Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Leaving a vehicle in Morocco Leaving a vehicle in Morocco
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Nov 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Red face Leaving a vehicle in Morocco
Hi

Just wanted to find out if it was possible to drive to Morocco from the UK and leave the vehicle there?

I have been across the border by motorcycle and had a vehicle stamp added to my passport - and cleared on the way out I presume. It was a while back so I am not too sure on the details.

Can you tell me the implications of leaving the country by air (returning to the UK) without the vehicle you arrived with.

The plan is a final drive for my Dad's (RIP) Merc 200E - currently starting to limp at 220k miles. He drove down there a few times and I thought it would be a nice final drive for it (I have 3 bikes which take up all my time and it doesn't get the care it needs to keep it running).

Car is probably worth about £600 so I could even contemplate the import duty if it wasn't too extortinate. I know a couple of people in Kasr el Kabir who I am sure would love it ... or I can just give the keys to a passing farmer.

Please get back to me with major ridicule and general hilarity ...

Cheers.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 9 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 62
hi,

no way selling a car in morocco.
they will arrest you at the airport if you just leave the car.

also, forget about paying import tax.
will cost you something about 8000,- - 9000,- euro !!!
calculation you can even do online :

Menu MCV

todo
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 9 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
I've sometimes wondered what happens, in terms of paperwork, when a vehicle is "totalled" - completely written off - somewhere out in the desert say. Examples are those pics shown now and again of some vehicle bodywork that is pristine after years of lying about in the very dry Sahara.

So, the scenario is drive to somewhere as per the original question, give the vehicle away to someone, report it as a total write off (to who?) and fly home.
What issues are there with this?
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 62
hi dave,

talking about morocco:
if you totally wreck your car and have no report from
police/ customs, you can not leave the country without paying import tax.

if you report it, they want to see it, you probably even have to transport it
to the nearest customs parking.

all this happens because of the extremly high import tax f. second hand vehicles.

pics you are talking about mainly happen to be done in mauritania
or at the no mans land.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Nov 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 9
oh ;o)

so I have to go to Mauritania then?

Thanks for the info chaps .. all the best, Lee.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 9 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 62
hi lee,

<so I have to go to Mauritania then?>

yes,
but talking about a probably right hand driven, petrol engine car...
and the petrol price at the moment...
you will loose money for sure.

todo
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 9 Nov 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Hi Todo

I am not looking to make money - I really was serious about giving the vehicle away when I got there.

Yep. It is a RHD and 2.0 petrol ... 124 Series ('89 200E) 220k miles on the clock, owned from new, one exhaust, one clutch, one clutch master cylinder ... they don't make 'em like that any more )

Just to clarify - if I go through Morocco I can get the vehicle cleared on the other side and there is nothing to stop me leaving it in Mauritania (I.e. no import duty or vehicle customs, etc).

Thanks again for the info.

All the best, Lee.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 62
hi lee,

<Just to clarify - if I go through Morocco I can get the vehicle cleared on the other side <and there is nothing to stop me leaving it in Mauritania (I.e. no import duty or vehicle <customs, etc).>

if you enter mauritania of course there is import tax and paperwork involved.
only that the import tax is much less than in morocco.
and if you do not know how to clear your passport you may even end up
with trouble.

only chance, after you cleared your vehicle at the moroccan side, you continue to the no mans land, a about 4 km long strip before you enter mauritania.
there are a lot of shady characters running around, they will approach you and offer you a ridiculous price.
as it sounds that you never have been there before, please inform yourself about the mine situation. parts of no mans land are heavily mined !!
if you do a search at `sahara `and `sub - sahara` board, you will find a lot about the minefield.

todo
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London
Posts: 24
hey,
i'm in morocco right now on my bike and i'm pretty sure there's no vehicle stamp on my passport. So maybe it's just luck if you get one or not? or maybe the system is computerised now
it seems a long way to travel to risk it though!
all the best,
nick
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 62
hi nick,

i bet you got an entry for your bike at your passport.

it´s no stamp, it´s only a combination of handwritten digits and letters,
usually not ! at the same page as your entry stamp.

since the system is computerised since many years, as you exit morocco they only enter this at the computer system, and all your vehicle dates, even from former trips,
will show up.

todo
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12 Nov 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: London
Posts: 24
todo, you're right - it is there, hidden amongst some other stamps on a completely different page to my moroccan entry stamp. very strange!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 13 Nov 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Great - my two favourite things - customs and landmines.

Thanks for all the information Todo ... have a good trip Nick ... You down there on a ZX6? Cool!!! Fit some knobblies for that Mission Impossible look ;-)

All the best, Lee.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 1 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 25
My bike is currently left in Maroc untill i go back in Jan to collect it with a trailer ( Its a very long story! ) Whilst i spent 2 hours in the customs office filling in forms and surrendering my keys, V5, insurance when it came to the national and international flights there was no question about my vehicle - i did not have to show the letter from the customs office to leave.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 5 Nov 2016
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1
Compulsory to leave van at the airport?
Hi all, I am flying home for a week and would like to leave my van in custody of a friend rather than take it to the airport and pay parking fees etc.

Dos anyone know if this is possible? Has anyone done this before?

--
Josh
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
leaving a vehicle in Maroc Richard K Trip Paperwork 2 13 Aug 2005 20:27
Buying and leaving a vehicle in Algeria Mark2006 North Africa 1 26 Nov 2004 14:38
Foreign vehicle entering Singapore take note!! meng Trip Paperwork 3 9 Aug 2004 02:07
traveling to Australia by own bike from other country. Ryan Kim Australia / New Zealand 4 15 Oct 2002 12:06
Leaving a vehicle in Tunis Richard Washington North Africa 0 11 May 2001 13:48

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:18.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top