Process for Changing Plates, CA to Panama?

[Lux]

Thinking of buying a car with Cali plates. Anyone familiar with the process? The "pink slip" is in good order and the VIN is clean.

[Pantah]

I nationalized my own vehicle some years back. Rules and taxes have changed a lot. I would not buy a vehicle here unless it was nationalized first. Too risky. Case in point: Ryan Grassley of Boquete video fame, bought a moto with European tags here in Panama, but needed the sellers presence (who had departed) to finish all the paperwork. Somewhere on his youtube videos (half-throttle) he talks about it. Major nightmare for him.

Also, aduana has you by the huevos on the valuation for tax purposes. You don't have much if any leverage. Better to let the seller do all this first. If the vehicle has overstayed its "visa" more problems.

[Keith Woolford]

i concur. If I thought bringing autos here from the U.S. was good business, I might be doing it. There are just too many unknowns.

[Lux]

I guess you would know-- I hear you have the Boquete market cornered, as well as in your corner. Seen any manual 4x4 pos trucks? (pos is my pricerange)

[Keith Woolford]

I read you, Lux. Please send me an email.  [e-mail]

[Lux]

This is just the kind of info I needed. Thanks for your time.

[Keith Woolford]

First of all, the vehicle will have to be cleared through the Aduana and nationalized. Without knowing the specifics of the automobile, who could estimate the duties and fees that process might generate? Once that step is complete, you can start the registration process which includes at least two inspections.

[Lux]

Thanks, Keith. In your opinion, are these difficult inspections to pass?

[Keith Woolford]

Depends on how the original Title reads. The process can cause a severe headache if all the info they want isn't on it.