Does anyone know if you need a Carnet for Laos and Thailand?
I was under the impression that we didn't (I thought we had asked the RAC but maybe I dreamt that) but I just looked on Wikitravel and it says you do!
Any up to date info would be great

I took this from the main HU page and its looking like you don't need one. You may however need one in Malaysia

Asia and Middle East

Bahrain, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kuwait, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka

Malaysia: while officially required, it is no problem to enter or leave via land borders on the peninsula. Local bikers think that a problem would arise attempting to ship the bike out.

A letter from the Automobile Association of Malaysia

"...Please be informed that AAM provide the service in issuing of the Carnet the Passage (CDP) for Thai registered vehicles. Documents required are as belows;

Application form for CDP (attached)
Original and photocopy of vehicle Registration Card and current Insurance Policy.
Depending on the purpose of application, vehicle inspection may be carried out to certify the vehicle details are in accordance with the registration card.
Bank guarantee equivalent to the market price of the vehicle. v RM 1,000.00 per vehicle is charge (for non-AAM Member)


Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Thanks. Its confusing and a bit irritating that on the wikioverland travel it says you do, I suppose things do change although that entry was from 2013. I'm just going to have a look and see when the main HU was updated.
Doesn't say I've emailed the RAC maybe they can give a definitive answer

I am in Thailand and have driven through Laos, Thailand & Malaysia. I have a UK registered vehicle and have a carnet and did not use it for Laos or Thailand. It was needed for Cambodia & Malaysia.

Trevor

Thanks Trevor that is great news that saves a whole lot of hassle not to mention expense!
Many thanks again
Suzanne

Hi guys

I am fairly new to this...and am facing some hurdles by not thinking prior acting...
So my visa finished bit earlier then expected in Australia with as result I did not get the chance of registering my vehicle in Auz.... ...
and with that I could not get a carnet ...... before I was forced to leave... .. I shipped it anyway ... as I didn't know when I could come back to Auz...

soo.....wait ... for it.... the fun bit....

The car is now in stuck Jakarta, with no Carnet.... ...
In the meantime I have managed to get the vehicle registered on my name....

So my question to you =... ...
Can I get a Carnet in Malaysia with Auz. registered car???


the other thing-o:
I have left Indo now and am back in Holland because of some unforeseen circumstances...
So I found a workshop... in Central Java who is willing to stall the vehicle until I get there... and do some work on it.... some welding and some spray-work

All I have to do is get the my vehicle from Indonesian customs and tow it to this workshop....

peace a cake,, right??

I have been mailing with some logistic organization regarding this... but they response with that I need documents.. not telling me what kind of document.. ... actually it seems that no one in ( including the government organizations ) knows anything about where to get the "mysterious documents"... or knows the name of it...
This is btw not the ATA Carnet or "Passage the Carnet"... I do know
that my life might get easier as soon as I have got the passage the Carnet... something I need anyway... but where to get it ??


thanks in advance
regards Shaq

Hello Shaq - and welcome to the forum.

It occurs to me that Indonesian customs are currently holding your vehicle in a secure bonded warehouse or storage area. There may be a time limit on how long they are prepared to allow the vehicle to stay there. Expensive storage charges could be applied .. and these may (or may not) have already started to accrue.

Indo customs will probably not permit the vehicle to leave their secure storage facility without the approved paperwork in place, such as:

(a) a valid 'stamped in' CPD carnet, or
(b) formal import documents (with payment of the required duty.)

They should not allow the logistics company to transport your vehicle to the workshop in central Java; nor will they allow you to store it at the workshop until either (a) or (b) above are in place, unless the workshop has bonded storage facilities, which is very unlikely.

If your car is now registered in Australia, then I would apply for a CPD carnet straightaway by contacting The Australian Automobile Association (AAA); or better still, get in touch with the aussie motoring club in the state or territory in which your car is now registered. For instance: RACV in Victoria - RACQ in Queensland .. etc.

Here's the web-page that explains everything: Taking your car overseas - Australian Automobile Association

Do it SOON Shaq to avoid any further unnecessary charges .. and hassle!

best

Keith

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Right Way Round ...

So after emailing the RAC asking if we need a Carnet for Laos and Thailand this was the response: Astounded!!

Good morning,

We would recommend taking a Carnet to those countries. Attached is an application form, we would then provide a non-obligational quote once the details are received from you.

Thanks,

Me Hi
Thanks for getting back in touch. Although you recommend is the carnet actually required?
Also how long does it take to process the carnet?
Many thanks

Hi,

It would be best to check with those country customs before travelling there. Would you be driving through any other countries before Thailand or Laos?

Thanks,

Me - Yes we are driving from the uk through Europe the stans and China. It was my understanding that a carnet wasn't needed until Malaysia but maybe it would be best to check with the embassies. Disappointing that as you issue it you can't give a definitive answer
BW
Suzanne

RAC
We usually issue Carnet documents for whole trips with Thailand or Laos part of it. These countries are not on the back of the document, but as country customs rules change often they would be able to give a definitive answer.

REALLY!!! Surely if they are the only people who we can get the Carnet from in the UK they should at the very least know which countries need them!!!
Am I being unkind in thinking they just want my money!

Suzanne - I rode my NZ-registered bike around that region back in 2012-13.

• No carnet requirement for Thailand and Laos.

• You should have a carnet for Cambodia. I didn't have one at the time I was in Cambo .. but I got away with it. That's another story!

• If you ship into Malaysia by sea or air then you must have a carnet. Entering through a land border - e.g. from Thailand - then Malaysian Customs are far more relaxed and you'll probably get across without one, largely due to the shear volume of traffic flowing through the land border(s) - although it's better to have a carnet than not, just in case you get pulled over by an ardent Malay customs official.

• Indonesia: a carnet is mandatory - a must have document.

best

Keith

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Right Way Round ...

Thanks Keith, we are hoping to ship out of Bangkok, so therefore avoiding the Carnet. We will probably do Cambodia etc when the car is being shipped.
I was rather irritated by the RAC's approach though you would think they would know where you do and don't need one! With the info we have from you and others we aren't going to get one unless of course anyone thinks shipping out of Bangkok not a good option?

I have entered Thailand 3 times (different borders), Laos 2 times (different borders) and Cambodia 1 time with a norwegian registred motorbike during the last 6 months. A carnet has never been an issue or asked for. Although I have heared that border guards or custom officers have asked for it at certain Cambodian enter points.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Thanks again - defo not going to spend loads of money on the carnet!