Could anyone advise us of the paperwork we have to fullfill when shipping a motorbike from Belgium to Chile and back? How to get an insurance over there? Can we travel with a belgian registration? We are planning a three weeks trip in December/January. Bikes will be shipped by boat or plane.
Thanks in advance.
Luc

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luc

Paperwork should be pretty easy.

A carnet is not required into Chile. Do make sure you have all your usual paperwork for the bikes - Belgian registration documents, your drivers licences, an international drivers licence helps, and that all the numbers are correct. That is all you need.

Insurance is not generally available or required. If they decide you need it, you can be sure they will be able to "take care of it" for you at customs for a "small fee".

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant's advice is correct from my experience. The biggest amount of hassle was clearing my bike through customs in Santiago. Chilean customs officials are very "thorough" and there are several forms that must be signed by one official, carried to another building, signed by another official, and brought back to the first building. My shipping company provided an agent that made the process pretty painless, though time consuming. In all it took about 6 hours (including the afternoon siesta) to clear customs in Santiago (actually Valparaiso since my bike arrived by sea).

I did not travel with a Carnet or motor vehicle insurance and they were never asked for in Chile or Argentina. Border crossings between Chile and Argentina usually took less than an hour for both sides. I usually had to show my motorcycle registration, title, and passport - that was it. I don't remember that anyone ever even asked me for my driver's license, though I suggest that you carry an international driver's license.

You should find the customs and border crossings to be pretty painless. In fact, you may find (as I did) that much of the time at many border crossings is spent talking to the officials about where you are from and where you are going!

Story

gidday!

i would be careful bribing any official in chile! they seem to be quite uncorrupt and trying to do so might get you into trouble!

paperwork (in valpariso) is quite straightforward.

cheers, d www.2-mad.com