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Carnet - that one again - entry into RSA sea port Carnet - that one again - entry into RSA sea port
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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
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Old 28 Nov 2015
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Carnet - that one again - entry into RSA sea port
We are doing some advance planning for our trip to Southern Africa. Our current plan is to container our truck (Land Cruiser) into Cape Town from the UK (UK registered truck/UK passport holders). From my recent investigations it seems perfectly possible to enter RSA by land WITHOUT using a Carnet (just pay for a TIP) but to enter RSA by port/container seems less clear (ie Carnet may be needed). I cannot find any definitive info - except that many believe a Carnet may be needed. I cannot understand why there should be any difference (except the standards/professionalism of Port staff) why it should make any difference what method the country is entered by. Potentially this is to do with first entry of SACU? Can anyone point me to definitive documentation and/or recent experience arriving at an RSA sea port. I don't want to get a Carnet unless it is absolutely necessary as it is not required elsewhere. I understand the pro's/con's of carnets/no carnets - any definitive information would be appreciated
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Old 28 Nov 2015
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This from the SA based shipping agent we used recently. The bit at the end is relevant I think.

Though Carnets seem a pain and expensive, it’s still the easiest and quickest to clear as no formal entry is needed. We just schedule an appointment to inspect then collect Carnet when stamped, normally later on inspection day. Then the vehicle is free to go.

I also read the HU bits about traveling without a carnet through SA, but that guy entered via Namibia and exited via Mozambique land borders, where frankly they have no clue and we was dealt with by someone particularly clueless.

Read a hundred stories and you'll find a hundred experts.

If he arrived in Cape Town without a temporary import permit (TIP) obtained crossing from Namibia and asked us to ship or air it out of SA we would not be able to as we'd have no proof of import to acquit.

We had 4 Aussie bikers who were also waved through and Customs in Cape Town told me to tell them to drive back to the border (800km) and get a TIP. Thank god they had written their details into some register and after 20 phone calls to the customs at the border I got that page copied and scanned to me reluctantly and customs CTN grudgingly then issued a TIP so that we could do the export. So the Aussies got stuck in Cape Town for a week longer than planned.

I think the problem is that on entering SA from the North, it’s expected that where they entered the Southern African customs union they would be given a TIP but no one seems to ask.

Our advice to anyone who does not have a carnet is that on crossing into SA via land, they must INSIST on a temporary import permit if they plan to ship out. If they get told they don't need it they must still insist. If they plan to drive back out, then they can rely on clueless customs people to wave them through in and out. Even then, they are supposed to be asked to pay a customs deposit. Some get asked and most don't it seems.

For entry by air or sea as temporary import without a carnet, a traveller will have to pay a deposit covering taxes (average 22 to 24 percent), refundable on export. This is based on the highest of 3 valuations that must be provided ( adds off Gumtree, Autotrader are accepted).

If we then ship it out again, customs must inspect, we clear, and then apply for the refund. It takes about 3 weeks and we charge for this at 5 percent of the refund or minimum R1000 cause it’s a pain to process.

But if they drive out North it’s a bit more tricky. We then have to give them paperwork to be endorsed after inspection at the border and couriered back to us so that we can prove export and apply for the refund.

So in short, carnets are way easier indeed.

Temporary import by air or sea will attract the refundable deposit payment.

For entering SA by road without a carnet and planning to ship out, they must get a TIP at the border

FWIW I found having a carnet at various border crossings was one less bit of hassle to deal with- we hooked up with a convoy of Saffers crossing at Tunduma into Tanzania from Zambia and even they had carnets.
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Last edited by reggie3cl; 28 Nov 2015 at 16:51. Reason: speling
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