Bike illegally in Argentina...

[brecchi]

Im a US citizen currently in Salta, Argentina. Spent a day in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile where there was no problem with aduana or migracion. Got to the border at Paso de Jama. Chilean and Argentinian aduana and customs all in the same building now. Passport stamped out of Chile and into Argentina. Bike stamped out of Chile. But the aduana guys didnt like the fact that my Bolivian bike was purchased in Colombia - the bill of sale wasnt worth doo doo. So no go. First time in many borders this has happened.

Spent the night at the border with the bike in the customs building. No help the next morning. So turn back around into Chile or ride across that salt flat a couple of kms in the distance....

Actually, its pretty worrying.....getting SOAT immediately would be a good step I think, so if one were to be pulled over, the passport and insurance would come out immediately, and hopefully one would not be asked to dig out the aduana papers. Another would be to take the paperwork to the aduana in Salta, but Im not sure how that would turn out, although I have heard that the aduana in Argentina all depends on who you get.

I hope its not a complete asshole move to be in this situation, but its hard to know what to do sometimes when confronted with unexpected situations like this. So please, dont judge

What would you guys do, (besides not get yourselves into this situation in the first place?!)