Hello,
I am an american citizen in Argentina looking to buy a bike here. Would like some info about how to buy and register a US registered bike from other travelers.
How long would I be able to ride around Argentina with it? Would I be able to travel to the surounding cuntries? Is this my best option or would it be better to buy a bike in Chille?
Thank you for the help and happy riding.
Vlad

Vlad,

Check this post out. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-legally-31965

If you are a US citizen, and the bike is registered in the US it is pretty straight forward. It comes down to if you can see the pick, and if you want to buy a bike you can't see. Mailing paperwork back to the states, registering it and shipping paperwork back to Argentina. This is the only way I know of. I have heard of people forging documents becasue border officials will never no the difference. Hope this helps and good luck!

__________________
keep your front wheel ahead of your rear wheel
www.mototheworld.com

Hi Vlad, I strongly encourage that anyone entering a South American country on a tourist visa.... and is considering purchasing a foreign registered motorcycle (USA,UK,Australia,Germany etc) read carefully the following thread.

The thread is found in the South and Central America and Mexico forum of the HUBB.

Information wanted from experienced bikers in South America ( 1 2 3)

Buying a USA registered motorcycle in South America is illegal for a number of reasons described in detail in the above noted thread.

After many hours of researching the Department of Transportation of every one of the 50 States of the United States, I have discovered that all now require the signitures of any transfer of title to be notarized by a notary certified in the State of title.

And/or , there are time restrictions for the new "owner" to complete other processes, in many states for example, the seller is required by law to
return the license plate to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the buyer provide documentation of residence in the State as a requirement for securing a license plate for the motorcycle.

And, the Temporary Vehicle Import Permit that is issued to the owners of all foreign registered bikes in any South American country clearly prohitbits the sale of the motorcycle in country.

Plesae read the thread, and you will see how every argument for the legality of one foreign tourist buying a USA registered motorcycle from another foreign tourist is defeated by the presentation of the appropriate laws and regulations.

My advice based upon existing laws and regulations, common sense and a strong desire to prevent you from losing your freedom is Don't do it!

Any insurance coverage you might purchase with fraudulent title (faked, photoshopped etc) will become null and void long before the insurance company pays an attorney to represent you in case of an accident, and you will be charged with criminal offenses, if the court is alerted to the fact that you fraudulently imported a foreign registered motorcycle. You might also be charged with fraudulently purchasing insurance for a bike still legally owned by the seller, and the seller will ultimately be held accountable for damages too.

I am very disappointed in those who continually promote the crime of fraudulent title transfer in South America and when confronted with the actual laws and regulations that prohibit such a title transfer - well they just disappear for a while until someone new shows up wanting to buy. Cruthas, I am not speaking specifically about you, please tell me the one or more States of the United States to which you refer???? You might also want to read the thread I have suggested to Vlad.

I should mention that without valid motorcycle insurance, in the event of an accident you risk being arrested and staying in jail until the courts sort out fault, the local police are not authorized to determine fault in an accident with substantial property damage or personal injury. The court dockets are very full in all South American countries and your stay in jail awaiting justice could be many months.

Please respect the laws of South America.

As a foreign tourist, you are legal to purchase a motorcyle registered in each South American country you visit, and you are legal to sell, after your tour. There are several threads on the HUBB dedicated to this topic...

Hope this helps, read the thread indicated above for more detailed information.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Hi Vlad, I am currently heading your way and would like to sell my bike in BA, sometime in late Jan early Feb


It is a California registered bike and I have the title and papers with me. But, I will be heading back to the states after so paperwork should be no issue.

If you are interested in a DL650 Vstrom, 2007 with some gear on it, let me know.

Cheers
TravellingStrom


QUOTE=Vlad;269722]Hello,
I am an american citizen in Argentina looking to buy a bike here. Would like some info about how to buy and register a US registered bike from other travelers.
How long would I be able to ride around Argentina with it? Would I be able to travel to the surounding cuntries? Is this my best option or would it be better to buy a bike in Chille?
Thank you for the help and happy riding.
Vlad[/QUOTE]

__________________
www.travellingstrom.com

TravellingStrom, how does you statement below, the fact that you are getting out of Dodge - old cowboy slang ..."meaning leaving the country" resolve the Temporary Vehicle Import Permit issued to you and your California registered bike?

The only legal way would be to pay the Import fees and have an Argentine, or legal permanent resident of Argentina register the bike in Argentina, then and only then could your california registered bike be legally sold in Argentina.

By the way the process mentioned above takes about 6 months and the Import fees, as determined by the aduana (customs) might well be more than your asking price for the bike.

"It is a California registered bike and I have the title and papers with me. But, I will be heading back to the states after so paperwork should be no issue."

Do you think that you leaving the country (take the money and run) is in any way an incentive for any buyer, you should perhaps rethink your promotional campaign.

You should also research your claim that "paperwork should be no issue." It might not be an issue for you because you plan on "getting out of Dodge" , but how about the buyer?

Please explain I am really, really interested.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Local US Consulate (American Citizen Services) provides notary services to US citizens overseas. It's normally a fee for service and it's a pain to get in the door (ever since some cranky folks developed a fondness for blowing up embassies), but the service is available. The consulate in BA is at the Embassy. Suggest you give 'em a call first.

It's sometimes surprising what you can do legally with a little patient and polite perseverance.

cheers --

Haciendolo…

__________________
Mike R.
Santiago, Chile

Mike51, thanks for the advice regarding Notary Service at the US Embassy,

I sincerely doubt the Consul at the US Embassy can be convinced to notarize a US title transfer if the seller is a foreign tourist and the buyer is a foreign tourist and the motorcycle has entered Argentina on a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit.

Here is why:

Earlier last year, and it was posted on the HUBB, several foreign diplomats in Buenos Aires - not US, were arrested for the illegal transfer of foreign registered vehicles that had entered Argentina on Temporary Vehicle Import Permits.

This was front page news here for several days, and the investigation is ongoing. The diplomats sold their personal vehicles to Argentines and to each other. It is illegal to sell or buy any foreign registered vehicle that has entered Argentina on a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit, without first paying the import fees, and then registering the vehicle in Argentina, (this can only be done by an Argentine or a legal permanent foreign resident of Argentina), then and only then can the vehicle or motorcycle be legally sold in Argentina.

The reason I have provided the actual laws regarding foreign title transfer in South America is that I witnessed first hand, what happened to career diplomats who were arrested by chance and in a sting operation.

As a professional, I know how difficult it is to be appointed as a Foreign Service Officer/diplomat and that each has an obligation, not only to himself or herself, but to the country each represents. For a diplomat to be arrested or exiled, is a career ending stigma.

Mike51, have you no consideration for that employee of the Consular Section who notarizes documents? By reading this thread, you must know by now that you are putting at risk that person's career, by even asking them to notarize the illegal sale of a US registered vehicle in Argentina.

And, the notary must be certified by the State of the United States holding title to the motorcycle, I sincerely doubt that any State will accept an illegal overseas title transfer, and considering the recent title transfer problems on the diplomatic front, you might be at risk by even asking a Notary at the US Embassy to witness the signatures for an the illegal transfer of a foreign registered motorcycle.

It is so easy for a foreign tourist to legally purchase an Argentine registered motorcycle in Argentina, tour and then legally sell, or park, the Argentine registered motorcycle in Argentina, I have no idea why anyone would even consider buying a foreign registered motorcycle in Argentina.

Happy New Year

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

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Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Xfiltrate, I believe that some of your statements are wrong, which makes me doubt your other statements:

This is not correct; in general, a document notarized by a notary of one state must be accepted in another state. Please provide evidence of this claim.

You would not be "putting at risk that person's career"; as long as the signatories are who they say the are, a US notary has done their job. They do not, and indeed in many states cannot, give advice about what is legal or not. There are many legitimate reasons why a US citizen might need a title transfer notarized in Argentina. I don't think you understand how US notaries work.

Given that the other two statements above are wrong, I am disinclined to believe this as well. A google search did not reveal any such "investigation" although it was conducted in English. The few documents I found regarding temporary import of used vehicles into Argentina did not mention any prohibition on sale. I know nothing about Argentine law, but in other countries, vehicles with a temporary import cannot be sold to local citizens, because that would deprive the state of customs duty, but can be sold to other foreigners, also subject to the temporary import regime.

In conclustion, you might be right about what is allowed under Argentine law, but you are confused about other important issues that you raise and therefore raise doubts...

Hi Vlad
Yes its posible,for instance if you buy trvelling Storms bike,cross both into uruguay(he rides it out),drive back next day(you riding this time the bike) into argentina and get a new set of temporary import papers on your name!In the meantime do new ownership papers in the us and get them send by post to you.
Done to many times and worked 100%.With sit import ride in and out as many times you like,renewing it each time of course.

Good luck.

__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

BCK_973

I respectfully request that you, and anyone wanting to buy a USA registered motorcycle in South America read the thread in the South and Central America and Mexico forum entitled:

Information wanted from experienced bikers in South America ( 1 2 3)

There you will find representative regulations of Motor Vehicle Departments in various of the 50 States of the United States that would make what you suggest as "done many times and works 100%) LEGALLY IMPOSSIBLE!

In addition you will find in spanish the the actual Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP) law for Colombia which is the basically the same for all other South American countries. This specifically states that what you are suggesting is a crime.

I want you to describe exactly the documentation submitted to the aduana (customs) of Argentina that would enable the buyer to "get a new set of temporary import papers on your name (buyer)" Argentina law states that only the legal owner of the motorcycle may temporarily import the motorcycle. How does the buyer become the legal owner?

If you are suggesting illegally altering the title, I hereby appeal to your good judgement, to cease and desist encouraging those who rely on the HUBB to break USA and South American law.
Of course if you do the research of each of the 50 United States and come up with one - just one- that does not have a legal barrier to what you suggest and then you are able to explain how LEGALLY the legal owner exits Argentina, a country that prohibits the sale of motorcycles entered on TVIP, and the potential buyer (not the legal owner, mysteriously becomes the legal owner) and enters a bordering country Uruguay that also prohibits the sale of motorcycles entered on a TVIP, I will reconsider the issue.

What you have suggested cannot be done legally, so please stop suggesting it. Thank you!

Here is the Temporary Vehicle Import Permit law for Uruguay:

Import of an used car under temporary
admission:
• Proof of quality of “non resident” or “
transitory resident” (through the
migration office in Montevideo).
• Proof of vehicle’s property in the name of
the owner, through registration
document at country of origin with a
validity of at least six months prior to
arrival in Uruguay.
*Temporary import of the car will not exceed a
maximum term of 18 months (to be
considered from the exact date of import)
before which vehicle will have to be re-
exported by the legal owner.

A bank guarantee may be required in order to
authorize the vehicle’s temporary admission,
and this will be returned at time of re-export.

Please note that to legally enter a foreign registered motorcycle into Uruguay the owner must have owned the motorcycle for at least 6 months.

OK, no sales of foreign registered vehicles in either Uruguay or Argentina, so where exactly does the seller sell his TVIP registered motorcycle?

Remember any illegal title transfer null and voids any responsibility of your insurance company to bail you out of jail, provide you an attorney or pay your damages in the event of an accident involving substantial property damage, personal injury or death.

Standing by for your response, as I am sure, are many others.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

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Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

HI Everyone,

After a fantastic 12 months riding from the US to Ushuia it´s time to let the girl go. I will be in BA in the next week or so looking to sell my KLR. It has all the extras - boxes, crash bars, tank bags etc etc - and it hasent given me a single problem in 35000k´s.

If your looking for an unbreakable machine for your SA dream, this girl´s for you.

Take Care

Dylan

Hi Xfiltrate,

Thanks for your advice, it is very illuminating. Whilst the legal debate is interesting, from a traveller' point of view it sounds like, don't buy a foreign bike in South America is the practical approach.

I was surprised by your comment that one has to have leagally owned the bike for six months prior to entering Uraguay. Is this as a tourist or as a resident? There is a similar rule in Ireland about returning with a UK bike but it applies to residents relocating. It strikes me as odd that a tourist has to have a machine at least six months old. What about somebody buying a new machine for a trip? Or in my case, I am planning on buying a machine in Canada and travelling down to SA but I don't expect it to take 6 months.

If this restriction does apply to tourists then I would have to skip Uraguay altogether. Are there other SA countries with a similar restriction?

Cheers
W!

Wheeee, it is perfectly legal for a foreign tourist to buy and sell locally (in country) registered vehicles and motorcycles. And thanks for the appreciation of my efforts regarding the sale or purchase of foreign (USA, etc) registered vehicles and motorcycles in South America.

AND, thank you for your query. The fact is that permanent foreign residents of Uruguay are not permitted to import a foreign registered vehicle or motorcycle. Period...

If you would like a very detailed blog in English on the topic of importation of foreign registered vehicles by permanent foreign residents of Uruguay go here:

Immigration: motor vehicles, Uruguay forum

I was truly amazed at the restrictions! Because, foreign permanent residents of Argentina are permitted to pay import tariffs and legally register in Argentina one imported foreign registered vehicle or motorcycle. I cannot explain the "why" of this particular law of Uruguay. Perhaps reading the blog referenced above will help.

Yes, the actual Temporary Vehicle Import Permit (TVIP) law for Uruguay demands 6 month proven ownership by the foreign tourist of any foreign registered vehicle or motorcycle entering Uruguay.

I will point out that if you are riding into Uruguay and not shipping in, the reality is that the minimum ownership factor for securing a TVIP is not something that normally deters the issuance of the TVIP for Uruguay, but it is the law, and could be a legal problem in the event of an accident.

I have not researched this particular aspect of the TVIP for other South American countries, as my plate is rather full researching the sell/buy aspect of TVIPs as related to foreign registered (USA, etc) vehicles and motorcycles.

Hope this helps

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

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www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Eduardou
I think every one is free to post any helping coment in this forum.So i will say this only once to you,nobody except Grant or a moderator can say "What you have suggested cannot be done legally, so please stop suggesting it. Thank you!" to me.
If you like to play police here.....
Lets get back to the subject Vlad asked before,as said that crossing happens very often and is a solution that works for the travellers.Your very long answers are too exhausting and confuses more then helping out.
As more burocracy,more gray areas exists.
Please respect my freedom of speach as i respect yours.
Karl

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America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

I have asked you not to recommend illegally/fraudulently altering motorcycle titles, and I have asked you "where" the title transfer takes place? The TVIP law for Argentina and Uruguay clearly states that a title transfer as described is prohibited in Argentina and Uruguay.

I also asked that you read the actual laws posted on another thread.

BCK_973 I respect your freedom of speech as I do my own, I am asking you to speak more not less, and to answer my questions.

And no you cannot advise others to commit the crime of illegally/fraudulently altering legal documents, no matter if those documents are issued in the USA, Argentina or Uruguay - no matter if others do it and get away with it.

I hope you do not feel that illegally/fraudulently altering legal documents is part of your expression of free speech, for that would have to be your belief in order to accuse me of limiting your free speech..

If you prefer, it will be my pleasure to communicate with you in Spanish.

Eat, Drink and Be Careful xfiltrate

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Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina