Carnet complications
 

I received my carnet in December of 2007 in the USA for riding in Africa and planning on continuing through Europe and Asia. Problem #1, I unfortunately did not get the carnet stamped out of the USA. Problem #2 The bike was stamped into Germany using the carnet and now I need to return to the USA (hoping to leave the bike here to return next spring and continue to Asia) but the carnet expires, hence needing to return the bike to the USA, in December this year. What are my options? I'd prefer not to ship it back to the USA as shipping the bike is one of my least favorite activities on the planet, not to mention expensive. I didn't have to put a deposit on the carnet, what happens if I simply don't return it? I could temporarily import the bike to the EU, without the carnet, and perhaps acquire another carnet to be able to continue on next summer. Surely there has to be a way as people do travel for more than a year with their bikes outside the country, no?

I don't know why you want to get your carnet stamped out of your own country? It's a customs bond document and you don't need to post any bond in your own country.

I suggest you leave Germany to another non-EU country (like Switzerland) and get the carnet stamped out at the border crossing. This may be difficult, since German border crossings never see carnets, as Germany has never required it in the first place. Once stamped out you never need to show it again in Europe, or any other bike document (usually). You can keep your bike in the EU as long as you want, although this may not be legal, but nobody cares.

That's how the carnet works. You have to be able to prove the bike left the USA in the first place then was appropriately returned to the USA to avoid any duties. It's a seperate section from the other areas for customs office use.

I've considered doing that but I think that would create problems when I tried to cross the border from the EU to Russia or Turkey, no?

Very odd. You have documents that prove its a US registered m/c with a legal plate... yes?
If the chassis and engine numbers match, how can they try to tax you again.

Also, the carnet is a standard document and there is no provision for "home" country in/out.

Russia and Turkey are not signed up to the Carnet system. They may just stamp your passport though and you need to get that cancelled on exit.

Cheers,
John

You DON'T need to get your carnet stamped when leaving the USA. I'm on my fourth carnet now- on a US registered bike and am a US passport holder. Countries that don't require a carnet don't want to see it and won't stamp it. Ride on.

After speaking with USCIB directly the stamp leaving the USA is unimportant, however the stamp stating the bike has returned to the States is helpful to void any claims from a foreign country. As for which countries require a carnet, it always seems to be disputable. I just came from Africa in May and only used my carnet for South Africa. Malawi, Tanzania, other members of the Southern African council also were no problem without carnet. However, in the carnet it states that Russia and Turkey are applicable! When I plan to go to Asia I plan to visit some of the other countries that seem definent on needing a carnet for entry so I think my best option is to ship home and earn a bit of money to start again with fresh carnet and more research. My V-strom could use a rest as well anyways... Cheers!

Bikerboy,
If your Carnet was issued by USCIB, that makes it an ATA commercial goods carnet, not an AIT personal vehicle Carnet issued by the Canadian Automobile Assoc (for North American-registered/ USA vehicles), www.caa.ca/travel/travel-carnet-usa-e.cfm
Most HUBB riders use an AIT personal vehicle Carnet issued by their respective national auto clubs. USCIB/ ATA commercial goods carnets have their own/ special rules. In theory, a USCIB/ ATA Carnet can only be used for motor vehicles used for "professional" purposes:
Know Before You Go
"
Motor Vehicles
Motor vehicles may travel on ATA Carnets only if the vehicles are commercial samples, professional equipment or to be displayed at an exhibition or fair. Special security deposit rules apply."

Bottomline...you either got lucky or "pulled a fast one" to get a USCIB/ATA Carnet for your bike for personal travel, and it's likely only USCIB can answer your questions about how to extend or resolve this type of Carnet.