Bikes through Borders From Vancouver to Santiago.
 

Hey all! Planning a trip with a great friend of mine for Sep 2016 - May 2017 down the west coast of the states, through mexico, central america, and eventually Chile. One of the reasons for picking this trip is it seems relatively simple given that there is no Carnet system required anywhere on the content. However, I just spoke to a friend of mine in Colombia who says there are complicated import procedures at every border on our route. They are expensive, slow, and frustrating. Is this the case? What will border crossings look like? and how hard will it be to get bikes through the area? I am basically just looking to find some who has done this route on bikes and can educate me on a bit on what to prepare for.

The other big question I have is, has anyone shipped FROM South America back up to Vancouver with success. Shipping from Santiago would be great but can do it from anywhere in that area if its simpler.

Thanks in Advance!

Benji

Having done only the trip to Panama and back, but multiple times I can only address the segment up to that end. From reading here I do gather that South America is similar, but leave it for others to address. You are correct, no Carnet needed

For the USA you do need insurance for public liability . For Mexico too you need it and also for the CA countries. Some will sell it at the border as part of the process to gain admission and it is not very expensive.
For some like Guatemala it is good to have but not possible to buy at the border or at insurance agents (!!!) so best have it arranged on internet beforehand.
For Mexico and USA you will need to buy it from private insurance sellers . Shop around for best deal.
For mexico and CA countries you need to buy a tourist permit, not expensive.
For Mexico you need to buy a temporary vehicle import permit as well as a personal tourist permit, total about $60US , and you must post a REFUNDABLE TVIP SECURITY DEPOSIT, max.$400US which you get back when cancelling the TVIP and removing bike from Mexico.
Belize has a special small tourist tax levied at the time you exit the country.

Border crossings for ENTERING a country all follow the same steps of Immigration, Vehicle Import , Fumigation (not always) and Aduana where they double check all documents.
Leaving a country usually takes less time and has no fees to pay ( except Belize) You must go through the routine of Leaving one country then march directly to the other country to process as Entering
There are small fees but nothing spectacularly expensive. Consider it as your tourist tax
Mexican borders are straightforward and well organized and fairly rapid . THe CA countries each have their peculiarities and can take on or more hours .. The PanAm crossing at at El Amatillo ,Honduras is the worst and notorious for long looong delays.

I am currently in Nicaragua and no border has taken me more than 2 hours. I agree with Sjoerd on the one crossing, the crossing is okay, but the area seems to have a few more vagrants than the other places. The hardest thing for me sometimes is just finding where to make copies. After reading many reports and the various issues, I fortunately have not had to much difficulties at any border.

They say you can't get into Honduras without your title but I don't have my title with me and I passed through.

One other note, I am not against the "helpers," some borders do not need anything and they will lie about some needs, but other borders can be time consuming if you are not remotely fluent in Spanish. For 5.00 to 10.00 I got a personal escort to the correct lines and where to find a copier. To me, I was surprised at how cheap the copies are and in the end, most of these people are just desperate for a little work. And usually the border "helpers" will look out for your moto by keeping the "interesting" people at a distance.

For me, the borders become more relaxing after a few, and actually I have started to enjoy the crossings, buy some food, sit down and watch the rhythm. Then before leaving, buy the locals ice pops and you will be a King. Remember, it will be hot, hot hot. Cross in the afternoon and the locals are exhausted from the heat...

The short answer is that if you have your drivers license, title to the bike, and your passport, you will muddle through.


Every border you will go to Immigration to check out of your current country, then Customs to check you bike out, then Immigration for the country you are entering, then Customs for a vehicle permit.


Mexico is the most expensive country to enter with a vehicle in North and Central America, at ~20USD for a tourist visa and ~$45 for a vehicle permit, plus a refundable $200-400 deposit, depending on the year of your bike.


My info on South America is from 2006, but the borders there are less chaotic, and easier to navigate, and by the time you get there you will have been through the process a bunch. I never paid a cent to cross a border in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia Argentina, and Chile. I know that since my trip, at least Bolivia and Argentina have enacted reciprocal fees for tourist visas equal to what other countries charge their citizens. I think it is about $130 for Americans, but may be different for Canadians.

Thanks everyone! this is super hepful info. Feeling like we can figure it out now.

Cheers,

B

I am currently in Santiago, Chile and crossed all borders from US to here. No problems anywhere. Honduras was a pain, but all others no problem. Go have fun, take pictures.

Did anyone mention visa costs.

For US citizens - Brazil about $150 (assuming it is still in force for US), Bolivia $150, maybe reciprocity fee into Argentina $100. Paraguay perhaps.

Canadians also similar.

Shipping Your Bike information here:
How to Ship Your Bike | Horizons Unlimited

So you basically did the whole trip we are planning, what did you do for insurance on your bike?

Cheers,

B

If you are asking me, I paid for insurance at whatever border required it. I also bought it in Colombia where people scared me about cops asking for it. They never did. I ran without it everywhere else. Not suggesting you do that, but most of the riders I've met have.

Driving without at least the mandatory liability insurance means you run three main risks.
Sometimes you won't get into a country without the insurance policy to show them - and the fact that it is not available at the border is your problem. Catch a bus, go and get insurance and come back and pick up your car.
Then you run the gauntlet of police patrols who sometimes do check that you have it. They consider gringos trying to evade their social responsibility as a good source of easy pocket money.
And finally if you have an accident and don't have insurance, then provided the locals don't tear you apart, you will get to enjoy the fantastic hospitality of the local prisons, sometimes for months.

Leaving from Atlanta first week of July for Alaska and heading South like you. See you on the road...red F700 GS with GA plates...2 Up :)

FB: AyferOnur Seyahatnamesi

revving to go
 

Gday Benji, I'm sort of on a similar route plan. Lots can change but I arrive to ride the CDR from New Mexico to Banff then back to LA in July this year. After that I'll probably take a break and then continue sometime to ride Baja/Mex/C&S America via mostly the usual western route. By far my biggest decision is to either ride through Mexico & Central America, OR ship my bike from LA to Columbia. I've been to mexico, belize, guatemala, but not by bike so I'm keen. But I'd expect something like 2000usd more for the time and effort to do so. It's only money, but I don't have forever to ride. After the loop this summer, I should have about 4months to continue from LA south. I plan to ship my bike back or sell. I bought another well farkled BMW 650x challenge (used to own one) which seems ideal to me for the trip. Keep in touch and enjoy the adventure...might see u somewherebier