Tires as check baggage
 

Does anyone have any experience with friends/family bringing in tires by plane into South American countries? Is it a pain in the ass? Duty? Less hassle to just buy in-country?

Not sure about SA, but I've brought tires as checked baggage from the US to Canada before without any problems at all.
I think the primary concern would be import duties/taxes if the tires were to remain in the country, but of course they will be exiting the country with the bike, so you should have no problems at all.

Good luck to ya.

Mike.

I have had problems with this at JFK airport in NY going to Mexico. The American Airline check in lady told me tires are considered car parts and are not allowed to be shipped. When I tried again a few months later they let them through with no problem. Upon entering Mexico I only had to show a reciept for the value. In Mexico one is allowed to bring in up to 300US in merchandise without paying duty.
The moral of the story is go for it! Just leave yourself a bit of time checking in at the airport in case they decide to hassel you.

Yeah man!
 

Thanks for the info guys. That was just what I wanted to hear! Take it easy.

Box the tires in cardboard - they never ask what's in it, just what's NOT in it - e.g. bombs etc. :)

Right on!
 

I have people flying to meet me at different points of my trip. If they will bring in a tire all boxed up that would help me out big time. I've heard GS tires are a bit pricey down South.

Tires on plane
 

I took two KLR rear's in a box once from US to Santiago. I had a suspicion that I'd be challenged at aduana so I made up my own "sales reciept" and valued the tires at something like $23 each.(actual was over $100 ea) I made a "stamp" (Latin countries love their stamps) by rubbing some ink on quarter and "stamping" the reciept using the quarter. I put the tires in a cardboard box and hoped for the best. When I got box off of first US flight (Minnesota to Miami) the box had already been ripped open for inspection. When I got box off baggage claim in Santiago, another sticker had been put on box as being inspected. I went through all the migration, agricultural inspections without declaring anything and was slipping by the aduana and out the door to the street when an aduana guy stopped me and asked what was in the box. I showed him the tires(he opened box up more) and showed him the "reciept". He asked if they were new (not sure why)...he looked at the reciept and said "welcome to Chile". No problem.. I've taken lots of stuff including a gel type battery in checked luggage since then. For the battery I attached a copy of my itenerary and the page from Homeland Security webpage that says "spill-proof" batteries are allowed. I wanted them to know that I was not hiding anything(guessing that a battery looks a little suspicious in an X-ray machine...expecially in the same bag as a electric vest) and wanted them to know I did my homework.

Very Sly!!
 

Nice one! I love the stamp, using an official, goverment issued quarter! Hopefully I will be able to come across one of these world recignized symbols of commerce and inspection. Thanks for the tip.

Arlen
 

Just got your message. Can't reply to your message any other way.

I'm leaving Miami around Oct. 15. Headed West until I can make a left. Where are you? Minnesota?

Buying tyres in Argentina
 

Hi Guys, I bought Braziliain Pirelli (I think) knobblies in Argentina (Mendoza) last year for US$35 and they lasted me back up to Toronto then Scotland to Turkey. At these prices it hardly seems worth carrying spares but on the down side I think the selection of sizes is limited. Ride safe, Mike Anderson

Brennan
 

I am in central Minnesota near little town of Stewart which is an hour west of Minneapolis/St.Paul. This is big farm country. More "scenic" would be a trip north of here riding along Lake Superior or go west of here to Black Hills (big faces...) of South Dakota. Hope you can swing by.... 320-510-0606

I concur with Mike. Metzeler and Pirelli are made in Brazil. I just bought a Saraha 3 100/100-21 tube type for $38 and a Tourance 120/90-17 tube type for $42 here in Costa Rica. I can't see any differencef rom the tires made in Germany, except those probably would be tubeless(I'm running the tube types tubeless, BTW). Availablity, as Mike stated, might be a problem.
The thing to remember in Latin America, is when one shop tells you they can't get something, keep trying other shops. A shop will have only one distributor and they will only carry one or two brands.

Arlen
 

Thanks for the invite. I most likely won't be headed that far North in the States. I'll leave from Florida through the Gulf States and crossing into Mexico through Texas or San Diego depending on my girlfriend. Continuing through to Argentina. Riding back.

Let me know if your are headed South this year.

Tires
 

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll play it by ear and talk to some folks on the road as to where they found good deals. If Metzellars are that cheap, even if I have to hunt a little, it will be a lot less hassle than fliying them in. I'll check back when I'm in need to get a store location from you people in the know! Thanks for the info.

sa
 

Brennan: Plans are Nov 25 or so,ride from Temuco Chile to Equador or Columbia an return bikes to Arica(northern) Chile. 30 days. Any other way to communicate with you?