I recently bought a bike in Lima, it is registered in California. Unfortunately, the 'certificado de internamiento temporal' (the visa of the bike) got lost when the ex-owner sent me all the papers. So I have the certificate of title that proves that I am the owner, and the contract of transfer signed by a lawyer. I am planning to ride to Bolivia soon and cross the border in Copacabana and I wonder if I am going to be in trouble.
A friend of mine called Aduana, vehicle registration office or something like that, and they said that it was not possible for the ex-owner to sell the bike. But it was possible for the ex-owner to send me an official document signed by a lawyer saying that he allows me to leave Peru with his bike. This document is to be sent by mail and it would take a couple of weeks. The other problem is because I don't have this certificado de internamiento temporal, i dont know by when i have to be out, but I believe its more or less in 2 weeks.
I am thinking about riding to Copacabana, showing that i am the owner and that i lost the certificado de internamiento temporal, and using a bit of US dollars. Anyone had a similar experience recently?

Rather frowned upon for a foreigner to sell a foreign vehicle to another foreigner so subterfuge is used to get around the law.
eg never produce a bill of sale dated while the vehicle was in the country because that just proves illegal act.. Use a poder plus the original unexpired TIP to get out of the country and then use new documents and plates to get into the next country. TIP usually has name and passport and license plate number on them, but often they don't bother checking on exit. The TIPs are computerised so I guess if claim it lost they will just print out another one and then depends if they start checking all the details to make sure everything is OK.

Not wishing to alarm you unduly, but it is fairly widely known, or at least rumoured, that Peru doesn't mess around arguing about expired TIPs, it just confiscates your vehicle even for one day late. Maybe urban myth?

The Peru aduana at Copocana was so badly hungover from his sister's birthday party that he couldn't fill out our form straight and had 4 goes to get it error free. Maybe he has lots of sisters and you will get lucky

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Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

To follow on from Tony Lee.

Dollars or hints do not always work

HU Traveller Two Pegs to Patagonia's Ride Tale

We have also stayed with a customs officer in Peru, back in 2011, and he is adamant they are winning against corruption.

I'd suggest selling the bike to a local and finding something a bit more legal.

Buy, YMMV :-)

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

It's no myth, Peruvian aduana will confiscate your beloved motorcycle if you are one day over the TVIP expiration date. A friend over stayed the TVIP by one day and lost his bike this spring. He hired a lawyer in Puno, hung out for a couple of weeks, no luck. Peruvian law is very clear and strictly enforced.

On the other hand, I meet two Mexican riders in Copacabana, Bolivia, with a wild story. One of their bikes had been stored in Peru for months and months. When they went to leave Peru the aduana officials said the bike was subject to seizure. The Mexicans did some fast talking. Here where it helps to be fluent in Spanish and know how much you can bend the rules. They told aduana they would return to Lima and straighten everything out, turned around and got out of the border area pretty quick. I don't know the details, but somehow they found a guide and crossed into Bolivia under starlight. Next they had the good fortune to meet a guy in Copacabana who knew a guy on the Bolivian side of the border... Long story short, they got papered in Bolivia, without officially leaving Peru.

Good luck getting your bike out of Peru. Don't waste an extra day. I always wondered if you can change license plates between borders and use your title when entering the next country... Let us know how is works out for you.

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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride

A few months ago I crossed from Bolivia to Peru at Copacabana. The Peruvian Aduana man was fishing for a bribe, despite all my papers being in order. I played the usual dumb gringo and he eventually gave up trying to explain that he had no money for his lunch.

In order to get past the barrier I had to open and close it myself (it was bloody heavy!). There was no Peruvian official in the street. Maybe you can do the same?

FWIW the Bolivians did a visual inspection of the vehicle chassis number and numberplate and compared it to what's in the vehicle paperwork to ensure they match. On all the entries/exits into and out of Bolivia. Bol to/from Chile at 2 different borders, Bol to/from Peru and Bol to/from Argentina.

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We have done the plate and papers swap a couple of times. Problem is many borders are colocated, so there is no opportunity, Still plenty left though

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Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map

For info to the OP. At Copacabana: the border posts are close (+/- 200 meters), but out of sight of each other.

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