carnet information on South America
 

Hello fellow travellers,I have heard through the grapevine that you dont need a carnet for South America.If i bought a bike in Chile i could ride up to Ecuador without a Carnet as such.Is this true,Does anyone have the real story on this issue?Thanks Ash

You're not listening to the right grapevine - on this site we have many bits of info on the carnet situation, and you'd KNOW you don't need it to do that.

You DO need / should have a carnet to FLY into Ecuador or Argentina.

Search the site for carnet using the search box up top of every page, and you'll get everything you could possible want on the subject.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I travelled round South America at the end of 2002 without a carnet having bought my bike (Honda Falcon - brilliant) in Brazil.

Bad point: It took nearly three weeks to get the paperwork in order -- mainly, the CEP which means I am now a Brazilian taxpayer(!) for which I needed 'proof' of residency. Got that via a combination of the guy selling me the bike and the 'despachante' (despather) who handles th paperwork on your behalf.

Good point: Riding on a 'Mercosur'-registered bike meant I sailed through all borders with minimum fuss and no extra costs - taxes etc. No questions asked abouta British passport/ Brazilian bike.

Bad point: Argentine car drivers aim straight for you if you have Brazilian numberplates!

Email me if you want more info--

--Mike

If you dont want to get stuck for a coeple of days, and you dont have a Carnet to go to Columbia, you should fly the Bike from Panama to Bogotha, and no other city in Columbia per GIRAC. The perfect and cheap way to fly the Bike on either way (250 dollars) in all other ports it costs you at least 5 days waiting!!! I have heard these experiences from friends who travel these days

Ash:

I'm from USA bought a bike in Santiago and registerd in my name. I have got an equivilent of US social security number (free and easy) and registered bike. Bike is now stored near Santiago waiting for me to come back... Give me a shout and I'll give you phone number of a person who will help you get the SS# and will walk you through paperwork. I traveld Argentina,Peru,Bolivia, Chile without Carnet. Didn't get to Equador or Boliiva(yet).
Good luck