TVIP (sometimes TIP) = temporary vehicle importation permit.

A generic description of the paperwork nearly always required to bring a vehicle into a country. The purpose of the process is to control (in this case discourage) the sale of vehicles brought into a country without paying importation taxes/fees to the government. Some countries stamp the permit in the passport (ex. Nicaragua) and Mexico collects a deposit (~$400 USD) in addition to a small importation fee.

There is always a set number of days granted by the border official. Some countries routinely grant the maximum number of days allowed, others do not. The number of days varies from country to country, and border to border for the same country. The later is some times flexible and therefore the determination or whim of the customs officer. Speak up before the official fills out the permit if you need 180 days instead of the typical 90 days. The official may refuse your request, but you stand a chance of getting more time if you ask politely. The number of days granted on the TVIP won't exceed the number of days on your visa and can be less, so pay attention or stand a chance of paying a fine when leaving the country. Leaving Suriname customs noticed a problem with my TVIP. Apparently when entering the country customs wrote "10" for October instead of "11" for November, which meant on paper I had over stayed the permit. Suriname issues am elaborate visa is the form of a passport page sized sticker. I pointed out the dates and diplomatically as possible reasoned that the date issue was in fact a typo caused by a customs official. More his problem than mine. He stamped me out of the country... In Central America typos can result in fees to the traveler, regardless of the source. The most common mistake is an official transcribing the VIN incorrectly.

Reports in the past year note that Brazil is no longer processing TVIP for bikes entering the country. There are more questions than answers at this time.

Getting the motorcycle imported is the bigger half of crossing a frontier. Keep your humor, take your time and be organized with your paperwork, show up early to avoid lines and closed services.

To complete the TVIP paperwork I find it easiest to point out the key information to the customs official instead of making them search an unfamiliar document. They will usually want to see the following items in your documents:

• Passport
• Drivers license number
• License plate number (ti tle of ownership or other document)
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Depending on the country, you may need to buy insurance at the border. Where it is required and not available at the border, you can usually buy insurance in the first town you come across.

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Peter B
2008/09 - NJ to Costa Rica and back to NJ
2012/13 - NJ to Northern Argentina, Jamaica, Cuba and back to NJ
2023 - Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia...back to Peru.

Blogs: Peter's Ride