Need Carnet for Europe?
 

I'm from the US and will be riding through Europe (incl. Poland, Lithuania, maybe Latvia) and Scandanavia this summer. I've been told I don't "need" a Carnet for these countries. (apparently technically you do "need" it, but you can go with out it). Most of the Carnet posts here are for more exotic locales. Do I need a Carnet for Europe? Will it expedite things at border crossing as I get farther east?

Note: bike is being shipped from US.

Thanks.

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Carnet is NOT needed for most if not all of Europe - there aren't even any border crossings in the EU.

NON-EU countries is a different game. You'll have to ask your carnet issuer - That'll be the CAA for you - Suzanne Danis to be exact - contact info on the linkspage - about specific countries.

A carnet usually DOES expedite border crossings IF the country recognises/uses it.

All of South America is a good example - no carnet required, but it saves time and money at each border. BUT you have to get the carnet, and that costs. Be sure to read the Carnet info page - link on left.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

If you ship to Holland you need a carnet..well they stamped mine! I couldnt get an exit stamp though because there were no borders! So to ride in is OK without but to fly in you need it!

The Baltic states are great!

alec

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

Flying into Europe you won't be asked for a carnet - if you hand them one they may well stamp it, but they are unlikely to ask for it. I haven't been asked.

RE no exit stamp on a carnet - bad - technically you have to return home and get an entry stamp to prove you didn't sell it or the stamping country can claim against the carnet. (The entry stamp at home is proof against potential incompetence and corruption in a country that stamps it in and doesn't stamp it out, or loses the exit proof, and then tries to claim on the carnet.)