shipping parts
 

i am planning a trip to mexico, central america and south america. does anyone have any recommendations about having parts shipped from the U.S? I have heard to try to have the part shipped as a warranty part( to avoid be taxed 100%by the country) or as a present. if anyone has any info please let me know asap. thanks

We had motorcycle boots mailed to us from Germany to Argentina. When I went to the post office to p/u, customs wanted 50% duties. I flashed him my carnet, and paid nothing. This also later worked in Argentina when I brought a shock on the plane with me, and was checked on arrival. They wanted me to pay duties, and I flashed the carnet and paid nothing.

This did not work in Argentina when the dealer sent the box of BMW parts via UPS (they ignored my instructions) from the UK -- the package was automatically put into a cargo catagory, and I had to pay about 50% duties (same would be true for FedEx, DHL..). Customs confirmed had the package come via International Mail, they would have accepted my carnet and no duties would be paid.

I had a cylinder and piston (worth US$450) brought to BA by a friend, and he paid the agent a bribe of $50 (he worked for the airline and knew how to do this). Cost of same parts at BMW Argentina would have been US$850

Having said that, nothing is guarenteed -- sometimes trying to save a few pennies can cost more in aggrevation and wasted time...

Suerte,
Chris & Erin Ratay
www.UltimateJourney.com

hi,

chris is right, you maybe lucky and they accept your carnet. I travel without a carnet in South America.

I had parts send in from Germany twice.

Chile was a good place to get it send to by regular mail, a much lower bill worked and I only had to pay according to that for custom duties. But regular mail to Chile is very slow, best to receive it in Santiago.

Colombia I got parts with UPS. The value was declared at 25 Euros (25 USD), because they don´t accept any parcels without a value. UPS was fast, but not in Colombia. And I only had to pay 8 USD customs duties on the value.

Good luck MIKA