Dear One and All,

I met up with Mr.Carnet on Sunday, and can report the following:

The carnet quality is very good. Somebody who has used carnets before (and knows that it is not real) might be able to spot that it is not correct. If they did not know it was fake, then you cannot tell. When it comes to Customs Officers, I think that even European ones would not spot it (and you don't have to show it to them!). Outside of Europe (particularly after it has been accepted by the first country), you won't have a problem.

It can be fully personalised, and the serial numbers are different and non-consecutive for each one.

Essentially, Mr Carnet is a Brit traveller who with a bit of nouse has tracked down software/printing inks/special paper (with the perforations etc.) and put the whole lot together. He is not dodgy (all the carnets he has done for people have been correctly addressed etc.), and they are produced to save genuine travellers cash, rather than to facilitate vehicle smuggling.

I think he's going to change his email address (from a marketing point of view the last one was pretty poor!).

His reticence to put more personal details on an internet bulletin board offering potentially illegal services is understandable! I do think, though, that producing and possession of a fake carnet is not illegal, use of is.

That's it. Any more queries, you can contact Inspector Griffiths, Special Investigations (Sting Dept), HM Customs and Excise, Dover.

Sam.