Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Selling a bike in Chile Selling a bike in Chile
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Dec 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Algiers, Algeria
Posts: 16
Selling a bike in Chile
I drove a BMW 1100GS down from the USA and was planning to sell it here in Santiago, Chile. Does anyone have any information regarding the importation or sale of bikes in Santiago, Chile or other countries in South America.
  #2  
Old 25 Dec 2001
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
Ah, now I know where you are - I just replied to another post that didn't mention your location.

The problem is the stamp in your pasport, which is designed to prevent you selling the bike and leaving without it.

Bollivia and Brazil are probably the best to sell your bike in, possibly Argentina, and of course if you find the right person Chile may be possible.

First find a dealer or person willing to buy it, then start working on the stamp in the passport.

Legally, you have to pay the taxes to import the bike into the country. You may find someone willing to pay the taxes and lead you through the paperwork, as the bike may still be a good deal for them. Then you can get the stamp cleared at the customs office.

Another way is to leave the country with your buyer, and switch riders between countries to avoid the passport stamp. Not that I'd recommend that as it is fraught with all kinds of problems, especially legality, so don't do it. SA jails aren't nice places, and Chile especially is very strict on the rules and regulations - NEVER ty to bribe a Chilean policeman.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
  #3  
Old 26 Dec 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Santiago, Chile
Posts: 7
Hey, i am a chilean and i am planning to go to carretera austral and tierra del fuego. Sorry about the question, but how does your bike compare against an Africa Twin?
Please call me if you need any help, my cel number in chile is 09-3324198
Regards
Felipe Irarrazaval
  #4  
Old 27 Dec 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Algiers, Algeria
Posts: 16
Thanks for the reply Grant.

I do not have a stamp in the passport, so if I can find a buyer, it should be alright to leave the country. Arlen, Moto Club in Chile is very helpful with information the owners are 1100GS fanatics;however, they think that it will be difficult to import any used vehicles into Chile. Apparently, Chile has prohibited the importation of all used autos and motorcycles. They only allow new vehicles to be imorted. The problem is getting the Chilean papers for the motorcycle. The owners at Moto Club suggested adding a new odometer to the bike, but it is a 1995 and is hard to pass off as brand new. Another option would be to find a wrecked Chilean 1100GS and buy the papers from the owner.

I will keep you posted as to my progress.

Matt
  #5  
Old 27 Dec 2001
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
As an addendum, in response to a note from someone who knows,

re selling a bike in Brazil:

"it is impossible 'legally'. It (is) illegal to sell it, illegal for the buyer to buy it"
=======
Agreed - and I am aware it is illegal in all of South America - BUT Bolivia and Brazil are still the best places to buy and sell, but we do not recommend or condone such activities.

As my insider notes:
"if two 'like-minded' people come together anything is possible. Basically if you only have a temporary import permit and nothing in your passport everything is possible... if you have a buyer, anything is possible. He can a. ride illegally, b. bribe policemen at roadblocks, c. bribe officials to get correct paperwork, d. forge correct paperwork, e. ride 2 bikes on the same paperwork...."

BUT none of it is legal therefore you don't want to be involved so don't do it. Got that?

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
  #6  
Old 28 Dec 2001
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Santiago, Chile
Posts: 7
Agree 100%. All is possible, although to my knowledge in Chile, a, d and e are more feasible. b and c could get you in a lot of trouble, specially when local police prides itself from being honest.
  #7  
Old 29 Dec 2001
jtc jtc is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Australia
Posts: 4
I am currently in Mexico part way through my adventure and due to urgent requirements need to return to Australia. As there are three of us I want to let one friend take my bike and we want to sell his. We have the documentation declaring we will take the bikes out. Is the situation similar to Chile with the stamped passport or is there anyway around this, ie import taxes or has anyone sold a bike in Mexico or maybe Belize. I did not think the stamp in my passport related to my bike(only immigration) would they have records on their system when i try to leave?Also, can I transfer my documentation to my friend. Any further information would be great.
  #8  
Old 29 Dec 2001
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,324
You're opening up a can of worms here.

Transferring selling your bike to your friend:

No way will Mexico transfer your bike to your friend, and you don't want to even try. Australia has to do the transfer, and they may or not without the bike there, and without the interested parties - you and friend. In Canada we couldn't even reNEW the registration from overseas.

If the stamp in your passports says nothing about the bike then you are ok. They won't have computerised records that will link you up anywhere, especially if you leave via a different border point.

Can you just park it (or his) for a while and return later for it?

Selling his bike in Mexico:

Given the caveats above, may be possible, but not necessarily legal. See a dealer to start with to determine legality and procedures/costs if it is possible, then start working on private people.

Your friend shouldn't consider riding the bike without registering it in his name, and good documentation. Understand that Mexico doesn't know what genuine Australian registration looks like, but of course they have your other friend to compare to.

Tread carefully and understand the situation well before you do anything.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
  #9  
Old 29 Dec 2001
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 102
I got out of Mexico without clearingany kind of customs. Forgot to hand in the Permisio and didn't get my passport stamped.

Have since heard that the credit card i was asked to show at the border is used for a 'bond' of sorts. i.e. They will attempt to charge my card for twice the value of the bike if i don't (didn't) hand in the papers on the way out.

Not sure whether to believe this...

Beg to differ with Grant about not having computerised records for temporary vehicle imports. They do. Tonnes of PCs. Must have changed since you were last there. You
are unlikely to get checked at the immigration on the way out, but getting another Permisio might be hard.

OT: Just finished the import process of a bike into guatemala, and they have everything computerised also. Not to say that speeds up the red tape though.

[This message has been edited by t0by (edited 29 December 2001).]
  #10  
Old 29 Dec 2001
Susan Johnson's Avatar
Administrator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,011
Just to further complicate the subject:

Jane Banbury and Dave Norris (Babe and Yahoo) reported in mid-2001 that they couldn't sell their bikes in Brazil, but were successful in Iquique, Chile. Possibly because it is a duty-free port. From their diaries:

"At the bike shop, Daniel made a few more enquireis about the logistics of the bike sale to discover that infact it was not possible to import used bikes into Brazil! This was awful for the both of us. We tried many different angles and called a number of people but to no avail. Dave and I had to change our plans and we faced the prospect of having to ride the 6000km’s back to Iquique in Chile as quickly as possible."

More on this topic: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000127.html

So, no easy answers. We know it has been done, but not legally. For me, the prospect of ending up in a Latin American jail would be sufficient deterrent!


------------------
Good luck and safe travels!

Susan Johnson
Share the Dream at <A HREF="http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com


" TARGET=_blank>www.HorizonsUnlimited.com


</A>
__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Closed Thread

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:19.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top