The two types of "permissions" to import your vehicle....

RAAAY says on May 13, 2008, 06:59:

If you are on a tourist visa, permit for the bike will only be given for the duration of the tourist visa.

If you get an extension on the tourist visa from DAS, you can then go and get an extension of the bike permit from DIAN.

If you have some other type of visa, student, business, investor etc you can get a three month permit for the bike and then get it renewed at your local DIAN for a further 3 months.

If you have then used up the two 3 month periods, you will need to exit the country for one day. On arrival back into Colombia, with a fresh entry stamp on your passport, you can then go to DIAN and get a new 3 month permit. Then another 3 month extension.

There are no charges to bring in the bike.

If you keep doing this process, it's anybody guess how many times you will be allowed to do it. I will have the bike here for a total of 15 months, by the time my current permit and extension expires. Will somebody at DIAN eventually tell me to feck off ?? Who knows ?
But it is working fine so far.


.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

bradenmiami says on May 13, 2008, 07:13:

Raaay...thanks for the quick response! A few clarification questions, as I have a work visa:

1. How difficult was it for you to prepare the bike for transport and transport? Anything special needed in this process, besides I assume draining it of all fluids??? And is it necessary to have the title in hand or can it be a financed bike?

2. Ok, so I leave the country for one day...obviously not necessary ON the bike. Technically could I just leave the bike at home and head to Ecuador or Venezuela for a day? Does it have to be overnight or just in-and-out to show an exit and return?

3. When I come back in, can I get the new 3-month permit at the Medellin DIAN or do I have to work with the one at the border? Do the permits/extensions cost anything?

4. And each time you get a new permit, you can get an extension? So technically it is only required to leave once every 6 months?

Thanks!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

RAAAY says on May 13, 2008, 07:31:

1. I got somebody to do it. They had to build a crate, as I flew it down. It needs to be drained of gas, but I left enough in it to get to a gas station here. It was'nt a problem.
Yes, the title is critical. It must be free of liens, not financed or leased vehicle. And the bill of sale. Both need to be origionals.

2. Overnight is better. They need to chech the bike on arrival in each time. They will take an imprint of the Vin #. So you need to have it with you, at least when you get to DIAN at whichever border crossing.

3.At the border, then the extension at your local DIAN. There are no charges for the permits/extensions.

4. Yes.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

bradenmiami says on May 13, 2008, 07:39:

Wow....that rocks! Only leave the country once every 6 months...and have my bike here at no cost to me except shipping? I'm on it....my Christmas gift to myself!

Any recommendation/reference on the cost to get it here or who to use? I have only had experience with JJ Logistics in Miami after a lot of research, but would be open to suggestions.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

RAAAY says on May 13, 2008, 07:44:

Any of the air cargo carriers. Tampa Air, Giriag (sp) or Centurian. Deal direct with them. Paperwork has to be submitted to US customs 72 hours before intended departure. Once they give the clearence, you're good to go. Cost should be around $500 - $600. You can haggle with them.

If you use a forwarder, they will do the customs paperwork for you, but they charge.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

bradenmiami says on May 13, 2008, 07:56:

Thanks Raaay....hope others might find this thread useful in the future!

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

Brians says on May 13, 2008, 08:14:

I am nominating RAAAY as resident PBH vehicle import export expert. I wonder if I could do this with a car but pay RAAAY to drive it back and forth across the borders for me.

Frank Rizzo says on May 13, 2008, 08:37:

Great info Ray.......any idea if cars are done the same way??? Thanks again Ray !!

jonas says on May 13, 2008, 08:46:

should be the same for cars. I have seen R/Vs coming into the country this way. Just the shipping is a lot more expensive, even from Panama to Cartagena the cost of shipping is ridiculous.

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

RAAAY says on May 13, 2008, 08:56:

Yes Frank...........it's the same process for cars.

After you arrive here, you also have to get the minimum insurance. The SOAT for the bike costs around 230,000 COP per year, no idea what it is for a car. The SOAT can be got at a lot of gas stations or in any insurance agency office.

Additional insurance, such as theft, is expensive and after the large deductables here, it's questionable if it's even worth it. But it can be got.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

Frank Rizzo says on May 13, 2008, 09:09:

Thanks Ray !!

vicshere says on May 13, 2008, 09:13:

so my resident visa is good till 2015 so i can bring it in till then...if what your saying is correct...gator??????

listo

calipro says on May 14, 2008, 07:08:

Doesn't sound very practical to bring a car to Cali this way. I'd hate to have to drive it all the way to Cucuta every six months just to get it across the border and back.

jonas says on May 14, 2008, 10:34:

Cali to Ipiales would be your route.

What I have, I do not want to lose, but Where I am I do not want to stay, but those I love, I do not want to leave, but those I know I no longer want to see, but Where I die, I do not want to go;I want to stay where I have never been

Frank Rizzo says on May 14, 2008, 10:36:

Miami to b/ventura.... trucked to cali...

bradenmiami says on May 14, 2008, 15:44:

By the way, to continue providing good info that this post currently has, spoke with Raphael at JJ Logistics today today regarding the shipment of a bike. As of now, a "regular sized bike" (600-1200cc, nothing as big as a Harley or small as a scooter) would run:

$225 +/- for the paperwork
$120 +/- for the crate building
$500 +/- for the packaging and shipping

This is Miami to Medellin, shipped as equipaje to accompany a return trip to Colombia...

Cheers...

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

RAAAY says on May 14, 2008, 15:53:

Seems a tad on the high side for paperwork. I'd put a call into the US customs at Miami. they'll tell you what you need for them. Just bring it to them. You don't need an agent on the Colombian side, so no fees involved there. Maybe they are quoting for an agent in Medellin. That is absolutely not needed.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

Alma del Norte says on May 14, 2008, 17:13:

Got a mate shipping BMW 850 Bogota-Miami on Friday with Girag. Cost: $900

La vida es una rutina

RAAAY says on May 14, 2008, 17:16:

He did'nt haggle with them very well..........They'd have taken $600 for that bike.

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

Alma del Norte says on May 14, 2008, 17:20:

He's useless, Raaay...

La vida es una rutina

Alma del Norte says on May 14, 2008, 17:20:

And desperate

La vida es una rutina

RAAAY says on May 14, 2008, 17:27:

I spoke to the head guy at Girag one week ago. He asked for $1000 to ship a bigger bike. I said I'd pay $400.....he said $600...I said ok.............I think I would have gotten away with $500.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

bradenmiami says on May 15, 2008, 06:02:

The paperwork price was for all customs paperwork and what he explained to be an $85 "Dangerous Goods" submission also. I dont really know all of the paperwork required for this, but they seem to hve been nice and honest to me and others in the past. Since I live in Medellin, and would only be going back to get the bike dropped off to him during one day of a visit, I wouldnt have much interest in handling all the paperwork myself and dealing with Miami traffic, lines and bullshit - so almost worth the money if I can find out the price is not way overinflated.

As for overall price, I would think it could go lower - I did not haggle, just got the info, since I'm not even prepared to do this just yet.

The "lovemedellin website" is a piece of crap made by some moron who has only been to Medellin once...you'd be better off reading the Lonely Planet advice from a guy who never even came here!

dwmte7 says on May 16, 2008, 19:22:

oh! if i would have known all this when i was young and had money........ not many of you can remember this but back in the 80's when i was the only gringo living in poblado, what a treat it would have been to have my own short. then, i had money and priviledge. now, old and tired, i don't have the money, just gray hair and false teeth. love your youth, friends, it's so soon gone and replaced by the inevitable...old age. now, next stop, 70, i just put up with the days and long for the day when mom and i can go home and the little one can be off on her own or at university so i can go back to the finca, watch the cows piss, hang with my friends and watch the sun rise and set in the magnificence which is only found at the breast of mother colombia....

dwmte