carnet in South africa
 

Has anyone out there got a carnet in South Africa to head North up to Egypt? The reason i ask is i phoned the aasa{South African Auto Association}and was told i had to leave a 500 Rand deposit and i could buy a 25 page carnet for 1689 Rand.This all seemed great.Today i got an email from the aasa saying i had to leave a deposit equal to the value of my Motorbike which went down like a lead balloon.The difference in price here could make or break an adventure trip.Does any one know the truth about this matter.Has someone got a carnet recently in South Africa.Can any one help me out here.I would be grateful.Thanks Ash.

From what I understand all carnets require of a deposit of atleast the value of your bike. Apparently egypt is quite strict about the carnets? So if you bike has a low value then it isnt too bad. I have heard that egyptian carnets require a 200% deposit. Now that is a lead balloon!

If you get any further info I too would appreciate it as am in the process of planning a similar sounding trip from cape town on a SA registered bike and possibly passing through Egypt. But the costs suddenly escalate with the carnet

Egypt is 800% guys

The AASA contact for carnets is Abigail Branders (email amalan(at)aasa.co.za). In my experience she has been very efficient.

In 2004/05 the deposit required for a South Africa issued carnet valid for Egypt was 200%.

There is no problem for a non-resident getting a carnet for a South African registered vehicle

cheers

carnet issues
 

A carnet in general is worth for every country. I have heard that Egyptian officials sometimes do not accept carnets and charge additional fees. A carnet issued by the AA of SA requires a deposit of 100% of the current value of the vehicle if you are not a SA citizen. If you are the deposit is ZAR 500 but not sure if they require further sureties besides the cash deposit. The AA of SA does not accept bank guarantees for the deposit, you have to deposit the money into their account. Returning your money is swift and uncomplicated once you return the carnet and vehicle or prove final import of the vehicle into another country.

Lecap,

Are you sure the AA no longer accepts bank guarantees for the deposit?

I was able to pay for my 200% deposit with a bank guarantee issued by First National in Dec. 2004. In fact the AA actually recommended the contact within First National, so I am suprised they have changed this - if you have any news on this can you please do a follow up post.

As to Egypt, whilst the bureacracy is a real pain in the butt, the customs officals at the border crossings are all typically familiar with carnets, so I would be suprised if they rejected a carnet, unless it was not endorsed for Egypt.

cheers

bank guarantee for carnet
 

This was meant to read the AA does not accept bank guarantees of overseas banks. How did you (Matt) get a bank guarantee from FNB as I take it you're not resident in SA?

Maybe the best to check with Thomas / MotoZulu as he's constantly in import of vehicles into SA and has recent information.

Lecap,

That is right - The AA would only accept a guarantee from a SA bank. As a non SA resident, I found the only way to get around this was to get my Australian bank to provide a cross guarantee to First National. A painful experience, but do-able if you have the time / patience.

thanks
 

Thanks guys.

All very valuable information. took a while to get back to the site as have been madly organising the trip. Stoping over in malaysia and on the plane to Cape Town tomorrow! Wicked, can't wait. I will use the contact that you have provided Matt thanks a lot for that.

Nic

FNB Carnet Contact Details
 

I followed up on some of the info in this post and can clarify a bit further.

Their is a gentleman in the garauntees department called Wayn Davids, he can be contacted on (011) 371 6800, and knows about locals and foreigners (with foreign bank accounts) getting Carnets.

Good Luck!

Ian
Love To Africa - Home

carnet
 

I've got 5 carnets from AA in SA. As a non resident I put a 100% deposit on the value of the vehicle with a bank in favor of AA. Interest bearing btw. Once the carnet is returned as required by AA, I have always received my deposit back quickly. Each time it was released at a branch in another city where I was at the time. It is the only thing in SA that is easy, quick and professionally done in SA. Kudos for AA and the girls in Kyalami. I think a few have been there at least 10 years, so know they know what they are doing.

I have been told that an SA registered vehicle does not need a carnet for:

Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana or Namibia.

Anyone able to confirm or deny?

Thanks, Sam.

I know this is an old thread now but just to add my recent experience:

I got my carnet from the AA in earlier this year and needed to put down 200% as I was going through Egypt.

Sam Rutherford, a carnet is not mandatory for those countries but having one does make the border crossings much much simpler and faster. The alternative (temporary import permits at each) can also become an extra bribe factor.

No carnets needed for SA registered vehicles in SADAC countires.

These definitly include South Africa, Leshotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia.

I'm not 100% sure about Tanzania, but I'm pretty sure you don't.

Egypt 200%
 

This depends on where your bike/vehicle is registered and who issues your carnet. For an Australian registered car and Oz issued carnet, Egypt is 200%.

Cheers