Motorcycle temporary import expired in Argentina

[motorcycleboy99]

Hi all, wondering if anyone has any advice on this.
Bought a European plated motorcycle in Argentina from another traveller who had finished touring. Did the usual “poder” thing and travelled around S America without problem. Left the bike in Argentina meaning to return soon after then the pandemic hit and I couldn’t return for a long while. The bike temporary import expired on Aug 2020 so has overstayed for quite a while. I’m told it would get seized if I try to cross any border or get stopped by police and there is no possibility of extending due to Covid circumstances.
Would like to return for some more travelling around S America and then to sell the bike.
Anyone know of any way I could sort this out?
Thanks

[Alanymarce]

I'd start by contacting (phone not email) the Argentine Auto Club (www.aca.org.ar ) and looking for help.

[motorcycleboy99]

thanks for advice

[javkap]

Originally Posted by motorcycleboy99

Hi all, wondering if anyone has any advice on this.
Bought a European plated motorcycle in Argentina from another traveller who had finished touring. Did the usual “poder” thing and travelled around S America without problem. Left the bike in Argentina meaning to return soon after then the pandemic hit and I couldn’t return for a long while. The bike temporary import expired on Aug 2020 so has overstayed for quite a while. I’m told it would get seized if I try to cross any border or get stopped by police and there is no possibility of extending due to Covid circumstances.
Would like to return for some more travelling around S America and then to sell the bike.
Anyone know of any way I could sort this out?
Thanks

First some facts:

1. The “usual “poder” thing” while it might work, isn’t exactly legal in Argentina. By the Aduana laws, the TVIPs are not transferable from one tourist to other. A PoA with an International Apostille it’s ok for get in (and out), if you aren’t the owner, but not for transfer the TVIP ownership. Normally at borders could work as officers there don’t know well the laws. But for other matter like at Customs offices, you will get in troubles. Bear in mind that at Customs system, they can check all the entries and exists, as well they have access to Migrations system and can check all your movements. The usual ‘poder’ thing is a risk at every border.

2. Regarding the pandemic, all TVIPs were suspended on March 20th ish 2020, And from November 1st 2021 are running again for the remaining time when were suspended. You have to check on yours when was issued and for how long… to calculate your new expiring date, but I guess that in the best case, is about to expire soon.

Then:

If you were the legal owner, I would suggest to return ASAP to Argentina and present yourself at an small Customs Office at a smaller town, not at Buenos Aires, with all the docs and explain why you couldn’t return sooner, and apply for an extension on the TVIP renewal.

Or in your case, return more than ASAP, and try to get it out to other country in a very small border crossing, playing the “stupid gringo” game, crossing your fingers and only saying “no fumar spagniol, no fumar spagniol”…

[javkap]

Originally Posted by Alanymarce

I'd start by contacting (phone not email) the Argentine Auto Club (www.aca.org.ar ) and looking for help.

Sorry, and without intention to offend you. From where you got the idea that the Automovil Club Argentina can help??? That’s not their business…

[motorcycleboy99]

Thanks Javier, will start practicing “no fumar spagniol, no fumar spagniol” in the worst accent.

[Alanymarce]

Originally Posted by javkap

Sorry, and without intention to offend you. From where you got the idea that the Automovil Club Argentina can help??? That’s not their business…

No offence taken - you're right that it's not their primary business, however my experience is that the people who work in the automóvil clubs in South America are generally interested and knowledgeable enough to point you in the right direction, which could be a contact in Aduana for example.

Now, I have no personal experience with ACA, however I've found the FIA affiliates helpful everywhere - not only South America, but also RSA, Kenya, Australia, Singapore....

[Myrkskog]

We had a similar problem and everybody told us to return in time, or take a small border and hope, but don't be surprised, when they confiscate your vehicle. The people at the aduana AFIP in Buenos Aires don't care about problems like that. We tried it several times.

[Sowonderful]

Hello to all,

To me happend the same:
I know it passed a lot of time, but I will travel now to Buenos Aires to pick up my motorbike. I suffered an broken arm and couldn´t come in time to leave Argentina. But my question is, if anybody solved that problem?

Do you know which public office is in charge to manage the problem?

Thanks in advance Piet

[xfiltrate]

Originally Posted by javkap

First some facts:

1. The “usual “poder” thing” while it might work, isn’t exactly legal in Argentina. By the Aduana laws, the TVIPs are not transferable from one tourist to other. A PoA with an International Apostille it’s ok for get in (and out), if you aren’t the owner, but not for transfer the TVIP ownership. Normally at borders could work as officers there don’t know well the laws. But for other matter like at Customs offices, you will get in troubles. Bear in mind that at Customs system, they can check all the entries and exists, as well they have access to Migrations system and can check all your movements. The usual ‘poder’ thing is a risk at every border.

2. Regarding the pandemic, all TVIPs were suspended on March 20th ish 2020, And from November 1st 2021 are running again for the remaining time when were suspended. You have to check on yours when was issued and for how long… to calculate your new expiring date, but I guess that in the best case, is about to expire soon.

Then:

If you were the legal owner, I would suggest to return ASAP to Argentina and present yourself at an small Customs Office at a smaller town, not at Buenos Aires, with all the docs and explain why you couldn’t return sooner, and apply for an extension on the TVIP renewal.

Or in your case, return more than ASAP, and try to get it out to other country in a very small border crossing, playing the “stupid gringo” game, crossing your fingers and only saying “no fumar spagniol, no fumar spagniol”…

Thank you Javier for your excellent advice. You have had the backs of over landers since I have known of you and that has been almost twenty years.

All four foreign over landers you referred to us - including Zack from Canada for whom you arranged exit air transport, - now have their bikes out of Argentina. Each was issued an extended TVIP during pandemic and three retrieved their bikes before it expired.
Zack who could not return to Argentina until recently was able, in the presence of the aduana, to explain in writing why he was not able to return to Argentina and he was issued a temporary TVIP to transport his bike to the airport. All went very well thanks to you. And, thank you for the referrals.

Meanwhile, Elisa and I are currently at our ranch in Arizona and will return to Argentina this month -November 2023.

Once again, Javier on the part of all of those who I know you have assisted, Muchas Gracias. Ed and Elisa

[ryudidoo]

Originally Posted by Sowonderful

Hello to all,

To me happend the same:
I know it passed a lot of time, but I will travel now to Buenos Aires to pick up my motorbike. I suffered an broken arm and couldn´t come in time to leave Argentina. But my question is, if anybody solved that problem?

Do you know which public office is in charge to manage the problem?

Thanks in advance Piet

I am in this same situation only difference being, my TiTV is valid until october 2024 but I am still recovering. Were you able to get around this? do you have any suggestion?