Stuck in Argentina with a tranny problem

[Nicolanders]

The package finally arrived! But Argentinian customs has decided to send it back to the U.S.

Why? Because it is not allowed to import used auto parts into Argentina Explaining that the parts have no local replacement made no difference.

At one point we actually saw the customs officials open up the package passing the counter shaft around. There was a few drops of oil on the parts which meant it was even more impossible.

This is a strange world we live in where this shaft was at one point only two meters in front of where it needed to be, but will now be shipped back to the States, only to be re-shipped and send down here again. It is a good thing the world is abundant with resources and that carbon consumption is absolutely no problem Such idiocy...

Our plan is now to go to Chile by bus and receive it there, and bring it back across the border ourselves (where they never check). It's only another 3000 km.

[Coyote Patrol]

WOW, im sorry about that guys, i tried. let me know what i need to do to resend them.

[Nicolanders]

WOW, im sorry about that guys, i tried. let me know what i need to do to resend them.

Don't be, Ron! We were the ones who put "used auto parts" on the customs declaration. Hope we have better luck next time! Thanks again for helping us out.

[RiverPatrol]

Wow! Typically stating 'Used auto parts' is the easiest way to ship something internationally. Sounds to me like the customs guys were hoping for some dinero to be passed their way. That is quite common down there. Sorry to hear of your continued troubles.

[Esteban]

Wow! Typically stating 'Used auto parts' is the easiest way to ship something internationally. Sounds to me like the customs guys were hoping for some dinero to be passed their way. That is quite common down there. Sorry to hear of your continued troubles.

Really sorry to hear this! If the parts are still within reach, why don't you take the old ones and exchange those with the ones that Ron sent you (some dinero might have to get involved, and probably the help of some local ). That way the custom people will "fulfill" their job, and you will have the parts.

Good luck.

Edit: corrected a typo: loca for local. Loca is a crazy women in Spanish

[sleepyzzz]

Wow! Typically stating 'Used auto parts' is the easiest way to ship something internationally. Sounds to me like the customs guys were hoping for some dinero to be passed their way. That is quite common down there. Sorry to hear of your continued troubles.

Really sorry to hear this! If the parts are still within reach, why don't you take the old ones and exchange those with the ones that Ron sent you (some dinero might have to get involved, and probably the help of some loca l). That way the custom people will "fulfill" their job, and you will have the parts.

Good luck.

good luck on this, and i hope it all gets better.

[Nicolanders]

Indeed, the import laws are so in Argentina. Illegal to import used auto parts. We should have pretended they were new.

Really sorry to hear this! If the parts are still within reach, why don't you take the old ones and exchange those with the ones that Ron sent you (some dinero might have to get involved, and probably the help of some local ). That way the custom people will "fulfill" their job, and you will have the parts.

That is a very simple and brilliant idea. We are going to try it. We went to the customs place to day and were lucky enough to stumble upon a guy who seemed to be reasonable. He's looking into it.

And we really hope it works, because they also told us that the package will stay at the Tucuman customs office until May 16th before they send it back. Even though they have clearly stated that it is impossible to import it. We even talked to an authorized and independent "dispatcher of customs" who said the same thing, didn't even bother to explain very much.

[Nicolanders]

Unfortunately, we have not been able to get the parts out of customs. They will return to send on Friday. So Ron, you should have them back by the end of the month.

Instead, our mechanic is going to repair the broken counter shaft and the bearings. The bearings will be coated with another metal, we are not entirely sure what is going to happen with the shaft (or if he is actually going to have a new one forged).

Ron, please hold on to the old parts for us. We will look at the results and see if the repaired parts are fine, or if we should replace the when we leave Argentina for a less bureaucratic system.

Esteban, when the repairs are done, it would be great if you could call the mechanic again to help us determine how well the repaired parts will function.

Thanks for all your help guys! We are now really hoping to get out of this country

[Esteban]

Sorry to hear about your problems with customs. Beyond any comment...

I'll be more than glad to talk to Ariel, the mechanic when the time comes.

Good luck.

[Coyote Patrol]

Ok i will hold on to them for you. Sorry for the problems. Hope your journey goes smooth from this point. Good luck to you guys, please keep us posted. By the way my hats off to you Esteban, that is nice of you to contact the mechanic and sort things out for them.