Carnet and shipping
 

I'm planning on shipping two bikes in a couple of weeks, either by air or boat. At this moment I don't have our carnets yet.

When shipping, does the carnet have to be with the bikes, or can we carry it ourselves? It would be a lot easier if the documents can arrive later because they don't need to be with the bike.

You normally take the carnets along with your travel documents. You only need the carnets when either you pick up your bikes at the port customs or when you cross any borders to countries where a carnet is needed.