Hi all, Any one know what we should expect? Our carnet expired a month or so ago. Just too much to see in Peru!! We want to leave at the Copacabana border crossing into Bolivia. We were just going to go for it and hope no one noticed. But we have just heard that they are actively checking the expiry dates!!! We emailed Paul Gowan at the RAC. He didnt seem to think it would be a problem. A bit nervous about getting hit with some massive fine. Any one any experience????

Thanks J&R

www.eastofthesun.co.uk

Never heard of this happneing before - most people are too paranoid to get into this position!

I think if you were trying to get in you'd be stuffed, but exiting - what difference does it make to them? You're gone, and that's all that matters.

Let us know what happens!

And you don't need the carnet for the rest of south America - Peru doesn't require it either, but all of South America does accept it. It's slightly cheaper to enter a country in SA if you do use it, and quicker.

Note to anyone reading the above - it is NOT worth getting acarnet only for SA in order tosave a few dollars/pounds on border fees. The difference is small, sometimes nil.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Ok tried to leave today, no luck bike impounded. We are now back in Puno preparing to throw ourselves on the mercy of the Aduana tomorrow.

Wish us luck............

I am hoping to start a trip North through South and Central America through US and into Canada this Dec. The bike I`m hoping to buy is was originally bought new in Canada.

I have recently been told that none of the countries I will go through will require a Carnet. Grant, you seem to echo this in reference to Peru.

The above experience in Peru confuses me. If you don`t require this document for travel in this country, why the impound? Is it true that I won`t need it throughout the rest of North, Central and South America?

J and R, good luck!

Hi guys,

It's weird that they are being so anal about it, I dont remember any problems when I went through without a Carnet.

When you go back, make sure you have both not washed for a number of days, dont shave etc, ensure that flies are buzzing around your head. Perist and make a bloody nuisance of yourselves as it could just be that they want a little present in exchange for the bike? Dunno, worth a go maybe?

Good luck & let us know how you get on. I'm sure itll be sorted v soon.

My crap 2p worth,
Brian xx

------------------
http://colesyboy.tripod.com

__________________
http://www.trailsunexpected.com

You do not need a carnet for anywhere in South and Central America and it doesn't offer any benefit or reduced cost. South American borders (Venezuela's three dollar charge excepted) are free. You might get whacked at one or two of the Central American borders, but having a carnet won't help then either, because the guards are corrupt pricks who'll shake you down anyway. One thing when crossing borders is to do the minimum possible. For example, lots of places officially require insurance, but don't bring this up and - as long as the border guard doesn't - there is no problem in not having it. But if you do wave your home insurance card then they remember, maybe check the date, wonder if it's valid in their country, think about bribe potential etc. Keep it simple, look presentable, smile constantly at your new friends and you'll be fine.

Good luck,
James

__________________
James Courtier

Maybe J&R had a carnet because they are doing a RTW. What are people do when they take multiple year long RTWs.

------------------
Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/

__________________
Prevously known as JSherm
My blog: http://www.motorcycleramblings.com/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/sherman/ I will up date this soon, really Grant, I will....
"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." J Kerouac
"Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him" OW Kenobi

Jsherm -
Carnet - Renewing a carnet is easy, it's part of the service fee they charge you. You just send the old one back and they courier a new one out. I've renewed a carnet several times, no problem.

gshahram - the problem is they did use it - so as usual it MUST be correct re numbers dates etc. ALL paperwork MUST be correct at all times when you cross a border - they ARE LOOKING for problems to catch you with.

J&R -
I wouldn't have used the carnet if it was in danger of expiry. You might be able to work with them on the basis that they don't require it, but it does sound like a bribe attempt. Note above comments.

Work with them, smile a lot, and talk to the jefe. Ask - "what do we need to do to solve the problem?"

EVERYTHING is solveable - it just comes down to how much.

I suspect he'll come up with something outrageous - it's up to you to plead poverty etc etc and get it down to something reasonable, espoecially considering you didn't really need to use the carnet, so it's just paperwork.

Good luck, don't rush, take your time (HIS time IS worth something to him - if nothing else, getting a bribe out of someone else) and make an adventure and a story out of it!

colesyboys' method has plenty of merit, although personally I'd be pleasant but persistent and annoying. (They're used to 'smelly' travellers, not sure there's any benefit to that aspect. - your experience may vary... )

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 05 October 2004).]

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Here,s my two cents,

On the question what RTW-travelers use...
Usually you won,t go around the world in one year... So you have a carnet for the parts where you need it.... and if you planed smart... it will be expired when you don,t need it anymore.

About it being cheaper in SA with a carnet, this is not correct.
There is not one border where you have to pay a cent for entry without a carnet.
Even in Venezuela you oficially do NOT need to pay for the permit since you do not need the tax-seal.
Also the exit-tax in Venezuela does not exist anymore.
(this info does not include the guyana,s).

Even the before dificult border into Equador (tumbes) does now let people enter without carnet (thanks to Ricardo Roco,s work)

Hope this helps
Maarten

------------------
- www.maartensworld.com -
- Some photo's -

__________________
maartensworld.com
beyond-anywhere.com

I'm in Peru at the moment, Columbia, Ecuador and here and no carnet and no fees, in all honesty it was mentioned when i entered Peru, i responded by saying i had all the paperwork necessary, it wasn' mentioned again ?!
mareestu

We are out!!!! Only 4 weeks and 1 day later we finally crossed the border to Bolivia. We are now in Copacabana enjoying our new freedom.

Bribes?? If only, tried at every stage of the game. Will post full details later, but we had to return to Lima and get the embassy involved. Had to pay $670 in the end. Needless to say a beauracratic nightmare.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

J&R
www.eastofthesun.co.uk

PS.. We would have posted sooner but we were just too flaming miserable.....