Update for Cote d'Ivoire & CARNET situation.

I went over the border at POGO, coming in from Mali with a van WITHOUT a carnet. I was asked for 32,000CFA, in return I asked them for an official receipt, they refused & told me I was spending the night on the border if I didn't cough up!

As I'm based part-time in CI, I have 2 numbers there & already had a friend send me some phone credit. I pulled out my phone, called our Chief of Police and asked him what the law states, he asked to speak to the Head of Customs and suddenly a 2 month 'Vignette Touristique' was issued!!!

Once I got back to base I made enquiries, I ended up calling the Anti-Corruption Team in Cocody, Abidjan and explained what had happened. They were very good (called me back when I ran out of credit) and said I was correct, the Vignette Touristique is FREE.

I then mailed some other HUBB'ers on their way to me & explained to them that it's FREE, they were asked for 25,000 on the Guinean border which they refused and explained why - they also had the Anti Corruption Team's number which I'd sent them.

Since then I've spoken to our local Colonel, Regional Director of Customs who rang one of his borders to see what they do, they charge 25,000CFA! He was surprised and annoyed! I had to get another 2 months for my van & with his help I got it done at our nearest border, but they wanted 50,000 until they realised I was good friends with the Colonel.

So don't take any rubbish from ANY border and threaten to call (or do call/text) this number for the ANTI-CORRUPTION TEAM in Cocody, Abidjan: It's a MOOV number (they also have MTN & Orange numbers which I lost as I use MOOV mainly) +225 01 01 36 45 (keep the first 0 in the number!)

Bonne route!

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