the complicated paperwork was not in order. How did we get around it? I “donated” the bike to him. With the help of a notary a contract was typed up stating that I donated the bike to the mechanic. The Australian spoke Spanish well so I knew it was all legit. I signed a form, for the mechanic’s benefit, stating that he had paid me the said amount. I also had to surrender the licence plate and original registration. In all it took a few days for the notarised documents and sale to be completed. He took the bike away legally and hopefully it will eventually be back on the road. Hope that offers some insight into Peruvian bureaucracy.

Regards, Mike.

can I ask if you donated the bike to him how is it possible to sign that he paid you ? was your name cleard from the temp import papers ? did anyone have to pay an import tax ?
thanks kito

Hello Kito,

The form the mechanic had me sign to acknowledge he had paid me the price for the bike was done a few days before I signed the notarized documents. He actually paid me before I had signed anything. In theory I could have done a runner, but he knew that after the crash I was in no shape to do much more than hobble about. There was nothing legal about the form we both signed. In fact I believe it was created at home, more of a receipt really for his benefit. Maybe my signature was proof of sorts. So yes, you are right in thinking that this form had nothing to do with the donation process. Not a donation if you pay for it. As for my name being cleared from the temporary import papers, I am of the understanding it would be. The notarized papers would allow the mechanic to register the bike legally. He was very adamant about that. Besides running his shop he also ran a motorcycle tour business which is where the bike would be used. It was explained to me that if the bike was not legal and the police pulled him over he would be in a lot of bother, so it was in his interest to be above board with the paperwork. Realistically, the only way I shall ever truly know is if I enter Peru again with a different bike, which I may do one day. When I went through Immigration at Lima airport I was concerned they might raise the issue of the bike and not let me leave Peru. Nothing happened, and I had been told earlier that Immigration and Aduana are separate. There are a few grey areas, I am aware of that, and some might say it all seems a bit dodgy, but I have confidence the process was completed legally. I am afraid I can’t answer the import tax question. All I know is that I did not pay anything. I think that my story may put you off selling in Peru. Hopefully my experience is worth something to you, or anyone else for that matter.

Regards, Mike.

thank you verry much for your info . hope you get well soon and back on the road

Seems like in Bolivia and Paraguay, due to corruption, selling a foreign vehicule is fairly easy and quick. I had friends of mine selling a 4x4 in Asuncion within a few days. I got asked many times in Tarija and Asuncion if i was willing to sell my motorcycle. Iguazu on this forum deals regularly with foreigners willing to sell their motorcycle.

does anyone have any similar experience of selling a bike in Columbia?
I have a Bolivian bike that I want to sell but understand it can be very difficault and import taxes are high.
thanks

I have absolutely no experience with any of this, but I did have at least a dozen strangers seriously offer to buy my USA-plated motorcycle in Colombia (2002 Kawasaki ninja 250). When I asked a Colombian friend about this, he said they would just take the plates off another motorcycle and they would never have any problems or have to pay import duties.

I do believe it would likely be difficult to sell 100% legally.