To Carnet or not to Carnet
 

Hello,

I am planning a trip with my friend - we're both from Australia but have European passports. The idea is to buy motorcycles in Germany - we have friends there and travel through Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Transnistria, Crimea and then catch the ferry to Georgia - from there we plan to go see Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia - then go through Turkey along the Black Sea back to Greece and sell the bikes there (apologies if this is a bit like a Geography lesson but it's integral to my point). As I understand it - Armenia has closed it borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey, which means that to go from Azerbaijan to Armenia I have to go through Iran (or backtrack for ages to Georgia and again to get to Turkey which I'd rather avoid). You absolutely have to have a CDP for Iran BUT I've read that it's impossible now to get one in Germany if you are not a resident. Does anyone have any experience or advice on how to get around this or am I kidding myself?

Much obliged!

Caucasus Confusion
 

Hey Kujo
Sounds like a great trip. As far as I know and have experienced, the carnet is a MUST for Iran- but I'd be delighted if someone said they had got through without one. Added to that is the fact that you will need visas for Iran which can be tricky and expensive to get depending on which passport you are using to get them - I've known people be refused the visa.
And although it seems a long way round, actually Armenia is quite a small country and there is a circular route through that you can take looping down and then out again into Georgia. As you want to go back along the Black sea coast then it shouldn't be too bad taking the route back out through Georgia. However, most of the border crossings in that part of the world are a bit volatile and plenty of foreigners on bikes have been turned back at border crossings which seem OK on their maps but in reality are a no-go:nono:.

I know that Turkey and Armenia have started to relax towards each other- and I had heard from friends that there was talk of the borders being re-opened between them, but that might be in the future - maybe ask the Istanbul bike club people here on the HUBB if they can advise on that.

Yes, it's a pain you can't enter Amenia via Azerbaijan, and beware that going into Azerbaijan, they will only give you 3-5 days for your bike in their country. It's a weird custom rule, so be prepared.

I've heard that the German organisation that gives out carnets has tightened up its procedures and foreigners can't get one anymore, however that might just be jungle drums beating and I don't know anyone who has experienced it.

Good luck with your journey and ride safe.

Thanks so much Tiffany.

It's so hard to find good information on the Caucasus which is really difficult. Is there a way to leave your bike in Azerbaijan - somewhere secure and pick it up again when you return to the border?

Also do you know if it's a possibility to get a CDP for another country if you are not a resident there and if your bike is not registered there?

I do know that 2 years ago I could not get a Carnet for my landcruiser from the ADAC in Germany, as the car was uk registered.

I had to use the RAC which was much more expensive for Egypt (800%), mid you I did use it 3 times for egypt in the year that it was valid!

I have now joined the ADAC, as the salesman said that I should get a carnet through them then..........mind you I dont really hold out much hope, and it will be back to the RAC again I suppose!

Andy

Maybe you'll have to speak with ADAC yourself to find out for sure, but if you can give them a German address and have a German registered bike (in your name) then I would think it's possible. Where else would you get a carnet for a German registered bike?

From my experience living in Australia with an Australian registered vehicle but on a UK passport getting the carnet in Aus was no problem. They never mentioned my nationality and even put a UK address as my permanent address on the carnet.

Thankyou everyone. I'll contact my cousin in Berlin. Incidently I was able to contact one Hossein Ravanyar (he says he can organize a Carnet de Passage in Iran) Iran Overland :: Explore Iran Overland - Hossein Ravanyar - Tabriz and he wrote back which I believe many people have tried and failed - looks like he's back in action!

I will repost this on the relevant forum too.

Is there any way to stash your bike somewhere in Azerbaijan to around the 3-5 days issue!?

Transnistria
 

Border crossing into and out of Transnistria was a pain in the butt when I did it back in 2009. Make sure you have all your paperwork with you after you enter the territory because if you do not have everything when you try to leave they will hold you at the border and try to get $$$ out of you.

I guess it my my fault but the communication barrier made things difficult and when the guy stamping us into Transnistria said we were done and did not give us paperwork we thought it was OK. Maybe it was a little con, who knows. Just take time when it comes to the entry and exit paperwork as you travel.

-Michael

Sorry...
 

Sorry, almost forgot Carnet or not to Carnet

I am an American and I was traveling on an American motorcycle. The only countries I needed the carnet for were Japan (although I found out there is a Form {Customs Form C5014} that you can use instead of the Carnet for Japan), Australia, and New Zealand. Every other country I visited did NOT require a Carnet.

Country list {* = required Carnet}:

England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Luxembourg, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Andorra, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, Gibraltar, Transnistria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Korea, Japan*, Australia*, New Zealand*

Hey mikesworldtour,

I understand that things have chilled out a bit in Transnistria regarding going back and forth from there and Ukraine or Moldova - Transnistria travel guide - Wikitravel (not sure how reliable it is though). What is news for me is that we need a carnet for Transnistria! Are you sure? I thought that nowhere in Europe required one now?

K

Iran
 

Hiya,

Like you, I'm an Aussie. I bought a bike in England and travelled a similar route to yours only 4 weeks ago. Here's my experience:

- Georgia and Armenia are fantastic countries. Armenia is surprisingly modern, particularly Jerevan.
- The road borders between Turkey and Armenia are currently closed. I tried a few of the mapped crossing points and all were militarised.
- You will NOT get into Iran without a CDP. I tried all 3 border crossings between Turkey and Iran. ADAC could not help unless I had a German address and German registered bike - so you might be in luck.
- I had alot of communication with Hossein. His friend was due to meet me at the Bazargan border crossing and facilitate entry into Iran - I drove from Van particularly to meet the guy on two separate occasions. He didn't show. I phoned Hossein and the situation changed from 'No problem ... entry to Iran sorted for US$500' to 'We have a problem ... entry to Iran now US$2000'. He explained the difference between a transit and an entry CDP. This is something he hadn't mentioned before i.e. if you plan to enter Iran from Turkey and then return to Turkey it's an entry CDP, but if you enter Iran from Turkey and exit to Azerbaijan, it's a transit CDP. He charges less for transit CDPs than entry CDPs. BUT, the real problem is when you leave Iran without a CDP. When Hossein and/or his contact didn't show for the second occasion I gave up.
- The Serou crossing between Turkey and Iran was the most promising without a CDP. Immigration let me in using only proof of ownership docs (V5 in my case) and I technically entered Iran. Just as I was driving off, an officious young Customs officer demanded my CDP. I tried to bluff my way through, but there was no way. This also presented a problem because I had been stamped into Iran and technically I'd used my single entry visa! Then I had to go through re-entry procedures for Turkey.

I'm in Brissie - drop me a PM if you want to chat. jeiger

Will do!

Sorry for the confusion...
 

Sorry - I was just comenting on the difficulty of getting in and out of Transnistria (because it was on the list of locations to be traveled through) - They did NOT need a carnet.

Please read my 2nd post, Title: "Sorry..."

That lists the countries that I traveled in and during my travels only three (3) needed a carnet for a USA registered motorcycle - Japan*, Australia*, New Zealand*

Sorry for the confusion and ride safe.

-Michael

Any updates on the situation for passing through Iran? Is it best to get a visa in Pakistan or India?