Just heard this from Libya --> Genoa. Go via Marseille or get yourself an undertank!

"Coming back on the ferry at Genoa we finally got off the ship at midnight
(docked at 9.45pm) and were then singled out by the customs - they went
straight for where our jerry cans were stored. Naturally they were full of
120 l of Libyan diesel. We were put in the sin bin area till all the cars
had been unloaded then had to follow the customs guy to their office.
Pigeon English, only told what was going on as we went along, so no idea
what was going to happen. Had our passports with them so we couldn't run
away. Asked for reg document for car, I was driving but Roger was selected
by the Customs man. Photocopied his passport etc, then asked us if we had a
lawyer!!!! - anyway said we could use one from Italy that the Customs would
pay for - faxed stuff to him, then eventually a guy appeared in the office -
not sure if he was the advocate (lawyer?). Eventually Roger had to sign 5
lots of paperwork (each page of 6) which included a statement all in Italian
- god knows what it said - something to do with 'Sequesting the Contraband'.
Hopefully that's the end of it - lost our jerry cans aswell though - worth
more than the diesel they took off us!!"

Also waypoint update for L2 soon - does not dip into Alg by the tree anymore...

And curry powder makes great radweld I am told...

Ch

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Author of Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 5 and Sahara Overland II

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

Go via Marseille ?
I'm not sure it's a good idea :
- Almost same problems with customs : not very frequent , but possible : they ask you if your jerrycans are full and tell you that's forbidden to import GO in France (It happens to me 2 times in Sete and Marseille , but no fine ) .
- in Marseille you're never sure to sail because of strikes .
RR.

Ok thanks, well now we know then (never heard of this before).
Looks like big under tanks are best then - a couple of trips will pay for them...

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

Not terribly relevant to this forum but relevant to this topic, had the same thing happen when I entered germany from Poland. I argued the toss, saying first of all that as Poland was now part of the EU it should be ok, then argued that as my main tank was half empty couldn't I just empty them in to there, all to no avail. Kept for an hour filling out paperwork to pay duty but as yet haven't received a bill, fingers crossed. The rule apparently is that you can carry 1 20L can, but presumably this varies from country to country.

Andy
TLC H60
landrover 101 ambie/camper
1968 morris minor traveller

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1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

hi, i had the same problem in Genua. we came back from tunis the 13 januari. I also had some fuel tanks on my roof with Lybian fuel and the customs took theme in. I had to sign 5 papers in italian. What I could understand was that Italian customs will controle the fuel that it is legal for europian laws.They will send the price to the belgium customs and I should pay for this fuel controle.I also get a letter that I could get the fuel tanks back if I pass Genua again. At that time I was not alone. A german team had the same problem.

Looks like they are onto us then!

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 pre-order for Xmas • Trans Morocco Trail

So who gets the fuel?
Normally goods coming from outside the EU are simply taxed up by customs until it's not worth bringing them in.
Unless it's something the customs officer fancies?
Customs seem to have their own rules... which are unfathomable for most mortals.
Free fuel for a bit of paperwork, seems like a good deal.

Hi all,

I went through the customs in Sete on 25th Jan without any questions asked. Out of the 50 or so 4x4s on board none was stopped and checked either. Maybe they single out only those with jerry cans on the roofrack, or make all the fuss when they decide to work by the rule?


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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

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Roman (UK)

Re Genoa diesel stop - 6 jerry cans deep and low inside the Landcruiser - not visible - was definately being looked for. Took 3 hours to unload the vehicle - we were near the end - so ? a work to rule?