The Colombian situation is maybe not as simple as others have recently experienced. Have had a frustrating day today visiting the various Dian customs offices in Bogota and with no satisfactory outcome.
My situation is as follows. I entered the country in Cartegena and received only a 30 day visa rather than the normal 60 at Bogota airport. The validity of the temporary importation permit for the bike is for the same amount of time as the visa and I was informed today that without a visa you cannot have the import permit.
No problem! Get a visa extension and then another importation permit. "Not so fast" said the immigration people. Sadly the visa extension is only available in multiples of 30 days and this would expire while I was out of the country leaving me with an illegally imported bike. The only solutions I have been offered are to return to Cartegena and try an extension there or to go to Venezuala for a day and come back. Neither of these are convenient or feasible.
Hope this helps someone else! Maybe somebody else can help me. Only got 2 more days in Bogota.
[This message has been edited by mattpope (edited 14 July 2004).]
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