[smileyboy]

I was wondering if anyone have any insight into shipping from the States to Bolivia?

My wife and I are hoping to move to Bolivia by this time next year. WE will be missionaries for a few years there, preaching in remote parts of the country, Sometimes by ATV, Landcruising or walking. I thought about taking my Landcrusier since it is setup for this terrain and if I decide to sell it, I would probably get more for it there than here.


Please give any feedback on this topic.

Thanks

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by smileyboy

if I decide to sell it, I would probably get more for it there than here.

I doubt that. They can probably get diesels which would mean a gasser is like a white elephant.

I know in Guatemala I would not get as much for my 'Cruiser as I would here at home.

[smileyboy]

The country is pretty poor, car are expensive... I've been there before.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by smileyboy

The country is pretty poor, car are expensive... I've been there before.

You can describe Guatemala the same way.

Have you looked into the import duties on vehicles? You might be in for a shock. Guatemala values them VERY highly and charges duties in accordance with their assessments not necessarily real values.

[cruiserloco]

I think is a great idea to bring your Cruiser over there, it will cost you 2000$ for shipment plus the paper work in Peru and Bolivia, because Bolivia doesn't have a port.
You can use the trip as a exploration

[greentruck]

Best bet to get it there in one piece is to ship it in a container. Another option is to pick it up at the port and drive overland to Bolivia, which unfortunately lost its ocean access in war more than a century ago.

Be sure to make customs arrangements beforehand. Hopefully there is a religious or charitable exemption. If not, a tourist exemption may work, in which you ensure that the vehicle will eventually be re-exported at the end of your mission. Otherwise, you'll get hit with significant taxes and duties.

Hard to say about exact value, but I agree with others that it being a gas version is likely to hurt its value. The top-of-the-line fittings that we're forced to take in the US may help offset this some, if you can find someone with the funds to buy it at the end of your mission. However, selling it then will trigger the taxes you would otherwise avoid and the intervening years of hard use on the rough roads of a place like Bolivia won't help the resale value. Sure, it's an 80 and it's built for that sort of use, but you know what I'm saying.

You may want to consider selling or storing your 80 here and checking into buying a diesel 80 there. You might find that to be a better option, especially once shipping costs are figured in.

[goneloco]

I don't think a gasser is a big deal. My wife is from there and I have spent a lot of time down there and Diesels are rare. Most of the land cruisers I have driven in were gas. I remember doing the desert trip from San Pedro, Chile to the Salar and all the cruisers were gassers.

You should be able to send your cruiser to Arica, Chile which is a main vehicle hub. Or just fly there and try to buy one.

Cruisers are expensive there as it is the rich and the politicians that drive them. If you were to bring your own I know for a fact that there are ways of bringing your truck in to the country that are not above board but there are no taxes and once in, it gets losted and selling it becomes with no real issue. A sad fact of a country that has issues with being corupt.

If you have put time and energy into your cruiser then Bolivia is the place to take it. It is a great country for adventuring off the beaten trail. It is our families plan to build a cruiser here and ship it down and do extended trips based out of Bolivia in all directions. We will leave the truck at the family farm and come back every couple years to continue the trip.

Good luck and Enjoy!

[mobi-arc]

They really love automatic transmissions in these third-world sh*t holes too.

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

I doubt that. They can probably get diesels which would mean a gasser is like a white elephant.

I know in Guatemala I would not get as much for my 'Cruiser as I would here at home.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by mobi-arc

They really love automatic transmissions in these third-world sh*t holes too.

Yep, I'm sure that and the computers will help increase the value!!

[BJay]

Don't want to burst your bubble or anything but... they're not letting any cars in now that are over 5 years old unless you're just passing through. Already went down that route a few months ago with a lawyer friend here.

There's plenty you can buy here. Just saw an 80 today for sale here in Cochabamba. 60 series are hard to get because no-one wants to sell them. 40's are all over the place. And yes they're worth more money here than in the states... especially now with the new import laws.

Original parts are about a third of the price here and I just found a guy that has an ARB catalouge and has been copying the designs for bumpers. He does awesome work and cheap. He's going to make me swing out bumpers and a custom rack. I'm also getting a custom long range fuel tank and water tanks out of stainless steel for a song

I say save a ton of hassle, buy one here... pay a bit more but save a ton replacing parts an setting it up for what you want to do.

Just my opinon though

If you come through Cochabamba one day look me up and I'll show you around for the day







.

[canucksafari]

There are diesel LC in Bolivia. Seen plenty of them but most flying UN colours.

BJay, your a lucky one. Cochabamba is one place I could stand moving to. Beautiful little city with great food and of course Chicha.