Hi everyone,

I researched a lot but couldn’t find an answer to the following: We own a Colombian plated motorcycle and are about to ship it to Panama to drive to Mexico. Which should be possible. But what do we do with the bike when in Mexico? Can we legally sell it?

As an alternative we thought about shipping it back home to Europe and import it. Leaving costs aside, is it a viable option?

Thanks riders!!

I suspect that you will not be able to import the motorcycle into any North American or European country because it will not have documentation to prove that it complies with the emissions standards in these countries.

In other words, it's not a problem with duties or taxes or even safety standards that will be your roadblock, it will be a problem demonstrating compliance with emission standards. Don't bother looking to the manufacturer for any help, because the manufacturers love these restrictions - they prevent 'gray market' reselling of vehicles.

I think your best bet would be to investigate the possibility of selling it in Mexico. It's possible that Mexico might accept importation & registration of a vehicle from South America.

For a Colombian registered bike:

Registration of a new owner has to be done in Colombia.
With the bike and the new owner physically there.

Sell ?
Here there are different views of what it means to sell and buy.
You can "sell" it outside Colombia. Get the payment and hand over the bike.
And write a permit for the new "owner" to use your bike.

But you will still be the registered owner of the bike.
So is the bike sold ? Has it a new owner ?
Not as I see it. The new "owner" is another person, driving around with your bike. Legally. Since you have given him permit to do so.

But you have all the responsibilities that the owner has.
Insurance, taxes... Since you are still the formal owner.

And you remain that until the new owner take the bike and all the papers you have provided (given that you have made all necessary paper) to Colombia. And the bike registered as the new owner.

Import to Europe:
You could take it into Europe. But you will never get it registered. Since it does not comply to EURO norms. And even if it did, you would not get a certificate for that. It could be used for spare parts. Or driven illegally in the woods. But plates.... no

Unless...
It is "very" old. Before EU norms....
Than it can be possible to get it registered is some countries.
E.G cars form USA from 1950 can be imported (to some countries)
But do not count on that.
Without doing proper research for your country.

I have had a previous experience on buying a foreign motor vehicle and as pan euro explained it is correct conforming to the standards of the nation you choose to buy, give it up you won't get a certificate of compliance on a Colombian moto
I have a Colombian registered moto in my name although I can ride it anywhere is not a problem as long as I adhere to regulations to the country I am entering no problem But I cannot sell it legally in a foreign country Free Trade is a mythical realm for individual people with no connection with trade commercial
I hope this helps leave it in Colombia and buy another bike Any way it makes good conversation

You are 99% correct.

To "split hairs" (meaning, to be overly precise), you could sell your Colombian registered motorcycle in another country, if the other country permitted the vehicle to be imported and you paid the applicable import duties, but the purchaser would probably not be able to register the vehicle (meaning, obtain a licence plate for it and operate it on public roads) due to the previously mentioned problem of the Colombian motorcycle not conforming to the emissions regulations of the country.

Different countries have different policies about importation of a non-conforming vehicle. Some countries will let you import the vehicle if you pay the duties, even if the vehicle cannot be registered. In such a case the vehicle could be used off-road only, or broken up for salvage. Other countries will not allow you to even import it for spares purposes if it doesn't qualify for emissions and safety norms.

From the seller's perspective, all that matters is whether the seller can legally import the vehicle. From the buyer's perspective, the buyer needs to be certain that the vehicle can both be imported and registered (plated).

Michael

when you buy a Colombian moto the plate never leaves the motor vehicle system
weather the moto is dead or alive , a plate is issued when the moto is new and it is the lets say the identification of the moto, when you sell a moto in Colombia the plate stays with the bike this is not like North America that issues a new plate every time you buy a new Mode of transportation to use on public roads
I have bought and sold many vehicles in Canada and you have a choice weather you want a new plate or use the one off the vehicle you sold of course registered in your name in the same province if you buy from another province that you dont live in then you pay taxes and are issued a new plate. I used get away with this living in NWT No taxes on purchases from provinces south Buying in Alberta was slick because they are tax exempt. Colombian moto sold in a country other than Colombia well lets say you just wasted your time Beware buying a South American moto in CA where ever that is

entering mejico you have to pay import taxes.can't really remember how much.
sold my dr 650 german registered to some mexican guy ,92000km,for a1000$.
just told the guys from the hotel about it and next day the bike was sold.
no big problem at all.
suerte y salud

Not only the plates. The whole history of the bike stays with the bike. E.g all non payed fines.

The registered owner is responsible for paying all taxes, fees of all kinds (including parking and speed tickets), insurance. Get the vehicle inspected and....

Any outstanding issues follows the vehicle to the new owner. Something to watch up for, if buying a used motorcycle in Colombia.

=

The simple answer to the original question is:

You can't sell a Colombian registered bike outside Colombia

When will you and the bike arrive in Mexico?

I might be interested in buying it / driving it back to Colombia and selling it there.

What kind of bike is it?