Have Carnet - Do i need TIP's

[pjmancktelow]

Hi


So I'm off to Africa, I have a Carnet but believe not all countries require one. Where they don't, and have their own form of temporary import permit, can I use the carnet in lieu of that?


I'm heading down the west coast of Africa, hopefully al the way (not expecting to make it though), but ideally at least as far as the Republic of Congo.


Cheers


Paul

[Robbert]

you'll figure out at the border. sometimes the carnet is convenient, but if you don't need it you can just as well not use it.

Entering in Congo-Brazaville, many years ago, I insisted on using the carnet because I didn't want to pay I don't recall what other temporary import fee. In the end the officer agreed and stamped my carnet. Next day I got fined by another officer for not having the temporary import paper. He didn't know the carnet and was not interested in whatever other paper I had... .

As you'll figure, in the end there will be a solution to everything. Don't worry too much. It'll be fine.

[Grecy]

Some countries refuse to take the carnet (Mauritania) and you'll have to pay for a TIP.

Most countries have no idea what it is, and you'll have to basically do it for them and convince them it's the right thing. Friends were just forced to get a TIP in Mali, but I think it depends heavily on which border you use and who happens to be working.

What makes you think you won't make it all the way?
What's your timeline?

I'm moving down the West Coast now, pretty slow, looking to be in SA around May/June ish

-Dan

[simon dippenhall]

Hope the OP's trip is going OK/went well!

I have a related question:

2 of us are motorcycling London- Gambia in October.
We both have 10+ year old bikes which I have heard can be a potential issue.

Are we better off with carnets or with TIPs? (e both have recently expired carnets that we could renew so the initial deposit is not the concern, more the ease of crossing borders vs the risk of losing the carnet deposit when we might have not if we only had a TIP.

Views and experience welcomed - I will post this elsewhere for visibility.

Thanks
Simon