I'm re-posting this as a new thread as I am keen to get this sorted out in the next few days, my africa trip hangs on this it seems now.

I'm getting a new 1200GSA and need German export plates for this US spec bought by a US owner (Me!). I am buying it from military sales and want to do the long way down to get home in the USA (by flight from cape town)

the BMW dealer has offered me export plates but only for 3 months. other posts on the HUBB suggest that german export plates can be had for up to a year. I need 8 months. Is this a new rule in germany, is the dealer just wrong, can i take their 3 month plates and extend them to 8 months?

I think African borders will care if my plates are expired, I'd like to get USA plates but not at the cost of flying my bike home and back!

Suggestions?
(PS I learned that the CAA will do a carnet for a german export plate vehicle for a US owner)

Hi,

You can get Ausfuhrkennzeichen for up to 12 Months and i think once you left the EU nobody will care anyway but to register a vehicle in germany it needs german papers and you need a german adress. Some countrys requier the name in the bike papers to be the same as in your passport...

Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3

Travel save, Tobi

German export plates can be very convenient (I think Germany has easy procedures to promote car sales):

* You do NOT need a German address or to be a German national.

* Duration can be chosen in monthly steps up to a year.

* Cost starts at ca. € 150 for one month plates incl. EU-wide insurance.

* EU-wide insurance is sometimes included (e.g. at a plate printer in Munich), but sometimes you need to find the next insurance agent who is usually near the registration offices. Insurance is compulsory for the whole duration and is the most expensive part)

* If you drive through Africa, no one will care if the export plate is still valid, as long as you buy local insurance. If someone cares (never happened to me) the cost will be a "cadeau".

* Export plates can and will usually be a problem at the big borders to Ukraine, Belorussia, Russia. I am told this can be sorted out with a (high) deposit payment - or better with a "donation", but it may be a pain.

* The name on the car papers need NOT match with the driver, but in that case you need a letter of authorization, which you can write yourself and needs no official stamp.

* The number of countries worldwide that really require a carnet can be counted on one hand.

Don't ask the automobile clubs for info, as they make money with carnets and authorization stamps.