Here is the challenge:

I have a XR600 in Kenya with Kenyan registration plates (not on my name, as i don't have kenyan residence). I would like to bring the bike to Ethiopia and keep it there for a year or two (either ride it through Moyale or ship it) but would rather not pay the 170% taxes.

To make it even more interesting, i have no residence permit in Ethiopia, just a 6 months business visa (which i renew regularly). But i could find somebody in Addis on the name of whom i could register it if need be.

Any idea what would be the best way to proceed? Options that i have used successfully in other countries include:
- find somebody who is an expat but does not have a vehicle, i.e has not used his duty-free allocation – probably difficult, but who knows, maybe there is a market for such things, in Kenya there is.
- drive the bike shamelessly over the border in Moyale, pretending I’m a tourist and then keep it around Ethiopia with Kenyan numbers – This solution would be complicated as I would have to keep it on the present owner’s name which may get difficult, but in absence of any better solution it may be worth trying;
- there may be somebody who has a similar bike in Ethiopia that he crashed – I could buy the papers;
- I would even consider selling it to somebody in Ethiopia at a good price, provided I can ride it sometimes with advance notice when I come to Ethiopia (which would be maybe a week in ten or something along those lines) – in this case I could also arrange air-lift/ shipment to Addis.

If anybody understands the rules in Ethiopia and ways to apply them i would very much appreciate some advice.

thanks,
s

I see no problem with riding the bike in Ethiopia on your Kenya plates. Ethiopia gives visitors their own version of a Carnet (TIP), I cant recall if there is a date for exit on their TIP, if they ask when you will leave show them your visa. you and the bike should be able to stay for that period (6months??) in which time you can sort out a plan for the next 6 months... The bike being in someone elses name should be no problem either, but to be sure gat a letter from the owner or whoevers name it is in saying you have permission to ride their bike. Make it look real officail with copies of passpoerts and as many stamps as possible.
JIm

__________________
"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire