Carnet de Passage for Gambia and Ghana
 

Does anybody know if I can get into these two countries without a Carnet de Passage?

I know you're supposed to have them, but African border police and all that. Any experience???

I have been through both countries within the last 5 months. Neither one required or asked for a carnet du passage. All you need to do is get a "temporary import permit" for the customs office at the border. I remember Ghana being around it was around $20usd. Gambia it was $4usd.

This was on a small 2001 motorcycle, but I believe it is true for all vehicles.

I entered Gambia in November 2014 without a Carnet. No problems at the border bringing my BMW 650x into the country.

Hi,

I'm currently travelling in West Africa on an Africa Twin (750 cc) without a carnet. I was in Ghana a week ago and will return again tomorrow (from Ivory Coast). So far, my experience is that you are not at all supposed to have a carnet when entering countries in West Africa. Most countries will issue a Temporary Import Permit (Pasavant, Laissez Passer) when you arrive at the border without fuzz.

The one exception so far is Ghana where a carnet would have served me well but it was not impossible to enter without one, only very time consuming and a bit expensive but then I entered at a small border crossing. I would advice to enter the country at one of the main border crossings. That may make your life easier than mine.

See #4 in the link below for my experience entering Gambia and #10 for Ghana.

www.voodoochile.se/.../Beyond Borders

Note that small motorcycles (up to about 200 cc), like the ones the locals are using, may be exempt from a lot of the bureaucracy that big bikes have to put up with.

Thanks. Good to know it can be done, even if it could be hassle. All I need now is my bike. I reckon I'd have got it fixed up quicker in Africa than here in Spain:(