Colombia, Temporary Import questions
 

Hi,

Has anyone had any recent experience with extending a temporary bike import in Colombia for an extra month?
(I know it should be possible –�*but I've heard a story from a biker who was denied an extension, but don't know his exact circumstances).

If everything else fails: is it possible to leave Colombia (with bike) for Ecuador, then return 2-3 days later for a new 2 months temporary import?
(Ecuador apparently is "3 months within a 12 month period". Same in Colombia?)

With the current heavy rains in Colombia, I'm thinking about leaving the bike there for 4-6 weeks & fly home over christmas/new year, then continue my trip in January.

Thanks
Bjorn

You now get 2 month on the border into Colombia. Extensions are no problem at all as long as you extend your visa first.

You can get tourist visa extensions up to 6 month per calender year and equally extend the temporary bike import permit to match your visa.

These extensions are given month by month and only if you personally go to the customs (DIAN) in any city and show your visa (made at immigrations DAS).

Its also possible to exit the country and come back in to renew the 60 day permit twice!

Cost for renewing temp import and visa?
 

Hi Mike,

Thank you for this. We r in the process of renewing, after first 60 days.
We were surprised we are asked to pay 70 000 each ($35) for an extra 30 days on the tourist visa (we are in Cartagena). Is this correct?
Thanks

I have helped out several time with extensions of the temporary import permits at DIAN and have never paid anything.

I know the visa extension at DAS cost something like that per person!

Correct, DIAN is free. Just taking some time.
We had to pay for DAS, 70K pesos ($35) for 30 days.

Conclusion: Got 60 days on entry from Ipiales, renewed 30 days for 35$ pp (DAS). Same time for vehicle. (DIAN free)

(Quite interesting as some people seem to get 6 months on entry - perhaps there is a difference on entering by air or land.)

Thanks Mike for confirming this.

You can get max 60 days upon entry now, which is equal to the visa you get no matter if you ride or fly in.

There after you can either extend your visa every month, one month at a time, which cost the visa fee every time - and there after extend your bike permit to match your visa free of charge...

...or you can drive out of the country and back in and there by get another 60 days completely free. This you can do twice.

In total you can maximum stay as a tourist for 6 month in Colombia every calender year and therefor its the same with the bike permit.

Its illegal to bring the bike in on any other type of visa!

2013: we got 90 days visa at border and 90 days on the TIP to match. (entry from Venezuela -> Maicao)

Thought about doing TIP extension in Bogota. Found DIAN office at address: Calle 17 / Carrera 6 (at the Parque Santander next to Museo de Oro)

They told us we have to go to the DIAN Importaciones at: Cll. 26 / Cr.106 - 39 (Airport opposite Puente Aereo)
However we saw a poster on the door showing a DIAN "Aduana de Bogota" office at: Cr.68 / Cll.19 - 81 2nd floor - not sure but this sounded like another possibility.

We got the following Bogota phone number for information: 6543232

DIAN Bogota
 

Go directly to the airport, forget about the other places - as I went to both of them yesterday and the airport office is the place for extending your TIP.

Here is the address:

DIAN Centro Administrativo de Carga (a big modern building)

Calle 26 No. 106-39

it is just outside the airport on the main autopista

it is up on the third floor - piso 3

And what Mike said is still valid, they ask for your visa extension first.

My case is a bit different, as I will leave Colombia for five months and then return, dont know if I can do this legally ... will find out in the next few days.

Saludos de Guatavita Colombia
mika

leaving a vehicle in Colombia
 

Hi Mika,

I've just found your post about leaving Colombia for some time. I'll try to do a similat thing - I have a car here (US plates) and I want to leave the country for some time (more than 6 months probably) leaving the car behind. I think this is the same as leaving a bike. So could you tell me what have you found out?

Thanks
Tomek

Tomek or Mika

did you find a solution for your 6 months temporary import in colombia
We want to travel colombia twice this year with a 4 months gap

Heidie & Koen