Is there an alternative to the Carnet??
 

Hi!!
I am preparing my trip in 4x4 from Morocco to Ghana, so, I have been reading the information about the carnet de passages and I see that it’s quite expensive…specially if something goes wrong with the vehicle and you have to abandon it….does it mean that you lose the deposit of 2500euros??
I would like to know if someone knows if there is an alternative to this carnet……..for example………is it less expensive to pay it at the border??

Thank you for your help!!
Formiga

Yes, if you got the patience of a saint, you may try your luck at the borders without it, and some countries are more strict about it than others. I would think it´s a slim chance, though. Sorry I dont have info about West Africa in specific.

If your vehicle is stolen, you should immediately make a police report of the incident, and the carnet bond should be returned to you (in theory - luckily I have never had to try, if it works in real life!!)

I wouldnt pay any big deposit at any border, especially in Africa. High risk of not seeing that money again.

Hello Formiga,

If you look in Sub-Saharan Africa you can see a theme 'Carnet Ghana' by Ronnie 79 - if you then go to his blog he did not have a carnet and crossed from Burkina to Ghana two weeks ago and is at present at Axim on coast.

It seems that, although most Francophone countries in WA officially allow a laisser Passer, Ghana, being Anglophone, does not (at least officially). From replies on Ronnie's thread it seems you may be lucky at main crossing at Po, if you slip something to Ghanaian police!

Good Luck!

Peter