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.

Next

 

 

 

Home | About | Rupert | Route | Links |
Equipment | Documentation | Medical | Visas | Research | Training | Web Site
Website template by Better Websites, Southport
Copyright © Pete & Sue Egan. All rights reserved.