I qualified my initial posting as being for RAC UK. This means it for RAC UK in the United Kingdom.

http://www.rac.co.uk/web/knowhow/goi...AA956D80D6C6EA

"SECURITY RATE TABLE @ FEBRUARY 2006. Subject to change without notice. The amount required by RAC depends on the rates of customs duty and taxes in the countries visited - but is always a multiple of the value of the vehicle. E.g. £5,000 value x 150% = £7,500 (South Africa), Egypt 800% , Africa (excluding Egypt/ Kenya & Nigeria) 150%, Iran, India & Pakistan 500% Japan/New Zealand 100% Kenya/Nigeria/Libya/Middle East & Far East (e.g. Singapore/Malaysia) 200% Australia 100 or 150% (according to type of security arranged) + £5,000 supplement (cars only) South America 300%"

You could argue that it's not 800% but actually 80%; or that you are actually also paying 550%...you can play with figures for hours and still come up with different outcomes.

I certainly agree that it's impossible to have an item on the left specific for Carnet costs because as you said the various clubs use different rates and financing etc. I was just hoping to give others who are just about to delve into the dark world of the carnet a tool to get an insight of what they are letting themselves in for.....and that initially the 800% terrifiies the hell out of you but going through the full calculation it doesn't look that bad.

The calculation will stay the same it's just the %'s that will change.

I would obviously love to get a 55% carnet but as far as I currently understand I am stuck with the 800% because I am a UK resident and the bike is UK registered.

I emailed AA South africa twice now, in the same number of months with no response, to find out if it was at all possible for them to provide me with a carnet being that I am a SA citizen.

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