I see no possible harm coming to "the Chilean people" from a transfer of a foreign bike, not based in Chile, never sold in Chile and which is legally taxed, insured and registered in it's home country and has a current TVIP for Chile.

If a buyer "fiddled" the title or TVIP but then insured the bike based on that "new" information, I don't see the insurance company having a problem as long as premium has been paid and new owner is the policy holder and can present title when buying said insurance policy. Insurance companies don't do title histories ... why would they?

And last I checked ... Chilean transito Police are not experts on Foreign Titles or Log Books either. If everything matches up ... that's it. Good to go. Everyone is covered.

The fact is that stupidly complex rules are in place that impede the free flow of commerce and limiting a travelers options ... it's this that really hurts the Chilean people most of all.

It discourages moto tourism and drives tourists elsewhere. Like the borders in Cent. America: Thousands just "go around" rather than run that gauntlet of corruption and insanity ... or they blast through in a day ... and vow not to spend even on dime there.

Allowing true duty free sales ... and making it easy for tourists, charging very reasonable fees, could be a boon to Chile's tourist economy. (but I doubt they could organize it properly ... never happen ... too many selfish interests at play)

If you'll note, I also suggested that the seller would have the option to process the sale of his vehicle through his local home country DMV (or equivalent) and transfer title to the buyer. That makes it legal.

In California ... this can all be done via mail, no need to show up at DMV. I'm sure other agencies are similar. But what is legal is EU or USA does not necessarily make it legal in Chile. Better to try a couple $20 bills instead.

I would agree with paying Chilean import & sales tax on a sale IF:
1. Bikes where to be permanently imported into Chile.
2. They were Chilean based bikes being re-sold (sales tax) to permanent resident of Chile.

A foreigner in transit should not have to pay import duties or sales tax if leaving the country within a certain period of time. No idea what Chilean law says about this point but seems fair to me.

But in the case of foreign TVIP registered bikes in transit, owned and sold by NON residents ... IMHO ... it's NONE of Chile's business what happens with these bike as long as TVIP fees have been paid, bike is insured and owner has not overstayed Visa. These bikes are not even officially in Chile ... they are temporarily there ... basically in transit.

IMHO, this sort of sale should be done between buyer and seller only ... they don't really need a Free Trade Zone at all.

But obviously the current arcane and counterproductive rules will continue ... do they still use 5 sheets of carbon paper for everything? Computers?
Sounds dangerous to me! !Copias! !Mas Copias!

Mollydog, you have your interpretation of the law regarding the sale of foreign registered bikes entered into Chile on a TVIP. But, you are not the one to say if an insurance company will do a title check or not..... It has been my experience that all insurance companies faced with the payout of liabilities will do a title check. The reason why is .... drum beat here please....insurance companies will only pay liabilities if they are legally libel. The fine print on all motor vehicle insurance policiesl state that the insurance is provided for a legally titled and registered motor vehicle and if the operator has a legal operator's license.

I have attempted to get released from jail more than one foreigner who, thought he legally purchased insurance, but was informed by the insurance company, after a severe accident, that the insurance was fraudulently purchased due to the fact that the title/registration of the vehicle was illegal. Not only did the foreigner have to stay in jail until a judge could decide damages and who was responsible for the accident, but the foreigner was charged with illegally operating a motor vehicle.

It is too bad you will not be in court to express your opinion when those actually responsible for interpreting the title transfer laws for foreign bikes entered into Chile on TVIPs are presenting their case..... and it is too bad you will not be in front of a judge deciding what is best for the people of Chile. And, you will probably not be presenting your views and opinions against criminal complaints filed against the perpetrator of a Photo Shopped title. But, perhaps someone reading your advice here will.

I am confident none of this will bother you in the least, so have at it, but those who read here will at least have two opinions.

xfiltrate

May you live in interesting times ... and live forever in Argentina!

Anyone experience of this?