only present carnet if asked?

[liam_taborn]

just a quick question... is it best to only present carnet if asked or is it best to present at every boarder?
cheers all.

[seanh]

I went with the opposite philosophy -get them to sign it even if they don't know what it is, then if you're asked for it going out of the country, you're ok. However, this did delay me for 5 hours at the Russian border while they phoned around and eventually told me i didn't need it.
Sean

[davidmc]

I found that using the carnet even when it was not needed was often a speedier way of getting into a country. Often the carnet is easier than the country's own burdensome paperwork.

The carnet is thick, has lots of information and is official looking and I think the officials seem to respect it.

Even when certain officials have not understood that I needed to be stamped out of their country, I have had no problem getting them to apply their exit stamps.

The carnet has made crossing borders very easy for us in Asia.

[Robbert]

Yep, don't forget you want to take your vehicle out of the country as well, and you don't want to be stopped at e roadblock with an illegally imported vehicle eather.

[mika]

liam,

yes, show your carnet only if they ask for it, or if they ask for money to be paid.

let them fill out their temporary import forms. If the money they ask for this form is too high for you, than explain that that the embassy told you it would be for free and that you normaly use the carnet.

Getting the carnet stamped in a country where it is not valid or unknown e.g. in Russia, can lead to some trouble getting the bike out.

if they give you a temporary import paper, allways check for how long it is valid, or tell them before they fill it out for how long you need it.

maybe the carnet is a faster way of getting thru, but you are in trouble again if the bike gets stolen and you will have to deal with your AA.

enjoy the papergame

mika