North Americans & Carnet's
 

To any North Americans out there, how did you pay for your Carnets to various parts of the world? Seeing how the CAA only issues a handful per year, it is really un-necessary and unrealistic for them to subsidize them, unlike the RAC/ADAC in Europe, where thousands are issued a year. Anyways, it seems the only way to do it here would be a bank loan (hoping you have some credit left) or paying cash. I wonder if there are any other ways of outlaying wads of cash for a Carnet, without having to loose such a huge chunk of money initially. Grant and Susan, you're on a BMW GS100, which I assume has got to be valued around $10000 -- that would make your Carnet very expensive...Any pointers? (It seems my bank loan may not be a bank loan after all. If only I paid that bill!)

Thanks,

DON.

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Travel Africa Overland...
www.scenicplanet.com offers route planning information, GPS points, shipping contacts and a "lovely array of travelogues". Well, one right now, but lots of photos!

Hi Don,
We're actually on a 1986 R80G/s, currently valued at about CDN$3000. Going down every year, and that's the way we like it <g>

When we first started the bike was valued at a whole lot more of course, and the carnet was indeed very expensive to set up.

To clarify how it works, the CAA requires a guarantee, for instance if you have an investment you give them the Power of Attorney over it. This means that they can take it if need be. It does not require any large payment, the fees are only around CDN$125 if I remember right.

When you return and clear the carnet the power of attorney is cleared and you have control of your investment back. This is the method we use. It's nice to have a few dolllars sitting around for when you return.

In Europe the method is more like insurance - you give ADAC or in the UK the AA US$400-500 as an "insurance" fee. You don't get it back.

Also don't forget that the carnet can vary considerably depending on your proposed route and the countries you will traverse. India is 300% of the value of the bike, and many other countries are only 10%.

Also Central and South America do NOT require a carnet at all, despite what the CAA says.

Remember that the carnet is renewed annually, so if you're doing South America then Asia, don't get the carnet until the last minute. DO organise everything in advance, contact CAA or whoever and make sure you're all set.

If you can't come up with the investment as backing, you may want to contact ADAC or the AA here in the UK and see what you can arrange. Then it's only a few hundred dollars.

See the FAQ page for a little more info.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hi Grant,

When you say "investment" do you mean a cash investment, or something else which could be valued at that price? I have done some investigating with Suzanne Danis, and my carnet will cost $3000 on a $2000 bike. (All Cad $). 110% is the higheST I have come across (Mauritania). So, back to investment - could it be stocks, mutual funds, RSP's, etc.,? Or is it a cash balance?

In regards to the RAC, I have phoned them and inquired about Carnet's from them, Since I have no ties to the UK whatsoever, (except for the fact that Queen is the head of MY country and her face is on my money - no ties to the UK at all, no sir!) Anyways, without being a Resident, I cannot be insured or am entitled to the same perks as Brits. I assume, however, that if you have a residency permit, etc., it could be possible. I have not enquired about a UK registered bike owned by a foreigner. NExt step is to call the ADAC and others, but I assume that not being a resident of their country, then the same rules that the RAC set out will be common. We need to have more canadians travel by vehicle (and not to Florida)so costs of the Carnet can be subsidied by the CAA!

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Travel Africa Overland...
www.scenicplanet.com offers route planning information, GPS points, shipping contacts and a "lovely array of travelogues". Well, one right now, but lots of photos!

Hi,

We just did a term deposit. I'd have a good conversation with Suzanne Danis, she is VERY helpful and I'm sure will help you worl out whatever is needed - assuming you have something worth CDN$3000.

ADAC does carnets for other countries besides Germany, so you might be able to work something out.

Re more Canadians travelling by vehicle - not likely, North Americans generally are not highly represented in the mc travelling community. The Germans outnumber us about 100-1.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

When I was living in Jordan and riding to Europe I got a carnet on my USA registered R11GS from the royal auto club in Amman. They put a hold on some money in a local bank. The amount was not close to the value of the GS. So there might be other options out there for US riders.

Regarding the infamous Carnet de Passages, I think it represents another archaic regulation designed to inconvenience the world traveler. It runs counter to our sense of global village, and affects only those who haven't connections or wads of cash.
I have begun a ONE MAN BOYCOTT of countries that require a CPD. I have let those countries know that the requirement is nonsense, and that all it accomplishes is restrict tourism and good will among people.
There are enough countries around the world that welcome travellers. We need not waste time and money on those which do not. And be sure to LET THEM know why you are not going there.
Now. Got that off my chest.
Frank

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