Long term storage in Ecuador
 

Good Morning to All!!!

I will be departing British Columbia for points south in September. My plan is make it as far as Ecuador before I have to fly back to Canada for work and then return after a period of time and continue my journey south. My question is this, how long can I leave my motorbike in Ecuador? I have a safe and secure residence where I can leave it. Does anyone out there know if I would need a special permit??? Is it possible to apply for a permit(?) allowing my bike to remain in either country for an extended period of time without me?

Any help / advice on this would be greatly appreciated! It is a key issue for me at the moment and would like to resolve it and put it behind me.


Thanks for your help,
Hank

long term storage
 

Hi Hank,

This need has been a topic of discussion in the Central America forum lately. An experienced rider may reply with the precise details for Ecuador. Chances are they will say you have 90 days. Not sure if the temporary importation period can be extended in Ecuador *and* if someone can extend the period for you (while you are in Canada.)

I have done some general research and believe one answer to this need is finding a customs or bonded warehouse. These can usually be found near a border or not far from the international airport for the given country's capital.

Here is an example for a bonded warehouse in Ecuador: Bonded Warehouse Ecuador, Bonded Warehouse Ecuador Products, Bonded Warehouse Ecuador Suppliers and Manufacturers at Alibaba.com

You'll need to do some foot work. Contact a few of these services and see if they will store a motorcycle. What is the security and is the motorcycle covered in the event that it is stolen. It is my understanding the a bonded warehouse is responsible for the goods left, but you will want to understand the level of responsibility up front. Of course you will want to know the rate for storing and paperwork requirements. How much time to process the papers and what documents you need to supply. I corresponded with a rider in Nicaragua and read about another in Costa Rica which lead me to believe the warehouse takes care of all of the paperwork Your mileage may differ.

In between Colombia and Venezuela (the frontier west of Maracaibo VN) there is a storage facility, covered and open air. I rode with a guy who left his bike there for 8 months. The garage is between countries, or close enough that is falls under some kind of free trade zone. Perhaps there is a like garage between Colombia and Ecuador.

Share what you learn by posting here. This is a popular item in the South American forum too.