non-registered VIN - what to do?
 

Hello to all HUBB-travellers

I am on the road since the beginning of July, started up in Anchorage and had a great time so far travelling down - more or less - along the westcoast of the USA, something around 12'000km. My plan is to drive as far as somewhere in Chile until middle of December.
2 days ago I passed the Mexican border and requested the temporarly permit for me and my motorcycle. No problem for me but no way for my motorcycle, a Suzuki DRZ400. The VIN is not registered in the worldwide system - though on all official documents from Switzerland, the COC from Suzuki, the plate on the bike, even on the temporarly permit for USA. Always the same number - but unfortunately not registered :(
If we - Suzuki Switzerland and me - don't find a solution I have to figure out how going on.
Does anybody know whether this VIN is also proved crossing the borders down in Southamerica?
Or any other good suggestions?

Thanks for any ideas.
Right now I have 4 days more to stay in Mexico, than I have to return to the USA for the time being.

Cheers from El Sauzal, Baja California

Judith

VIN is normally required at every border as part of the info to complete the Temporary Import Permit, but in my experience they just copy the number off the title and/or registration papers. Quite a few border posts are not even connected to the internet so checking an international database isn't an option.

Maybe a possible data entry error .. a 'I' mistyped as a '1' or a 'O' (letter) as a 0 (number) ... or the other way around? Some use the numerical side of the keyboard .. and tend to use that forgetting that it may well be a letter rather than a number.

===============
P.S. Thread probably belongs in "Trip Paperwork" ?

worldwide VIN system?
 

Hi there,

I have never heard about a worldwide VIN system used at borders. Maybe you misunderstood and it was just a typing error as Warin said. The only way I can come up with is to use another border crossing.

Further South, it is important that the documents are in your name and that the VIN number in the documents matches the frame number on the bike. As there is no engine number in Swiss documents, you wont have a problem with this.

Enjoy your ride.
mika from Uzbekistan

I also never heard of the World Wide VIN .... Last year alone from Serbia to Japan on a motorcycle with a license plate from a Harley on my Suzuki DR 650 and photo shop registration ... just for heck, let's see how far I can go....he,he.
Believe me, I even got Carnet for Japan with this registration and I had no problems anywhere and on all my papers a zero was missing from VIN ... and it was not even a problem because as I explained a typing error numbers ... he he .
Ride safe and good luck.

Judith
I can not even imagine a VIN worldwide system where all bikes around the world could be registered by a frame number (that’s the VIN at the end). Just think all the brands, sizes and models that are there in all the world; probably more than world population… and all in one system? With which other details?
All what you need in the whole Americas is your passport, Bike title or registration in your name, and in some places they can ask you for International Driving Permit and a local insurance.
For sure there was a misunderstanding, or a drunk customs officer was looking for your bike registered in Mexico… at the end how they let you cross?

Saludos

crossing border to Mexico
 

Hi all HUBBers

thanks for all your helpful comments. I just crossed the border as it is not necessary as long as staying on Baja to have a permit. As traveling alone as a woman and not an "over-adventurer" I prefer no to stuck in Guatemala or further down and therefor look for a proper solution (might be a Swiss-thing :innocent:). And believe me, the VIN-system does exist. I will let you know as soon as I travel on how it worked out.
cheers, Judith

Permit problem solved
 

I just today received a confirmation letter fom Suzuki Switzerland and with this letter showed up again at the customs in Tijuana. As my VIN still did not show up in the system but had that new confirmation from Suzuki Switzerland it just cost him a phonecall to a vehicle office (don't ask me which sort of office) that allowed him to go on in the process.
So in the end an easy solution and actually would probably have been also possible when I entered last Sunday. BUT: no governement offices (in the world) ar e working on Sundays..... dohdoh

Anyway... I can continue my trip and that is all that counts!! :D:D

cheers and have safe trips

Judith

Umm most government offices don't work on Sundays... there are exceptions. :oops2:

Glad you can continue. Try to avoid weekends, public holidays and large sporting events when crossing boarders, preferably 'quite' days are best- less people waiting, less pressure.