Hi All,
I am in urgent need of some help. I was travelling in South America with my girlfriend on a BMW bike and unfortunately had an accident on the border with Argentina and Chile near Vila Angostura. I broke my leg and had to return to Sao Paulo, Brasil for surgery - the bike is also Brazilian. The accident was in August and we had to re-enter the bike into Argentina on the day of the accident as we had technically left Argentina.
Since then, we have had huge problems trying to find a company that will bring the bike back to Brasil - the bike is in Buenos Aires where it has remained for months. The latest we have heard is that the Argentinean authorities need to see our original entry papers into Argentina when we crossed from Uruguay on the BuqueBus ferry - unfortunately we were not given such papers.
I have been told that without these papers the Argentinean authorities can keep the bike and treat it as their asset if I try to bring it back across the border to Brasil so I am now faced with an absurd situation of losing the bike I legally own. This does not seem to make sense given that everything was in order when we left Argentina and crossed into Chile immediately before the accident - one complication is that we never actually made it to the Chilean border but were in an area between the Argentinean and Chilean border - no mans land it seems.
Can anyone suggest any contacts in Argentina that could help me with this situation - whether agents or lawyers or transportation companies - anyone at all who can help.
many thanks in advance
James

Right here is the best advice you will get that makes sense and it’s last ditch attempt, get someone with a flat bed truck go pick up the bike and take with you the medical bills photos of you in hospital and anything else that backs up your story,

Then go to the border they should let you through as they will feel for you, PLAY DUMB as far as you know you have ALL the correct documents it’s up to them to tell you that you don’t you can say that some documents were lost in the accident.
If they don’t then offer money if you know what I mean, but do it subtle ok really subtle say ‘how much will it cost to get the correct paper work stamped for me today’. If they still say no then go to town and try to bribe the next person up the ladder and so on, but remember the higher up you go the more it will cost. Lee’s rule of thumb... Pay off the lowest guy you can.

It’s going to cost you so all you can do is minimise your losses, and for anyone else that‘s reading this if you like myself have an accident get the local cops to get a flatbed and follow you with the bike and give them money. Worked for me in Thailand, and once I had received treatment I even got the local cops to take me and the bike 250km to Phuket, saved me a shit load of trouble as I didn’t have to mess around with retrieving the bike, plus they sorted out customs for me as I had to overstay on my visa.

Hope that helps

Lee @ F650 Ride the World - A journey of Global Proportions

Sorry should have added, take the bike across the border by truck because then it’s then Legal in that country and then anyone will ship it back to you, I can understand why shipping people wouldn’t want to get tied up with this situation, but once it’s legal there shouldn’t be any problems.

That is DEFINATELY the best way to play it.
It is up to THEM to prove, and believe me they really don't want the hassle... they will take the money, the next trick as Lee says is getting the payoff as far down the ladder as poss.

Martyn

I left my bike in Argentina long past the permitted time. I was put in touch with an attorney who promised to get me an extension until 31 Jan.2008. BUT he wanted $1100 USD in advance before doing anything. I refused. But I can give you the information if you need. Marty

As long as you can show paper work for the date of the accident, and have documentation that says you couldn't ride then there shouldn't be any problems at all. Everybody will want to help you out as you are a visitor to their country, just remember that word of mouth is the biggest holiday seller so they wount want bad press so to speak.


Always handle anythin like this yourself, my pet hate with wrongwaydown was the yanks didn't go down to the embassy to get their own visas, if you do things yourself you stand a better chance of pulling things off. Let me know how you get on.

Lee