How do you transfer bike registration in SA?
 

I have tried to figure out if it's possible to sell a foreign registrated bike somewhere in SA. From reading the posts I find that it is very difficult to do so (at least legally).

However some suggest that selling from one foreigner to another is possible and from the forum posts it seems that people are able to buy/sell bikes traveller to traveller in SA.

But how is it possible. How can I transfer an American or European registrated bike to another foreigner?? If the bike is in my passport will I be able to "get it out" by selling to another foreigner?

Hi AnderZen!

A way to do it is to make false paper in the name of the new owner. Police at borders have no idea of how the paper for your bike look in your country.

Then you and the new owner go on the bike for a ride to exit the country you are in. At the border, you give them the legal importation paper of your bike on the way out. You are now free! Before going to the new country, you switch driver and the new owner present his false paper at the new border. He is now owning the bike. Could be as simple as that in South America.

Patrick

Thanks for the reply. However personally I'm not prepared to make a transfer that's not legal - don´t want to risk legal matters over money.

Is there not a legal way to do this??

Carta Poder
 

I wouldn't worry about the money aspect too much. Once the cash has been handed over, you are right out of your home jursidiction, and with "possession being nine tenths of the law", and all that. It really is how things look that is most important.

You can, however, depending on the country, visit a notario and have a "carta poder" drawn up, (cost: about $10)which will transfer all rights and responsibilities in connection with the vehicle. If it makes you feel better draw up a contract between yourselves, in a language preferable to yourselves, stating in which country the contract is enforceable. All that remains to be done is cross the border together.

Thanks! This might be a way to do it! Not entirely legal I guess, but still better than making false papers, I think ;-)

Is this how everyone is doing it crossing borders to switch ownership?

What about the title registration it will originally by in my name - will that not be a problem for the buyer (and perhaps for me too)?

As legal as anything else
 

The reason for crossing the border together is to show that the vehicle leaves the country, to get it stamped out in your passport, (anulling any complications for you), and getting the bike stamped into the buyers passport, which means temporary importation becomes their problem. The original title document forms the "root" of ownership and that will be referred to in the Carta Poder. I bought a Canadian bike in Uruguay from a Dane, and after travelling through 12 countries without a problem, left the bike with a German in Guatemala. Depending on where the bike is from, there is nothing to stop you informing the authorities in the originating country, of the change.

Suerte

Thanks for the reply. The border control in country B will easily from the stamps be able to see that you left the border 100 meters away in country A with a bike and that you're entering country B with out one. I guess this is no problem when that's what people do.

I have been wondering about the paperwork switch as well and appreciate this thread spelling things out. I also thought Stretcher's comment... I bought a Canadian bike in Uruguay from a Dane, and after travelling through 12 countries without a problem, left the bike with a German in Guatemala...was fabulous.

Why, thank you very much!

Stretcher
Your welcome and it's true. I think about sitting in the kitchen with my oldest friend and talking with her about international traveling and mentioning the buying-travelling-selling saga of your bike. I would be sure to be met with a blank stare and a change of subject. There are so many things that don't translate, or are just not up for discussion back home. At least at HU it's good to be in the company of other like minded people. Almost makes me feel normal. Not a bad thing to be every once and a while.

Sorry Ander, didn't mean to take over the thread with philisophical wanderings. Have you figured out which boarder you'll do the switcheroo? I'm thinking Argentina and Chili.

No worries ;-) If I'm gonna do it I think Argentina / Uruguay near Buenos Aries would be most convenient as many people start or end thier pan american tour there.

Hey AnderZen,
That's a good idea.

Any idea how long it would take to ride reasonalby fast from BA to Ushuaia to ruta 40 back to BA? Probably more than 2 1/2 weeks huh?

Cheers
Susan