refused entry into peru at arica/tacna
 

I acquired my bike in Santiago off a fellow tourer who had brought the bike down from Colorado. The best solution we came up with for the transaction was with a legal authorization stating I have permission to travel in all the countries between Argentina and USA.

Arrived at the arica/tacna border last friday (heading for peru) and was refused entry. Told there was a chance on monday so slept at the frontera for three nights (great fun - although was amusing when I asked an official for a cigarette and he can back a minute later with an entire pack of previously confiscated cigarrettes). This morning somebody made a call but unfortunately it was another no.

The border guard said mine was a common problem and I swear ive read elsewhere that other people have had a similar problem. Just wondering if anyone had any information that could help me or could put me in touch with someone who has been in the same situation.

Is it worth trying another border? Am I going to have to completely bypass Peru i.e. mission it through bolivia/brazil/venezuela - is this even possible?

You'll have the same problem all the way if the bike isn't in your name. How about Photoshop and a decent printer? And enter at a different border. Or get the previous owner to register the bike in your name at his address in CO.

That's a bugger. I can't offer any advice concerning the bike but as soon as you get the chance, take a look at your passport under a UV light.
Sometimes, they mark "troublemakers" with UV ink on the edge of the pages, if you've been marked as such, you may have problems at other borders too.

No problems at all, even Argentina
 

Hi Pal,

i bought a california registered bike in Buenos Aires, the old owner gave me the original title, a poa and a donation paper.

Up to now i went into paraguay, then brasil, uruguay, again argentina, chile, bolivia and now i´m in peru.

I had no serious problems at all with the paperwork, Argentina was a bit harder the second time, but i the end they gave me a driving permission for the bike for 6 month, i was not the owner of the bike, but the user, fair enough for me.

Faking the title and showing a photocopy is not my style, i always speak honest to them and sometimes i tell a little story, that the bikes are so expensive, that´s why my mate and i share a bike.

Hi Man,

Yes to use self made bike papers worked for me as well after they did not accept my power of authority. Then you dont have to bribe the man.

Motorbike trip around Southamerica: Chile and Argentina part 1

Have fun, Tobi

Hey Man - which border did you use to get into Peru? I ended up biking up into Bolivia and got in with absolutely no problems - just trying to work out my best plan off attack from here.