Documents
You need to gather a fair bit of supporting
documentation for a trip like ours. Apart from the visa's which we cover
separately you need to consider the following: Carnet (de
Passage en Douane)
The Carnet is an internationally recognised custom document which
entitles you to temporarily import your vehicle into a country duty free. If you do not have a valid Carnet when your vehicle
arrives then you are likely to face import duties which for the countries we
visit range from 150 - 200% of the value of the vehicle!
It can be obtained from the RAC and comes in 10, or 25 page sizes, one
page for each country or for subsequent visits to the same country. Each
page is stamped once on entry and once on departure, you need to bring
the Carnet back at the end of your trip with all the relevant stamps in
place.
You will need to provide security to the RAC in case you default on the
Carnet, which is up to the maximum amount of risk i.e. in our case 200% of
the value of the vehicle!
The security can be any of the following:
- A bank guarantee
- A deposit lodged with the RAC (maximum £10,000)
- A specialist insurance policy which negates the need to put
up the deposit.
The policy sounds attractive but be aware you will pay a hefty premium (~ £2,000+) of which
50% will be refunded when you return the Carnet properly stamped. However, with
the other options you get all your money back once the Carnet is discharged.
Each year we buy a 25 page Carnet which with admin fees costs about £125 but then you need to also set aside funds to the value of
the security so
whichever option you choose arranging a Carnet is an expensive business.
International Driving Permit
Not essential but useful to show when asked for your licence at the many
police roadblocks, again can be
obtained from the RAC for about £6.
International Certificate for Motor Vehicles
Again not essential but we got one just in
case, cost around £15 from the RAC.
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