Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > SOUTH AMERICA
Valparaiso - Customs Clearance etc Valparaiso - Customs Clearance etc
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
SOUTH AMERICA Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 6 Dec 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
Question Valparaiso - Customs Clearance etc
Has anybody cleared their own bike through Valparaiso? If so could you tell me the procedure please.
I've done it myself in Thailand, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia so I'm not a complete novice but I speak very little Spanish - certainly not enough to see me through this.

I've contacted the local community but only had one reply from a guy who lives 500km to the north.
I've searched through Horizons but everyone is pointing to 'Villa Kunterbunt'. They are asking 120 euros to clear my bike. Unfortunately the 'Actual Shipments by Travellers' feature is down at the moment so I can't check there.

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated

Cheers

Adam
Short Way Round
__________________
ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

Photo Galleries

ShortWayRound/Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 Dec 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: valparaiso chile
Posts: 23
clearing your bike
hello adam!
just found your question here.
you may trust me, we don't ask to much for the job, it's quiet a bunch of work..
hoping to hear from you
keep us posted
cheers
martina and enzo
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Dec 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: the world
Posts: 87
Just takes time
Hey Adam,

Cleared both my bike and my friends on seperate occasions through Valpo this winter I also speak very little spanish.

It is just a long proccess of firstly at the port then to the customs other end of town and then back to the port. The bike is inspected by two different set of people but they allowed me to just take the crate apart and drive away both times.

Not easy but definatly possible plan on two days but it may only take one. No one asked for bribrs or xtra cash or anything like that. Wave your bits of paper around like evrybody else and someone will help sooner or later.

Good luck it is all part of the fun!!!!

Cheers Rich
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 114
Thumbs up
hello,
I aslo got my bike trough the costums in Valaparaiso. Well as long as you have all the neceressary papers you visit first the port and get all info from them. Then you go as the other guy has already written, to the costums, which is quite a bit down the beach on the other side of the city. There you do all the necessary paper work (I had just problems because we had two bikes in one wooden box, but in the end we got them out).

then back to the port and open the box, fix everything. Then the costums at the port might be interessted in what you import, but the people are ok.

Have a look here: http://www.moto-adventure.ch/touren/...nate-tour.html

Good luck and all the best
burnout1
__________________
www.moto-adventure.ch - just THE page about touring Europe and South america by bike!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Dec 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 9
We recently got both our bikes through Valpo customs - hasslefree - with the help of Enso and Martina from Kunterbunt Hostal. They made the process as easy and as quick as possible. Highly recommend if you are at all worried about the process and have enough money to spare!

:-D

Burger
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Black Forest
Posts: 171
Villa Kunterbunt
Hi,
spend the money and let Martina & Enzo handle it! It saves you worries, time and enjoy their company. Higly recommended

Thomas & Andrea

Miles-to-ride
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Dec 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK but currently on the road RTW
Posts: 206
Thumbs up Clearance completed
Well I started the process on my own at the shipping company in Santiago then caught the bus to Valparaiso where I discovered the ship had been delayed a week. I returned to Santiago and whilst waiting met a very helpful local who drove me to Valparaiso once the ship had docked and helped me through the whole process. My lovely bike even started first push of the button - hope that's an omen for SA!

Thanks to all who replied and especially Rich (NX650) who convinced me to go it alone.
__________________
ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

Photo Galleries

ShortWayRound/Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Dec 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Belgium
Posts: 63
do it yourself
I did the paperwork with the shipping company in Santiago, bussed to Valpo and the next morning I started at 8.30am with the help of a friendly local I met the night before (translating for me because my spanish was very poor at that time). I was rolling at 3.00 pm! It is a bit of a hassle but in my opinion you can better save your money and spend it on something else.

I stayed at Kunterbunt and had to use their services for shipping it back home because my bike arrived very late in Valpo and I couldn't afford it to miss the boat (I was ready 15 min before closing time).

In my opinion, E&M do their very best to let the procedure seem as complicated as possible, while it is not really. Just ask at customs for the right procedure and they will explain... It might take some time but then after all it is worth it!
__________________
Husqvarna 701 Enduro on a round the world trip MotoMorgana
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Customs clearance fees in Thailand Bjorn Trip Transport 2 17 Sep 2008 16:30
Customs Clearance Seattle Blue88 North America 1 4 Aug 2008 17:59
Vladivostok customs clearance ilesmark Northern and Central Asia 4 27 May 2008 07:06
Vladivostok customs clearance ilesmark Trip Paperwork 4 10 Apr 2008 16:57
Valparaiso - assistance after customs? Sheonagh SOUTH AMERICA 3 1 Jan 2006 02:33

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:30.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top