Argentina shipping nightmare
 

I left my moto in Bueno Aires to have the motor rebuilt and flew back to the US. I ordered all of the necessary new parts and shipped them via DHL to Bueno Aires. Customs will not let them into the country, stating the parts are used, even though they are still in original packages, have a packing list and all documents state parts are new. DHL Argentina states they cannot do anything. The mechanic cannot get anywhere with customs or DHL. They want $500 US to send them back (it was $188 to ship there). Without the parts the bike obviously cannot be repaired or driven out of the country in the timeframe I was given. It seems clear either customs (and DHL Argentina ) are lazy, ignorant, or want a bribe. I cannot do anything about the first 2 and, even if I wanted to, I cannot do the third from here in the US. Any suggestions?

Strange thing to hear
 

Many travellers have picked up spare parts from the "correo internacional" in Retiro.Probably you had to go to DHL in town?There is no issue with used spareparts.What you and i couldn´t import are used bikes!!!!At least permanently......
Hire a lawyer and put some pressure.Try again nicely first.How bad is your castellano?(spanish).Isn´t there may be some issue,hahaha
Where in BA are you?
PM me.
KH

I am in the USA
 

I am fairly helpless to do anything from here and aduana and DHL know it. The parts are motor parts for a Harley- I would not put in used parts even if available. I have used parts in the moto-that's the problem!

Consulate
 

I have emailed the Argentine Consulate here, I will try the American Consulate in Argentina. I was going to carry the parts on the plane on my return flight, but the mechanic wanted them ASAP to get the work done. You can bet I regret shipping them . Thanks for the info.

Hire a customs broker.

Broker
 

Well, DHL was supposed act as the broker but instead the Argentina unit sits on their thumbs whining that they cannot (read:won't) do anything. The package only has small gaskets, bearings, bushings,etc. It is hard to see why they even targeted it.

On who´s name was the box sent?
 

Remember that only the person whos destinatary can pick up the box.Did you send it with the mecanics name?
Otherwise big trouble.
Good luck

pressure on DHL
 

Totally agree.
Where it might be difficult for you to arrange things in Buenos Aires,
you can start to make life difficult for your local DHL agent.
They claim to do fast and trouble-free worldwide deliveries, so let them keep their promise!
If there are any problems regarding import-rules they should have warned you before the shipment, i assume.
It might help when you tell DHL you will cancel your payment and that you'll also want your spare parts back or refunded.
Just try everything to make them contact their Argentinian office to get them to do their job.

Good luck and hope you'll succeed soon!

regards,

gerbie

I have found a USA DHL employee who has promised to take it up the line. We shall see. The package was addressed to the mechanic. A suspicious thing (besides customs claiming the parts are new) is that the mechanic received a note from DHL saying they could ship it back to me for $500 ( 2 1/2 times the original shipping cost). I am starting to feel I am the victim of blatant extortion. The HUBB replies have been helpful- thanks and keep them coming.

We are following the example from the north!
 

George
What an accurate view!Yes The current president is immitating your president.
What i don´t see up today is that argentina has´nt build a wall to a neighbor country.Or may be taking half other country too.
How much did you pay to "liberate" your bike from the customs?
You see we do our homework better now here in the south.Banana republic,hahahahaha no sir.Of course many bike tourists(not travellers) behave like in one.
Hals und Beinbruch mein Freund.
Now you now why we love americans(north).
Mucha suerte y cuidate!
Nos vemos

Martin
Miah had a similar problem few months a go.
Your packet probably is in Airport custom . The thing is that is not allow to bring spare parts, if you want to do it you need import it. That means pay import taxes .Because you will use them here anyway that later you take the bike outside the Country.
The one to be consigned the packet has to go to Custom at the cargo Area and pay the import taxes to pick up your parts. That’s all.
I did it with the things that Jeremiah St Our’s wife send to him with federal express.
It take us less than one day.
If you need a hand told to the one who are consigned the packet to call us.
Saludos.

Sandra & Javier…
www.DakarMotos.com

Javier, thanks for the response. My wife and I loved Argentina and thats why it is especially disappointing we may not have a repaired bike to go back to in Enero. The duties are $60 and the mechanic was willing to pay it but was told he still would not get the parts. If only aduana would take the time to realize their position is hurting Argentine people,too- the mechanic who may lose the rebuild job and its big labor charge and even you, as I still had the intention of purchasing that Sahara 3 rear and some shop time. As you may remember, my bike is a Harley so I took it to Juan Carlos Petrizzo of Petrizzo Motors, a short distance from the H-D shop, on the same road. Apparently, he feels he does not have the time or perhaps ability to haggle with aduana, even at the risk of losing a big job. Any help you could provide, even the email of someone higher up in aduana, would be helpful (although I cannot write in Spanish).
As for others who want to knock a country or profess your political views, please do not hijack my thread-get your own. I am here to work out a moto related problem; if you can't help do not waste space on this thread.

Javier
 

If you do not mind, I would like to give your phone number to Petrizzo in hopes he might call for advice on what to do. His number is 011 4793 9779. Any help anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated. I wonder if a mechanic went to aduana, asked them to open the package and declared the parts are new,would aduana be forced to admit their mistake and release the parts?
Martin

Martín
Ask to Juan Carlos to call me on the week time to my Workshop phone: 4730-0586 to see if both together can resolve something....
Sorry for answer F… Gringo post, my patriotic instinct was powerful than my little “Sudaca” brain. I promise I will try to control both..
Saludos.

Javier…
www.DakarMotos.com

Javier
 

No apologies,por favor. My remarks were NOT at all directed towards you, but at Gringo. Your country was very hospitable to us and I am glad you defended it. Now, about the aduana mess, I will encourage Juan Carlos (actually his wife, Mercedes, who has been the one calling aduana and DHL) to call you at the shop. Thank you. Petrizzo has a group of classic moto riders (not just Harley) that you may be interested in, if you like old motos. Martin

Just a thought.....
 

Assuming its all screwed up & you cant get the package....is there no way you can source the parts you need in Argentina ?

Bearings are standard sizes and there are plenty of places to buy them, gaskets can be made (I had some cut from a sheet), bushes can be machined out of something thats the same material (some of mine used to be piston pins).

More exotic/special parts would pose a problem but in Argentina just about *any* standard part can be made.

Let us correct our perceptions about the US State Department. They do not exist to help average US citizens. Their primarily purpose is high-level political maneuvering and oh by the way they might get you a passport if you pay enough and wait long enough and fill out enough forms twice. And if you belong to a certain class of business or political interests you might get help. Or if your case doesn't look good in the major news stories you might get token assistance. But the US embassies, consulates, and the US State Dept are not there to help the little guy, and least of all somebody who rides a bike. If you do get any sort of meaningful assistance, you are very fortunate, and certainly have enjoyed an exception.

cheers

a reply
 

By the way... DHL (Holland) has a very good "not satisfied, money back" warenty. I once used them to send new credit-cards to guatemala.... which took 8 day's instead of the promised 2 day's and they refunded my payment after the first request.

Maarten

I don't agree
 

I absolutely do not support closing this thread or deleting posts from someone. We are all old enough to get along with such problems and opinions, aren't we?

I'd like to remind everybody participating in this thread that the HUBB is a place to discuss motorcycle related things, and I urgently advise you to get back to such a subject... now! ;-)

However, hard discussions and statements of opinions are very welcome, but do not insult people on the HUBB.

I haven't read all the messages in this post but just wanted to let you guys know that I've been importing parts (both used and new) into Arg for the past two years w/o any problems (to private parties).

I use USPS and it takes only 4-7 days. The post office in Argentina will notify the receiver and they will have to pay a duty. I make out the invoices at wholesale price so that they save some money on the duty.

If you need more infor or help let me know.

John C.

I've been shipping LR parts (off-road and OEM) and recovery gear (synthetic winch rope, tree straps, d-shackles, etc). I've also been selling alot of suspension air-bags for coiled trucks.

Here's the deal:

each Argentinian is allowed up to u$s 25 each year that is duty free. They keep tabs on when you used your "duty free" shipment.

After that they have to pay up to 50% of the total invoice (excluding shipping).

I've sent packages to a whole bunch of cities within BA and outside of BA.

They have always calculated the duty based on my invoice. I've even sent parts that were used and declared them as new. Obviously I've cleaned the parts well and the parts were for private use and not for resale.

A few of the boxes I've sent were very heavy, I believe there is a 65 lb limit thru the USPS.

Yes, you should prbably send the package to a private party in Arg. I have contacts all over SA thanks to our Land Rover community.

I haven't dealt with Javier from Dakar Motos yet but from what I've read and heard from people on this board he seems to be a guy you can trust and would be willing to give a hand (all the Argentinians I've met have been very helpful).

If you need help or a contact in Arg feel free to call me and I'll see what I can do.

John C.
845-667-9300

Correct, I believe they measure the girth (LxWxH) and it can't exceed XXX inches (don't remember the number).

and then there is insurance......

Ok, but....

Have you found a solution to your problem?

Not yet...
 

I found an English speaker in Aduana who said they would speak to their boss about a resolution, but no word. If the parts don't get lost first, DHL said they would send them back no charge ( I have an account so I have not yet been billed for the shipment there.)

FWIW to all involved in this thread. (if you're not involved to date, please ignore this post, you don't want to know)

The appropriate action has been taken. Comments made will NOT be tolerated.

As While he doesn't agree with deleting posts, leaving the posts will just get more people upset - so they're gone.

Finally please remember that the HUBB is all about sharing information among people in every country of the world. It's a motorcycle site, but it's also about promoting communications amongst disparate people all over the world. What better way to learn about each other - and learn to appreciate each other - than by talking about something we all love?

Finally, please remember not to say something here that you wouldn't say to someone's face - when sober!

To anyone who may have been following this....
 

My parts just arrived at my mechanic's shop in Bueno Aires!! Took exactly a month. DHL had continuously blamed Argentine Customs for not allowing the parts into the country. The truth was, customs had never seen the parts or had anything to do with holding them. DHL Argentina held the parts and did not send them to customs. When customs found out they were being blamed by DHL they contacted DHL and things got moving! Argentina customs was very helpful and kept me informed via email in English. If you have problems the email of Argentina customs "help desk" is: ayudatransitos1 ATT afip DOTT gov DOTTT ar
Thanks to everyone who tried to help me- looks like I will be able to get to TDF.

===============
edited by Grant - don't put email addresses in without obfuscating them from the spambot scum.

Well done Martin!

And thanks for posting the contact info.