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Leave Those Spark Plugs And Your Glock At Home!

I just returned to Cali with four shock absorbers for my truck in my suitcase. I got the red light after picking up my bags so had to get inspected. The officer came accross the shock absorbers and said they weren´t permitted. I was astonished and asked why. He then showed me the statement on the back of the DIAN form that states: "Travelers cannot bring as luggage, goods such as tires, automobile spare parts, guns, ammunition or explosives."

Got to read all that fine print! I would say the auto parts limitation is intended to protect the overpriced parts stores and dealerships since they charge double and more US prices. An example: Original equipment Nissan oil filter from US Nissan dealership parts department $6.95, same filter from Colombian Nissan dealership $18.00 US (1dollar=2.000 CP) One time I took the truck in and the filter was on sale for only $15.00 US!

Back to the airport, I asked about paying a "tax" on them. He decided to just be a nice guy and let me through (no tax).

By Atrevido on Oct 17, 2009, 17:35 in Friendly Talkzone.

mcheasley says on Oct 17, 2009, 21:30:

Thanks for the info..........

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 18, 2009, 09:20:

Greg John correct. As to "law" there is evidently some flexibility. I think he just took pity on me because when he opened my second bag a bottle of liquid I´d packed had been opened by TSA and not re-tightened so it had leaked all over the contents. Anyway what if I´d gotten the green light? Also it so happened that none of the baggage from my flight was run through the x-ray so maybe I would have gotten my Glock in too (if I had one...) That assuming it got by those TSA sons of bitches in Miami of course. As to my memory no I didn´t forget to mention anything. This is the complete statement on the back of the DIAN form:

"Travelers cannot bring as luggage, goods such as tires, automobile spare parts, guns, ammunition or explosives."

Which of those six catagories does a bicycle fit into?

https://sites.google.com/site/colombianaturesite/nature-images

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 18, 2009, 16:09:

Good info. I hope I get not searched a lot. I´m not sure I understand though, are you saying Shakira could get away with bringing in a crankshaft? Anyway I guess if I get the green light next time and I´ve got front and rear main bearings in my bag I´ll just have to learn to live with myself after that lapse into moral turpitude.

https://sites.google.com/site/colombianaturesite/nature-images

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 18, 2009, 16:38:

Rules in Colombia? jaja Well it is true you can not bring in car parts. I remember once I came in and they asked if I had dollars I said nada mucho next thing you know a hard boiled egg is yelling at me to go be searched, everyone heard it including the people at the table doing the searching. Ok so know what I did? I put it up on the xray machine, closest to me ran it through and then walked out with it. The portero was all with me on that one and we moved the bags out, I gave him a big tip and that was that. The hard egg made that statement and then left. The little boys dressed as police looked at me and that was it.

I had about 3mil in contaband in the two bags. That is Colombia, no one wants to piss of the wrong person. I am not saying I am the wrong person but the rules here only apply to good people who follow them. If you don't know one is going to take the risk of getting put in the ground over a job they make 70k a month doing. the last thing I like doing is feeding corruption at DIAN.

Sorry that is just the truth probably will not fall in line with the Colombia all the experts on here know but it is my Colombia.

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 18, 2009, 16:50:

So the inspection agents at Alfonso Bonilla airport in Cali earn $70.000 a month or is that quincena? Or do you mean they earn seventy thousand US dollars? If the former I feel very ashamed as I really should have given the poor lad something.

https://sites.google.com/site/colombianaturesite/nature-images

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 18, 2009, 16:55:

I am talking about your little boys serving their community time. The inspection agent left when she thought there was a possibility I had a bunch of dollars. Get it anyone? or is this just going over all your heads? I don't think I can make these comments here you are all just way to lame to understand what is really going on in Colombia. oh well.

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Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 18, 2009, 17:02:

How does it feel to be a classic case Paranoid?

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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Atrevido (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 18, 2009, 17:17:

I´m completely lost now: "I am talking about your little boys serving their community time". Are you reffering to child prostitution or gangbangers recently released from prison or something else? Anyway I like your suggestion about making the agents suspect you have lots of dollars in order to scare them. What kind of body language do you use? Do you like raise your eyebrows at them or wink or something?

https://sites.google.com/site/colombianaturesite/nature-images

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Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 18, 2009, 17:25:

Probably blows them a kiss, would be my guess.

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 19, 2009, 00:58:

classic again

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 19, 2009, 08:36:

I am obviously talking about the bachelorette's "police" Have you ever been to the airport? Sometimes it is nice to just give enough info and see if anyone can put it together. They make 70k or so a month, the only people over there working for that little bit. That was an easy one yet no one got it. I get bored sometimes sory it is just fun to learn who I am chatting with. I beleive it is a bunch of defensive gringos who know very little about Colombia, usually what their girlfriends told them and they will protect that little piece of info with everything. jaja

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Miguel_Clavo says on Oct 19, 2009, 08:58:

i agree. Kool.

I think he only knows what he is talking about. =)

RVW orderded me to remove my tagline congratulating the PBH Mods New Golden Boys. Lame.

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jb_fastpitch says on Oct 20, 2009, 13:38:

How do you get your firearms into the country if you can't stow them in your luggage?
Maybe I need to sell mine and buy new in Colombia when I move.

Choose Liberty, there is no such thing as equality.

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jb_fastpitch says on Oct 20, 2009, 13:39:

What about carry permits. Do I have to go to BGT or can I just go to local policia?

Choose Liberty, there is no such thing as equality.

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 21, 2009, 10:53:

If you move to Colombia to live permanently with the proper visa, you are allowed to import 1 "sporting" firearm.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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dwmte7 says on Oct 21, 2009, 13:35:

do they tax that robert? and if so, based on what?

patriarch

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Robert Jorge says on Oct 21, 2009, 14:04:

No idea Douglas, but my guess is no tax as it is considered part of your personal, household items.

"You can not take the barrio out of the girl you really can't." Oneforamillion

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dwmte7 says on Oct 21, 2009, 17:27:

well being part of personal property does NOT exempt items from taxation....ojala! those colombians pinch a buck when and where they can. been there done that.

patriarch

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oneforyourmillion says on Oct 22, 2009, 09:22:

You can import whatever you want pistol wise as long as it is legal here, new, you have the proper papers and bring it in legal and open, pay all the empuestos/tax to DIAN, proper papers with them, etc. Ther are people can help you with this for a small fee. Like 100K pesos. It is no big deal.

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jb_fastpitch says on Oct 22, 2009, 13:33:

One 4 Million
Are there any legal firearms dealers in Colombia? Do they have an equivalent to our second amendment in the States?
Do the "proper papers" permit concealed carry?

Choose Liberty, there is no such thing as equality.

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