Common one this one. I did something similar - I left the bike at a friend's place for 3 months and then had the paperwork problem. The system just does not have any flexibility in it for such a case and there is no legal workaround as far as I could find.
What I did was to make a photocopy of the original document which seemed a bit rough anyway (it looked like a copied form without any number) and then changed the dates. A bit naughty but the bike went in and came out again.
I did get asked for it a couple of times but normally they weren't too bothered. I normally have a wad of photocopies in my pocket and hand those over when I get stopped. If they want the originals there is normally a digging in the side pannier show that everyone gets fed up with before the originals make an appearance.
When I left the country (to Ecuador) the customs were so slack I was disappointed that I had gone to such trouble.
Good luck. Not much to worry about.
Still on the road then Appie! I saw your bike in BA back in 2005!
Matt
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