Hi javkap, hope you enjoyed the Dakar. The Irish team finished, and I am in Spain now and will soon visit the Irish team in Ireland. We will lift a few pints, I suppose.

I understand and respect your position regarding my last post. But perhaps a review of the actual law might help you understand what I have posted on this thread. While I welcome your comments I do not agree that my last post "is completely wrong."

Here are two different descriptions (in English) of the importation laws for Argentine citizens, who have resided abroad... I was writing of "returning Argentine citizens", not all Argentine citizens, sorry , i omitted the word returning.... I should have clarified that.... and I was writing of foreigners with permanent foreign resident status, regarding the importation and nationalization of vehicles and motorcycles. I have verified what is written below with a reputable Argentine despachante very recently.


Yes, a returning Argentine, within certain time limits, can import one used foreign registered vehicle or motorcyle and so can each foreigner with permanent foreign resident status.

Thanks for your comments.


.. Cars and Motorcycles:
Returning Argentine citizens:
The importation of vehicles for Argentine citizens will be allowed if customer has been living
overseas/abroad for more than 1 year and they have not returned to Argentina for more than 60 days
within that period. (Customer will pay import taxes and duties).
Foreign citizens:
The importation of vehicles for foreign citizens, will be allowed if customer has obtained his
«permanent resident visa». (Customer will pay import taxes and duties).
Documents required for the definitive importation:
. Original certificate of residence issued by the Argentine Consulate. (Argentine returning citizens)
. Original title deed or certificate of vehicle from country or state of residence.
. Original invoice.
Foreigners with temporary visa:
If temporary visa is obtained, the vehicle may be imported temporarily. No duties or taxes would be
paid on such temporary import. The period under current regulations may be extended for an
additional period. If a permanent visa is granted, the vehicle may be nationalized, converting the
temporary import into a final importation. In such case it will pay import taxes and duties.
Documents required for the temporary importation:
. Original title deed or certificate of vehicle from country or state of residence
. Original invoice.
IMPORTANT: Only 1 (one) automobile or motorcycle can be imported by persons over 21 years old
persons. Original title deed or certificate and original invoice, must be at the name of consignee.

ARGENTINE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR IMPORTATION OF VEHICLES

DIPLOMATS are able to import used or new cars with a Diplomatic Franchise issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

RETURNING ARGENTINE CITIZENS may import used vehicles only, under the same rules that apply to Argentine citizens returning.

PERSONS WITH PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS may import used vehicles only, under the same rules that apply to Argentine citizens returning.

PERSONS WITH TEMPORARY VISA may import used cars under temporary admission. The car is only allowed temporary admission for the same period the client has the Visa and can be renewed if the client renews the Visa. Before the visa expires, the vehicle must be removed from Argentina. VEHICLE MUST KEEP THE ORIGINAL PLATES.
General Requirements:

Car must enter Argentina within (6) six months after shipper/owner arrival.
Vehicle and its documentation must be under shipper's name.
Importation of new cars is subject to Ministry of Commerce regulations and is limited to certain types of vehicles. New vehicles can not be imported as part of the move


Documentation Required for Argentine Citizens and Foreign Citizens with Permanent Residence:

1) Owner’s original passport.

2) 2 Original B/L’s.

3) Complete car documentation including the property title under the name of the shipper.

Original purchase invoice.
Certificate of Residence issued by the Argentine Consulate at origin country ( for Argentine citizens returning only)
Note: All documents that are not issued in Spanish must be translated by an official Translator and certified by the Argentine College of Translators.


Duties / Taxes:

Approximately 80% of car CIF value for normal cars , 100% for diesel cars and 65% for motorcycles.

Argentine citizens returning can use this franchise (always paying taxes and duties) only once per lifetime and Customs will authorize just one for each adult member of the family.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Note this thread will be watched. "Reasonableness" will be a required criteria!

If you get it, you know - if you're wondering "what the heck is he talking about" then no worries, it's all sorted!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I understand the problem - at the same time, there is a lot of good info and people do want to know. The thread has had a LOT of readers!

Perhaps you could do a post that encapulates the basics that ARE known and confirmed?

And I could always delete the posts that are misleading / wrong / irrelevant. If you and xfiltrate give me a list I'll look at it. And I know you two will disagree, so will keep that well in mind!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I have to say here, that when I wanted to sell my bike, this was the first thread I came to, but found it the most confusing peice of writing I have ever read. What a normal traveller wants to know is how to buy and sell a bike down there in SA. NOT all of them care to buy a new bike, but most of them wish to ride that bike beyond that countries border.

All they want to know is the process in buying a used bike that someone else wants to sell. In fact, a buyer and seller normally find eachother quite easy via this website.

This has nothing to do with the import export laws of new bikes. All they need to know is the precise process involved in 'doing' the paperwork that is needed for the bike to enter the country in one bikers name, and leave with another bikers name.

If I had followed the information supplied by the OP, then I would never have been able to sell my bike down there, because all my questions were answered with more involved hard to read answere, which was really hard to understand when you have limited internet access.

So, I guess what this forum needs is a thread that outlines the EXACT processes needed for the deal to go through, even though there are some grey areas involved.

But, is that allowed on this site, or will there be legal issues if the method is mentioned here?

Cheers
TravellingStrom

__________________
www.travellingstrom.com

In the past, this thread and several other other threads, have reflected the confusion discovered regarding the "laws" of buying and selling foreign registered vehicles/motorcycles in Argentina. I accept full responsibility for my comments and apologize for any confusion.

Waterfox, himself, an Agentine registered "despachate" (importer) stated in his recent post: "I am, funily enough, a registered importer with the Argie Aduana and have NO idea of the law....."

Because the actual laws are so confusing, I will no longer respond to questions regarding buying and selling foreign registered vehicles/motorcycles in Argentina.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a moral and legal interpretation on my part, and should not be interpreted as anything but my own personal decision.

I will continue to assist anyone, foreign tourists, permanent foreign residents or Argentines interested in buying and selling Argentine registered vehicles/motorcycles in Argentina.

I will continue my work with the Argentine legislature and the President's office regarding the passing of clear legislation that will permit foreign tourists to purchase new or used Argentine vehicles/motorcycles and then be legally able to secure a Temporary Vehicle Export Permit for the purpose of touring other South American countries and returning to Argentina to park or sell their Argentine registered vehicle/motorcycle.

TravellingStrom, hundreds, if not thousands of readers have benefited from this thread. Many foreign tourists have flown into Buenos Aires, legally purchased new or used Argentine registered motorcycles or vehicles and have had fantastic overland experiences. And then, legally sold their Argentine registered motorcycle or vehicle in Argentina or just legally parked in Argentina until their next tour.

Grant has asked me to simplify my comments. I pray this clarification of the new direction of this thread helps.

xfiltrate

__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

In my opinion what you are suggesting could be a solution most probably, but the Argentinian bikes (due to high import taxes) are much more expensive and only few models are available compared to wide selections of models available in Europe and USA

True - but remember if you want to bring your own bike, you'll pay a lot for shipping it in and out. That can more than cover the difference in price. If you're not "married" to your bike, it's often better/cheaper to arrive, buy anything that rolls, travel and then sell when you leave. And most importantly, you'll sell in the same market you bought - therefore the price is irrelevant, because the only loss is the wear and tear.

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

This Is exactly what I need to know, but apparently nobody Knows!