What is a Carnet?
A 'Carnet de Passages en Douanes' is an Internationally recognised customs document which allows you to temporarily import your vehicle into a country without paying any importation tax. Effectively it's an insurance that you will take the vehicle out of the country again by a specified date. If you do not then the country can obtain the money owed for importation taxes from the company you have the carnet with. This is to prevent you selling your car.
Do I need a Carnet?
We are advised that everyone needs a Carnet for India and all but the Australians for Australia. Turkey simply writes the vehicle details in your passport and you cannot leave the country without the car or paying the import tax. Other countries on the route do not require a Carnet. However, check this with your Carnet issuer when applying.
Using a Carnet
The carnet is a book of pages; each page is divided into three. Each page is pre-printed with the carnet holder and vehicle details shown on the lower 2 sections. These sections will be removed by customs on entry and exit from each country. Carnet holders should ensure that the top 'stub' receipt section is stamped and completed by customs on entry/exit from each country. This remains in the document and is proof to the carnet issuing authority of export of the vehicle.
When you return home the carnet has to be sent to the organisation you bought it from, including any unused sheets. They will then discharge the carnet and return any deposit or security to you. Failure to return all the forms filled in correctly could be expensive as you may not get your deposit back or may have to pay import duty on your vehicle.
Loss of Vehicle
If you have a serious breakdown or crash and can't export the vehicle then it is important that you obtain proof. Photographs and an official letter from the local police should be obtained and forwarded to the relevant authorities.
Obtaining a Carnet
You should get your Carnet from your country's Carnet issuing authority - usually the national motoring organisation, however, the Canadian Automobile Association issues Carnets for both Canada & America. You will need to supply information about your vehicle including the registration documents and weight.
Cost of Carnet
You will have to pay for the carnet and either make a deposit or obtain a Letter of Security from your bank or take out insurance for the deposit which may be up to up to about 500% of the value of your car. If your vehicle is worth £5,000 then the deposit will be up to £25,000 - obviously it does not pay to overvalue your car. For individual applications the insurance premium for underwriting the bond normally costs 2 to 5% of the bond. The RAC in the UK is hoping to arrange a special group rate for European entrants costing about £170 for a Carnet and the insurance premium.
Pathfinder Buy-back vehicles
The Carnet for the "Buy-back" vehicles is provided by TWE as part of the package.
Some Contacts:
AUSTRALIA
The Australian Automobile Association
Tel: +61 2 6247 7311 Website: www.aaa.asn.au
(Check out list of State motoring clubs for applications)
UK
RAC Motoring Services
Tel: +44 1454 208 000
Email: pkgowen@rac.co.uk
USA & CANADA
Canadian Automobile Association
Tel: +1 613 247 0117 Website: www.caa.ca
