Originally Posted by Tybalt

so I made it out. FINALLY. I went to the AFIP with a local who was a bit more pushy than I had been. He insisted in speaking to a boss and said that we understood there was a fine (I had hoped they would understand my medical reasons and waive it - but at this point, 3 weeks later, I just became desperate to get going again) and demanded to know how much it was so we could pay it. The boss of the AFIP sumarios talked to the boss at the deposito and within a day they assessed the value of my bike ($3000, despite KBB value of $2k). I had to pay 30% plus 50% import, or roughly 90% of what I actually originally paid for the bike. But I got a bit lucky. Somehow when it went to the accounting clerk, and she gave me the slip I had to take with cash to the bank, it was only 86m pesos (~$1300). Still a ton. I had a friend western union me the money, and ran to the bank, but it closed at 1. Went back the next day when it opened, waited for 3 hours, paid, got a stamp, went back to AFIP accounting clerk, she did her magic with tons of stamps and photo copies, then took it to the Sumarios, who did more stamping, then it had to be signed by a judge, and finally sent to the Deposito to fill out a new import form giving me 48 hours to leave. Timing was very tight, but once people actually started working on it, it only took 2 days. They said most people wait 6 months! Also the fines are generally too high for anyone to actually pay. Thank God I have an old, cheap motorcycle! Leaving the country took a bit longer but all my paperwork checked out and I finally was free. Nightmare experience, and cost me thousands and thousands of dollars in lost time, hotels, food, changed flights, fees, taxis, etc. If I had to do it again, I'd save more time to get back in time (I only gave myself a week, and then when I had my accident I lost it), and I'd try to run through a small boarder vs go to the aduana in town. No idea if itd work, but it seems to have for others and my way sucked. Lesson learned