I would have loved to import my moto and would have paid the required taxes and fees for it, but it's not legal for non-Ecuadorians to do. While I do own it, my moto was stored and never used after Covid and therefore was technically illegal or "irregular." During this time I paid lawyers to try to legalize my moto by working the system conflict of giving resident visas for immigrants, but not permitting importation. After years of no joy, this "OP" just tried to leave.

It isn't hyperbole to mention the potential of imprisonment when I have been threatented with jail if I don't pay the fine of more than what I paid for it 4 years ago. The fine is based upon what the moto would be worth here in Ecuador if it was legally imported, but which they won't let me do. It is neither hyperbole nor a stereotype when my statements are based on actual existing laws and practices. I agree that my suppostion of the reason for not permitting foreigners to import vehicles is conjecture, but it sure seems like discrimination to me.

If someone in the UK was to import an item and then fail. And refuse to pay the duty on that item then they too could be imprisoned. Your position is not unique to you. When you applied for residency you made it reasonable for the Ecuadorean authorities to assume that you were intending to live there as a resident hence the expectation that you would regularise the motorcycle’s tax status.

Imvho you're https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL...fMIkqWklnZmt9H Stating the glaringly obvious only goes so far.

My tuppence
 

Sad to read you'll (probably) lose your pride and joy.
Unwritten obvious rules of travel include:
It's best to travel with a $3000 bike you can walk away from (for a reason) without crying too much.
Their country = their rules; like them or hate them, it's still their country; respect them.
Break any countries' rules and you will end up paying the piper.
What is behind you is gone. Stop whinging, look forward, lick your wounds and carry on travelling:mchappy:
Life's really too short:Beach:

p.s did you ever contact the Communities re your 'problem' in Spain? Just saying as no response ...

I offered to pay the taxes and any necesary fees, but it is illegal for immigrants to bring in vehicles. My moto was not "brought in" because it was already here legally, but became illegal by me becoming a resident.
Fine, just let me leave and take my stored-for-2+ years motorcycle and you can have back your visa.

Isn't this the deal your lawyers are asking for?

I can see the counter offer including both storage fees and some sort of penalty. You have had two years use of the visa, so to now ask to cancel it is a bit like sending back a half eaten meal.

You won't win the fight. When you ask governments "yeah, you and whose army" they can answer. There is a point you just have to walk away when the deal offered is just too poor to accept.

I can understand this law BTW. The UK has plenty of vehicles overdue for safety inspections in Poland and Rumania that shouldn't be on our roads. Not letting them in in the first place might be a hammer to crack a nut, but would work.

Andy

The way that the Ecuadorian authorities see it as that someone that has the right to live in Ecuador brought in a motorcycle and has not due the import duties required of anyone living there whether they are an immigrant or someone born there - so it is not an immigrant thing - locals buying a bike would have had to pay the same duties for the same bike. The only way to have avoided the issue was for you to pay the duty when you got the residency permit.

Can you sell the bike to a non-resident at a knock down price to take account of the fines due and they pick up the fines / storage costs and leave the country? You can then buy the bike off them again once it is outside the country. If they can't then I suggest that you write off the bike. Make sure that it is financially worth it - is the bike worth more than the fines / storage and talk to your lawyer to make sure it will work.

You're right dammit! Time to move on to the next adventure - the Stans and Mongolia, instead of the Carretera Austral and Antarctica. Not a bad consolation prize.

Enjoy it :thumbup1:

Andy

resident visa!
 

I rode into Nueva Loha / Lago Agrio Ecuador Nov last year from Colombia and in Feb this year the same route Back to Colombia
Crossing The San Antonio border Migration , Colombia and Ecuador was for me the most pleasurable No BS place I have ever seen in my travels They are adjacent to one and other in the same building 25 feet apart
Nueva Loja/ Lago Agrio is Hot as Hell of a place to be stuck during Covid Lock down
Wow what a story on how to lose your possesions
Rule No1, you cannot import a used motor vehicle into SA unless you are a Diplomat or the vehicle is a Antique or has Collector status and It is determined by Customs
Rule No 2 is that before you become a temporary Citizen is that you should know Rule No1
Live and Learn Muchachos

Thanks for the chuckle :)


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DR650s are antiques now aren’t they?

Have fun


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