Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Morocco
German import plates German import plates
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
German import plates
Tried posting this in Trip Planning but it's not getting very much help, so thought I'd try here:

Looking at taking a vehicle down to Cote d'Ivoire later this year.

However it'll probably be bought in Germany & ideally on the temporary plates. My insurance will cover Europe & Morocco on the plates BUT will the Spanish & Moroccan police be OK with it? Has anyone else seen a vehicle on the 5 day plates going south?

Next question, will we be OK to enter Mauritania & get insurance there on temporary plates?

Anyone had experience?

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 May 2016
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
I've purchased cars from Germany in years gone past and rather than the 5-day temporary plates (Überfuhrungskennzeichen) I would consider getting the one-year export plates (Ausfuhrkennzeichen). If anyone knows the meaning of the yellow flash and the dates, they would know the registration had expired.

You will see German export plates with the red flash at the right of the plate fairly often in Morocco on high-end BMW and Mercedes vehicles driven by Moroccans. I have never seen temporary plates (yellow flash) in Africa.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 May 2016
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,932
If your insurance is legit then I'm sure it will be fine in Spain within the duration of your plates.

We did it many years ago with a German export-plate Merc (below in Mori No Man's Land - regs were slack then).
At this time the car trade through the Western Sahara to Mori included many blatantly stolen vehicles.
i recall there was some rush to get out of Europe, but no hassle once in Morocco.

However, I'm sure Mk and maybe even Mori have tightened the rules since then, and wasn't there something recently on North Africa forum about masses of impounded cars at the Mori border?

I imagine much would depend on the type of crate gris you have: whether the details on it match your name and the car's details, and your general worldliness at dealing with border people.

[Just seen Tim's reply and would take his advice. I notice the car we were in originally had the red side-sticker]
Attached Thumbnails
German import plates-p1130695.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NSW Australia - but never there
Posts: 1,235
Wouldn't insurance policies have a condition that they must be legally registered and comply with all requirements for legal registration?

The Vienna convention requires it too.
__________________
Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,465
Mauri customs would confiscate your vehicle, just like they have done with 1500+ other vehicles without the proper papers over the last year.
Temporary red flash plates is what the car dealers have.
Still they get confiscated if there is anything unclear about ownership or registration.
Much tighter now than before.
Customs compound in Tanger Med only had around 50 vehicles in April.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20 May 2016
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
Red export plates are not just for dealers, they are intended to allow purchasers of cars (private individuals) to export the car they have just bought. Picture shows my Z3 at the top of the Grimsel Pass. As I said above I've seen many cars in Morocco with export plates.

There's a wealth of information elsewhere, just google 'German export plates'
Attached Thumbnails
German import plates-image.jpeg  

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Moossou, Grand Bassam, Cote d'Ivoire
Posts: 285
Thanks for all the answers.

Essentially the vehicle will be registered in Cote d'Ivoire, I've looked at getting the registration done by post with all the documents there & getting plates sent back to me but it's not possible.

We have two problems:

1. We want to buy a vehicle in Germany (cost is cheaper than France) but not re-register it in France due to paperwork, time & cost issues. Hence the question about the 5 day plates, thanks Tim for the suggestion of the red plates, great idea - if it can go all the way south on them!

2. The vehicle is for the NGO, we shouldn't need to pay import taxes on it in CI due to it's use there, however if it's in an individual's name rather than the NGO's name from Germany to CI, we're wondering if we're going to be able to do that. Hoping so!

We don't want to send it by boat, the cost is a minimum of 2,000€ and on a personal level I'd be keen to make the journey again overland!

As for insurance, we have insurance in France that might accept it, otherwise it's going to have to go on an individual's insurance both of which will cover as far as the Mauri border for no extra cost. From there we'll buy insurance!

Thanks for any other ideas!!
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Questions on Argentina/Uruguay Temp Import & Bike Storage in Buenos Aires/Montevideo arooni South America 23 10 Apr 2015 19:44
how do u Panama import? for plates etc . jibbidyjabba Central America and Mexico 2 21 Mar 2015 23:29
German Export plates "Ausfuhrkennzeichen" jimosse Europe 2 25 Oct 2012 21:30
Registering German bike in France with export plates Clayton00 Trip Paperwork 0 24 Jun 2012 11:01
German Zoll plates MountaineerWV Trip Paperwork 12 16 Feb 2012 22:18

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:56.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top