Hello all, I'm new here and I am having trouble finding any info on getting around the temporary import permit in Argentina. I want to bring my bike down there (from Canada) and leave it there because I return every year. how is this possible ? would it be the same as selling a bike down there because either way when I leave the country I won't have my bike with me. Thanks for any help

FlashG, if you request 8 months stay on your temporary vehicle import permit at border or with aduana at port or airport, you will be able to legally exit Argentina without your bike. There are excellent safe parking options available in Buenos Aires through this web site.

I am currently working with the Argentine legislature to extend the 8 month stay for a foreign registered bike to ONE YEAR. Please see my posts this region under:

Buy new or used in Argentina and legally tour all of South America ( 1 2 3 ... Last Page)

Good luck private message me for aditional info. Xfiltrate

eat, Drink and Be Careful

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

I think you just might be asking too much there flashG. To permanently keep a vehicle in a country other than the one it is registered in is never easy, and rarely wise.

If you were to be stopped for any reason, and paperwork checked, the cops and customs would throw the book at you. Argentina has a pretty well developed legal infrastructure. You can only push your luck so far.

Why not buy in Argentina?

Simon

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Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp

flashG, if you do overstay your 8 month Temporary Vehicle Import Permit, and your documents are checked at one of the random check points throughout Buenos Aires or less frequently throughout the provinces of Argentina your bike will be impounded by police and it might take you months and a lot of money to sort it out.

Buying in Argentina gives you the right to leave your bike in Argentina forever.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

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

Just leave your bike in Paraguay for the time you need to go and cross back to Argentina again. On that border, Paraguay doesnt emit or ask any import documents.

thanks for the info. That paraguay idea doesnt sound bad. I think I will continue with the plan of sending a bike down as opposed to buying there. To me it seems crossing the border every 8 months for the temp. permit is less hassle than possibly not being able to cross borders with an argentina registered bike. I'm mostly in mendoza and it is not far to chile.

Xfiltrate - I am planning to tour SA for about 6 months, park the bike in BA for about 6 months, then return for another 6 months of touring.

Can a person tour Argentina, cross into Uruguay (for example) then re-enter Argentina, obtaining a new 8 month temporary vehicle import permit?

Is there a waiting period between exiting and re-entering?

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Bill Atchison
Red Deer, Alberta Canada
www.backroadexplorers.ca

BackroadExplorer, what you offer is a very good, workable plan. Thanks for your great web site. What a pleasure!

I have noted that you are posting from Canada, and assume you will be riding a bike registered in Canada with Canadian Title and Plates. As a Foreign Tourist riding a foreign registered motorcycle (Canada, USA, EU, Britain etc) you can request and be issued a Argentine Temporary Vehicle Import Permit for 8 months. This may or may not be automatic, sometimes customs officials give a 3 month TVIP to Foreign Tourists, you might have to ask specifically for an 8 month TVIP.

Yes, a Foreign Tourist riding a Canadian registered bike can cross from Argentina into Uruguay, and return to Argentina the same day, or whenever. And, upon each entry an Argentine 8 month Temporary Vehicle Import Permit can be requested and issued.

You must also obtain another 3 month tourist visa for youself as well as an another Argentiine Temporary Vehicle Import Permit for your bike. Explain that you are continuing your tour of Argentina, if asked.

The only problems reported have been by Ex Pats who traverse the same border year after year, for their 3 month visa, while actually living permanently in Argentina.

Doing "in and outs" of Argentina with your foreign registered bike is allowed by Argentine law and is done every day by foreigners with their motos/vehicles.

You are also permitted, by Argentine law to exit Argentina and leave your bike in Argentina, as long as the bike has a valid Argentine Temporary Vehicle Import Permit.

I hope this answers your questions. Welcome to Argentina

Looking forward to meeting you, and providing professional motorcycle parking/storage, if needed. Ed and Elisa

Eat, Drink, and Be Careful xfiltrate

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

Excellent. Thanks for the concise explaination. We will be in touch once we get to Argentina.

One more point of clarification. I should be able to get an 8 month TVIP but only a 3 month maximum tourist visa. Is that correct?

Could I apply for an extension with-in the country or would I need to do an "In & Out" if I want to stay in Argentina more than 3 months at a time?

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Bill Atchison
Red Deer, Alberta Canada
www.backroadexplorers.ca

BackroadExplorer, you are correct the tourist visa is issued for 3 months, but the Temporary Vehicle Import Permit is for as long as 8 months, if requested at border.

I can only speak for the City of Buenos Aires, regarding the renewal of the 3 month tourist visa while in country.

At Immigrations here, last year, it was possible for a foreign tourist to renew their tourist visa without leaving Argentina.

I do not have up to date information.

The process is to find out the current hours for Immigration because sometimes people are turned away after 1PM. When you arrive at Immigrations, ask the information desk person, where to go to renew your tourist visa. Immigrations is a crowded, uncomfortable place, and you may have to wait , so bring your own water and snacks.

I remember someone telling me it costs about $50.00 USD, but I am not certain if this information is correct. Also, be aware that several agencies like the Registro Civil have been closed at times... due to the N1H1 flu scare. So, do not leave your renewal until the last day.

I do not know if foreign tourist visas can be renewed in other cities of Argentina.

Sorry, I do not have up to date info on the renewal of a 3 month tourist visa. Perhaps, someone with more up to date info will post here.

Looking forward to meet you. Ed and Elisa

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

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