junking vehicle in Chile

[lorraine]

Does anyone know the procedure for 'junking' a US vehicle in Chile? Don't want to contact the Aduana, they already know about me and my infamous Chevy van! Not worth it to ship a 30 year old vehicle back the states, and can't realistically sell it, so need to get rid of it somehow and leave with correct paperwork. All ideas welcome.
Lorraine

[Blazeafar]

Drive to the middle of a large salt flat, put a couple of leaking 20 liter cans of water on the roof. Won't take long to become a salt covered pile of rust!


Oh, don't forget to remove the license plate.

[STG06]

Lorraine....I applaud you for asking for advice on how to legally and ethically dispose of a vehicle temporarily imported into Chile. I can't unfortunately provide anything useful on how to do this cos I don't know.

Should you not be able to find a legal or ethical solution you may need to fall back on the old "Pack it In Pack it Out' approach - which, unfortunately in your case may present some significant financial issues.

Your efforts to do something other than simply 'dump' your vehicle on the nearest salt flat, demonstrates your respect for Chile and concern for future travellers.

Good on ya!

[DiasDePlaya]

Yes, you can legally sell it, but not for use, just for dismantle. Go to a "Desarmaduria", like "Desarmaduria San Pablo", they are serious. Probably you will receive like US$1,000 o little more.

[lorraine]

DiasDePlaya.... Really???? Do you have a contact/telephone number for San Pablo???? That would be VERY helpful!!!
Loraine

[Donmanolo]

DesarmadurÃ*as en Santiago de Chile, venta repuestos, partes y piezas para autos, camiones y maquinaria pesada

[dirtydeeds]

If Chile Aduana is like any other countries, you have to prove to them that the vehicle is worthless and not saleable/non existent (ie, destroyed or stolen.)

The easiest way would be to leave it "available" at night in Santiago and report (honestly) as stolen. Present aduana with the police paperwork and they will cancel your permit. (If you don't mind not getting a cent for it)

[Donmanolo]

Where are you exactly in Chile? I vaguely remember something about the entire north of Chile (at least Arica- Iquique) being a tax free zone, meaning that you (or the lucky person you "give " it to) could actually import it or scrap it or whatever, and avoid paying import tax unless they had settle somewhere further south. Since I assume the main problem with just giving it away would be the import tax which noone will want to pay for a 30 year old chevy truck then this could be a solution. I'll ask my relatives in Arica if they know anything more . Suerte.

Manuel

[lorraine]

I was liking the idea of junking a vehicle for $1000, that I bought originally for $750. ;-) The van's quite rusty, and I had problems getting to the border for various mechanical reasons, so I think Aduana would deem the vehicle ready to junk. But don't know for certain, and don't want to contact them till I know all the info.
I'm 178 km north of Santiago.
Any ideas or English speaking contacts welcome!!!
Thanks, Lorraine

[DiasDePlaya]

I called to San Pablo, the owner don't know if he can buy foreigners cars. I will email to the Aduana.

You also can abandon your van in favor of the Chilean Customs: "Artículo 143.- Las mercancías podrán ser abandonadas expresamente a favor del Fisco por quien tenga facultad para ello, en cualquier tiempo antes de su remate por la Aduana, siempre que no hubiese multas u otras penas que aplicar.
DFL Hacienda 1/97 Art. 150", Google translation: "Article 143 .- Goods may be expressly abandoned in favor of the Treasury by a person having power to do so at any time prior to auction by the Customs, provided that there were no fines or other penalties that apply.
Finance DFL 1 / 97 Art. 150", then the Customs should auction your van.

[lorraine]

Oh bless your heart!!!!! Will await your word on what the Aduana has to say. Was enjoying the prospect of a chunk of cash for my heap of junk, but that may be too good to be true!!!
Thank you, thank you!!!!
Lorraine

[DiasDePlaya]

NOTE: All translated using Google Translator.

I asked: "Came as an American tourist in his car to Chile, this is the end of the journey, he comes very expensive to send him back to the USA, and want to sell to disarmament, you know you can not sell for use. Is that legal? I called several Desarmaduría and have no idea if they can buy it or not."

The Customs answer: "Used car imports to the country is prohibited, only available to residents of this franchise extension zone who have resided at least five continuous years in the area and the Chilean passengers finally returning home after having lived at least full year before his final lap.
The owner must be filed with the office nearest you and deliver it to finalize the procedure for temporary admission, which is subject to the entry of the order."

Then I asked: "Could you clarify exactly which means "deliver"?

The American idea is to cancel the order, in Spanish,
prefer to throw it away before returning to the United States and
that the cost of freight is higher than the residual value of the car."

And the Custom reply: "It means that you should take it to the office and make physical delivery of the vehicle, I suggest you consult at the office nearest your home where the processing is done, you should do to regulate the temporary entry."

Conclusion, you can't sell the van to anyone. your only solution is to deliver the van to the Customs.

[lorraine]

Hmm. Thank you for being so persistent and trying to understand EXACTLY what they want. But I am not so happy with their answer!!! Argh! Sounds like one of those situations which could be a huge hassle. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for me, very, very much appreciated. I'll let you know what happens!!!
Lorraine

[dirtydeeds]

Sounds like it needs to be stolen. The police will give you the paperwork. Give it to Aduana. The permit will be cancelled. It will be up to you to make the van "go away".

Someone will want it, just tell them your plans so they can do the appropriate things with the vehicle.

Will send PM for a contact in Chile.

J