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Selling car from Chile in Columbia

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Astridkuehne
  4/30/2016 14:23 EST

We are traveling the PanAm and would like to sell our Nissan Xtrail in Columbia, in order to not drive back 7000 km to Santiago. How can we do it? Do we need to import the car and how much would that be? Anyone knows anyone who could help us?
Car:
THE CAR is a 2009 Nissan X Trail Full 4WD with an economic but powerful 2.5l C VTC petrol engine
-approx. 135’000 km by the end of our trip
-registered in Chile (Chilean plates)
We paid 9000 USD in Chile in Januar 2016.
We are happy to sell for cheaper in order to not drive back.
Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
Astrid

LaPiranha
  4/30/2016 18:28 EST

Don't think that's going to be possible. You can't import a used car into Colombia, unless its less than a year old, or a veteran or diplomatic car.

But do check the laws, as the rules change, but I haven't heard of any amendments to the rule.

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WhoaNellie
  4/30/2016 18:34 EST

You can check here but it appears to still be as Mr. Fish said:

https://www.mintransporte.gov.co/loader.php?lServicio=FAQ&lFuncion=viewPreguntas&id=85

Santiago1987
  5/1/2016 05:34 EST

Have you considered selling it in Panama or Costa Rica?

Astridkuehne
  5/1/2016 11:03 EST

no, sounds interesting. We just don't want to drive back all the way to Santiago. How would it work to sell the car in Costa Rica or Panama? Is that possible / easier?
Thanks for your help!

thelocogringo
  5/1/2016 15:37 EST

Astrid,

I have brought several vehicle's into Colombia from other countrys. It is impossible to registar any used vehicle legally.

There is no country in Central or South America that will allow foreign vehicles to be registered, with the exception of Mexico, El Salvador and Guatamala.

The trip to Panama, crossing the gap can cost 1 to 2 thousand dollars and even then, you are not going to get a lot in any of the Leagle to sell countries.

The vehicles that I brought into Colombia, I sold as parts.

A vehicle such as yours, not really much you can do with it other than pass it on to some one who wants to drive to Chile or sell it for parts. You are probably looking at 2 to 3 thousand dollars, should you find the right buyer.

I hate to burst your bubble, just giving it to you straight.

Most people who do this trip, buy a low cost vehicle in the USA and drive South, then sell it to another person who wants to make the trip north.

You did it in a kind of reverse order.

Any way, I am sure you had a great trip, an adventure.

Good luck, Martin

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cafetero
  5/1/2016 15:52 EST

Just out of curiosity.....could a gringo living in colombia buy this car and continue to use it in Colombia but keep it registered in Chile? Would that even be possible do you think?

thelocogringo
  5/1/2016 16:35 EST

Good question Coffee Guy,

When the vehicle enters Colombia, it is granted temporary permission to be used as a tourist vehicle. This permision usally runs from 30 to 90 days and is based on the owners tourist visa. The lenght of time granted for the vehicle can not be longer than the owners visa. The vehicle must leave with the owner and can not stay past the permission date. Extensions can be aplied for, running concurrent with the owners visa.

Only a tourist visa holder qualifys to enter a vehicle to be used for tourism. Residends and Citizens are prohibited with a few exceptions.

Any vehical that is in Colombia beyond the permited date becomes the property of Colombia with out any further action.

Basicly as a tourist, they will allow you to bring in your car, be a tourist and then leave, as a tourist should do.

Martin

cafetero
  5/1/2016 17:09 EST

Thanks loco, good input. Sounds like a pretty bleak situation.

thelocogringo
  5/1/2016 17:46 EST

Coffee guy, not really so bleak, there are lots of options for this guy. They can just have the car returned to Chile, send it by transport or drive it or several other ideas. The issue here is just about money.

Every country in the world controls the movement of vehicles within thier borders. Taxes and manages the purchase, registration, movement and sale of vehicles.

Nothing suprising here.

If you buy a car in Arizona and later move to Georgia, they have certian requirements.

Not bleak at all.

Chucklesg
  5/1/2016 23:23 EST

A little off topic, but too bad all these countries, like Colombia and the US, control cars so well but the weapons are ramped and mostly uncontrolled!

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Astridkuehne
  5/2/2016 09:53 EST

Mmmm. bad news. Does anyone know how to sell a foreign car in Mexico, El Salvador or Guatemala? It could be an option to keep the car until Mexico and sell it there if that is feasible? Thanks for all your help!!!!

thelocogringo
  5/2/2016 10:37 EST

Astrid, not really bad news at all. You can easily sell the car in Mexico, there are lots of brokers that buy forien cars and nationalise them in Mexico. The issue is only about how much they will pay.

A car like yours wholesales for about 4 thousand in the USA, so you can probally get close to that in Mexico.

The best alternative is to ship the car by sea from Buena Ventura back to the dealer you bought if from. I do not know how much it will fetch but the cost to send it back to Chili will be less than driving it to Mexico.

Either way you are no going to get a whole lot. Afterall, it is a 7 year old car with 125,000 hard kms on it.

Martin

patocarna
  8/9/2016 10:16 EST

Hi Guys, could you give me more information on this brokers that may help us to sell a foreign car in Mexico?

Thanks

dliss62
  8/9/2016 17:30 EST

LaPiranha is correct. Used cars are not allowed. If you import a new car the tariff is 90% of the purchase price. OUCH!

hayleydanny
  2/28/2017 12:53 EST

Hey Martin,
Can you tell us how you sold the car for parts in Colombia. As we cannot sell a chilean car in Colombia, we are thinking it might be worth selling our car for parts instead. The car is in Santa Marta but can drive wherever.
What is the best way to sell the car for parts in Colombia.
Thanks

Jaybee315
  2/28/2017 15:35 EST

If you're willing to sell cheap, depending on when and where you'll be in Colombia, I may be able to help.

While I had no plans to drive to Santiago, the thought of the trip does appeal to me. I would be willing to do one of two things.

1. Buy the car, drive it back, sell it back to the dealer at enough profit to cover gas and the flight back to Medellín. I would expect some assurance from the dealer of the price he would offer, assuming condition is unchanged.

2. Work a 3 way deal with you and the dealer (assuming he will buy it back) that covers my extra expenses (gas + return flight). No matter where I am, I have to eat and have a place to sleep, so I have no issue with paying my own food and lodging. The actual sell/purchase will be between you and the dealer.

Most likely, the best price for you is going to be back in Chile. I will be available beginning April 10.

hayleydanny
  2/28/2017 16:03 EST

Hey,

Thanks for your response. We would be happy to sell the car to you in Colombia for cheaper.
However we didn't buy through a dealer so we have no way of confirming a sale at the other end. We could only sell it on an agreed price and you would have to organise selling it in Chile.
I understand this might not have enough of a garauntee for you. But let us know what you think.
April would work for us.
Cheers Danny

Jaybee315
  3/1/2017 14:53 EST

I will get back to you with a private message later this afternoon.

Jaybee315
  3/1/2017 17:02 EST

@HayleyDanny

Check your private messages.

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