Stamping bikes out of Panama
 

I've done a search and can't find much info. We are now in Panama City and will be sailing to Colombia within the next day. When we entered into Panama, our bikes were stamped into our passports, so I'm guessing we need to have them stamped out prior to boarding our sailboat. Another rider had suggested to go to the Policia Nacional Direcion de Investigacion Judicial to have the bikes stamped out, however apparently it is an entire day affair and we don't have the time to have this done.

Has anyone else skipped this step and arrived in Colombia without having the bike stamped our of Panama. Is this something that I can get around?
Thanks
Daryll

Daryll, I went to the aduana at Tocumen airport ( a little booth at the entrance to the freight area, a.k.a. "the old airport") to get stamped out. It took me about 15 minutes. No one seems to bother you if you don't do this....unless you return to Panama, at which point it can create a few issues.

I got stamped back in at the aduana headquarters, which is somewhere near Alewife airfield--I took a taxi, and the taxi driver knew where to take me (which was fortunate, because I originally asked to be taken to an entirely different address). This took a couple of hours. There were some clerks, who seemed kind've clueless and in no particular hurry, but there was also a Big Man of some sort who made it all happen with a wave of his (Big) hand.

Many riders don't bother, and even the freight handlers at the airport tell you it's not necessary. If you've got time, search for Crashmaster's hilarious story on ADVrider--he went to the aduana but the two clerks there got into a shouting match with each other, arguing about whether he needed anything from them or not.

Hope that helps. Have a nice San Blas sail!

Mark

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the info. May just skip getting the bike stamped out. Just praying for the rain to stop now.
Daryll

I'm not sure if it matters, but a friend just entered panama with his 4x4 and he said the procedure has changed from only 3 months ago and they are now a lot more strict...

-Dan