Selling my bike in Panama

[heggeserge]

Hi,
I was planning to drive all the way to Argentina, but my bankaccount doesn't allow me to, it's been more expensive then i thought..
If i decide to sell the bike, in what country would it be the easiest in central america?
Thanks!

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Look here for possible buyers
TRAVEL Bikes for Sale / Wanted - Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

If you had provided make model , year and km on odo , accessories and COUNTRY OF CURRENT REGISTRATION you would have started the advertising already .

Wish you well in your quest for a quick sale at a fair price .

[guaterider]

Guatemala has the biggest market and it is a pretty straight forward process .
But be prepared not to get a lot of money for your bike , because the buyer has to pay a lot of duties and taxes .

[Tony LEE]

At least one country in Central America shows the vehicle entry in your passport which will make it very hard to leave without the bike unless you go through the official process or do a border run with the new "owner". In most if not all countries, a foreigner selling a foreign vehicle to a foreigner is essentially illegal - but of course there are ways around it although always some risks remaining.

[guaterider]

It is completely legal to sell your bike to anybody , local or foreigner , as long as the buyer pays the duties and taxes .

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by guaterider

It is completely legal to sell your bike to anybody , local or foreigner , as long as the buyer pays the duties and taxes .

Yes .... and those duties and taxes are HUGE!
And that is why so many "go round" the legalities and just pay a small bribe if they get pulled over.

If you have a really special bike you may get OK money for it there ... if you are lucky enough to hang out with someone in the 7 richest families! :smarts:

[guaterider]

Originally Posted by mollydog

Yes .... and those duties and taxes are HUGE!
And that is why so many "go round" the legalities and just pay a small bribe if they get pulled over.

Yes , duties and taxes are high .

NO , small bribes wont work !
If you sell your bike illegaly it will stay on your record and you will not be allowed to reenter the country with any vehicle ever.
So much for the seller .

If you buy a bike without paying the duties and taxes the TVIP will not be on your name , no matter what you do with the title and registration. Therefore authorities are entitled to confiscate the bike for being illegal in the country.
So much for the buyer.

I've been through the process several times over the last 4 decades , buying and selling bikes and other vehicles legally . So it's not just hearsay

[mollydog]

How about "BIG" bribes?

So there is no longer any corruption in Guatemala now?
And those highly paid Transito Policia would never, ever take a small bribe to look the other way and ignore a foreign bike?

Seriously, of course you are right. Following the law is always best. But sometimes travelers get into a Jam of some kind ... and must improvise. Usually their own fault for NOT knowing the rules and ignoring deadlines.

Not ideal and risky, yes.

But we have 5 to 8 million undocumented PEOPLE in our country ... they live with risk every day ... we have a HUGE community of Guatemalans here in San Rafael. They look very nervous these days.
Hopefully asshole Trump will be OUT SOON!

[forrgrav]

How would they know you sold the bike illegally? Have you known someone personally denied entry at the border because their name was on a black list for entering the country with a vehicle and not leaving with it? Would that be a problem at the airport? Also, what would be the process to legally import it and sell it?

Based on other posts, it seems people have done this with no problems, they just weren't able to get a high price for it.

[kuebeldoktor]

Hello experts, I would also be interested in the answer. I'm from Germany and had a BMW 650 transported to the USA two years ago. In order to avoid US customs in the long term (a buddy is also driving a 650 GS) we went over to Mexico and had the motorcycles imported to MEX via a contact in Mexico. We now have Mexican license plates on the former German BMW. Cost us about $1,500 in taxes. My motorcycle is currently in Mexico, but we are supposed to continue to Panama next year and end our trip there. I'm in touch regarding air shipping back to mex city. But costs about 2,500 dollars. Hence the question again. Does anyone have experience and contacts on how to sell their motorcycle LEGAL in Panama at very short notice? Alternative: in Panama there are forwarders who could bring the motorcycle back to Mex City by truck (it might be cheaper than air freight).

Regards
Frank

[kuebeldoktor]

Hello experts, I'm from Germany and had a BMW 650 transported to the USA two years ago. In order to avoid US customs in the long term (a buddy is also driving a 650 GS) we went over to Mexico and had the motorcycles imported to MEX via a contact in Mexico. We now have Mexican license plates on the former German BMW. Cost us about $1,500 in taxes. My motorcycle is currently in Mexico, but we are supposed to continue to Panama next year and end our trip there. I'm in touch regarding air shipping back to mex city. But costs about 2,500 dollars. Hence the question again. Does anyone have experience and contacts on how to sell their motorcycle LEGAL in Panama ? ...any dealeradresses who is buying legal the BMW 650´s from us maybe ?

Regards
Frank