Hi,

If this was previously discussed, just point me to the right post please:

When one gets a carnet, it represents coverage for a bike of certain value, in most cases that could be the purchase value or some agreed lowered one.

The import in most countries (in my case, Hungary) is based on the new price of the bike, unless it was sold inbetween, in which case whatever it is on the invoice.

So, what happens if (for example) I get a carnet for a new bike of value $10.000 and arrive to the final destination where it needs to be imported. A year later the bike's real value might have dropped to around $2000 by then, so it would be great of the 30something percent of import tax+GST would be calculated based on that.

Any idea how to solve this problem? I tried to email the Customs people but they don't seem to responsive after a few days.

Thanks!

I had the same concern, going through the process here in South Africa. The customs/revenue service said that it is basically 'tough luck'. They have to use the value on the carnet if you enter the country on the carnet. it will(might) be a different scenario if you don't enter Hungary worth the carnet. I think the requirements without the carnet is/was to have 3 valuations if you don't have the carnet. That was also assuming that the vehicle is coming directly from Oz for example and there is no time delay(travelling)...

Will you not be able to import it as returning resident?

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I've just managed to get in contact with the customs in Hungary and looks like apart from some registration tax once imported, I could be exempt from paying a large amount of import tax and VAT. Thanks for the suggestion, it was a great idea!