Last time we drove from Cartagena, Colombia to Mar del Plata, Argentina was in 2011. Based on this experience, we are happy to report that it has become a considerable easier and faster procedure to cross borders. Every border crossing, however, is different and has its somewhat casual and contextual challenges. Some border crossings now have both countries’ administrative offices in joint buildings making the migratory process easier (out of one country and in the other). The same is often the case of customs clearance, making it easier getting the vehicle export documentation in one country and import documentation in the other. The main difficulty at most border crossings is getting a 3rd party liability insurance (the famous SOAT). For instance, when crossing the border at Bella Union from Brazil to Uruguay, we were not allowed to cross the border and import the vehicle since we lacked the obligatory 3rd party insurance. Consequently, were held up for several hours, first attempting to negotiate with the customs officers. Eventually, the solution presented itself. An ex-police officer from Montevideo specializing in helping truckers passing the border drove Mona in his Hilux pickup to the nearest town and returned her with the required SOAT-document in hand. Again, an angel turned up to lend us a hand…… no money changed hands and the ex-police officer simply helped us without anything in return. However, the solution was not evident – it took inventiveness, dialogue, a touch of negotiation skills and a good portion of patience to persevere until the ex-police officer finally volunteered. And naturally, these situations are easier to handle when one speaks the language, has experience and can better interpret the ambience…
Also, Black has been well received at all border crossings, having his chip in place, all his vaccines and his passport up to date. He is also a qualified medical alert dog, which makes things smoother when crossing borders (well behaved as he is as a service dog he raises less questions and gets more respect).
Fortunately, this time around we have also had fewer problems the various times we have been stopped in police checkpoints. A vehicle with Spanish registration, however, seems to draw a special attention. Consequently, we have been pulled over a few times, usually to check the documentation of the driver and the vehicle (and sometimes, close the borders, even the dog). We have also been stopped for not having full lights on (which is obligatory in Peru) and speeding (in Bolivia), usually the only vehicle stopped in a row of several cars. In these cases, it is without doubt, also beneficial to speak Spanish and quickly learn to be very humble and apologetic. More than once we have avoided paying fines, when Martha has explained that it was all due misunderstandings by her Nordic blue-eyed partner…… One quickly learns to ask for pardon, show humility, cry when required and play your hand well. On this trip, the only time a bribe was suggested was when a customs-officer on the border to Argentina meekly attempted to charge something extra because we were crossing the border with a German shepherd. An attempt which we did not take seriously and simply did not pay attention to.
elworldtrip 
Posted on August 12, 2023 by elworldtrip
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