Customs: Travelling with a motorbike and tuk tuk
 

Hi - I am looking for advice on who I should contact to determine the legality/feasibility to travel with my motorbike and tuk-tuk from Cambodia to Laos,China, Khazakstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran and Armenia.

I am an Australian woman, and I have a custom made tuk tuk that I use for general transport here in Cambodia. I'd like to further customize the bike and tuk-tuk and travel over 4 months next year from Cambodia to Armenia with a friend.

The folks at Caravanistan are helping us plan our route, however I'm concerned as to whether I'll actually be able to get the tuk-tuk in and out of the countries we're hoping to travel to. Id imagine it would technically be a trailer, rather than a vehicle - yes?

Is someone able to advise me who I would need to talk with (and any contacts would be helpful) in each country to determine whether this idea is feasible - its a make or break for our trip and Id like to learn now rather than later.

Any advice or contacts would be hugely appreciated!https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

Hi Wilky016 and welcome,
It has certainly been done before so should be possible, two British women drove one back to the UK from Thailand along something like the route you describe. Here is their blog which might have some useful information.
Tuk to the Road

Hi Wilky
 

Hi Wilky and :welcome: to the Hubb,


your Tuk Tuk looks good, but I would call it a scooter with a trailer. Sure you can drive (or do you say ride?) it to Armenia. It wont be that easy, but if you are determined enough you can do it. The only people in each country that can tell you beforehand if you are allowed to enter are customs officals. As I spend five days with a translator in the headquaters of customs in Kashgar (China), I doubt that they will answer any emails. I would say it will be difficult to get answers from customs before you are at their border.

For the China part you will maybe need a guide/agency to help you cross the border. Learn what requirements the Chinese have to let you cross. Read about me getting into China without guide/agency in 2015.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...na-i-did-82852

Maybe you can leave the scooter in Laos, take the trailer across, and buy another scooter in China, just an idea. Also leaving China will be difficult, but you can do it, as I have done it.

Get informed about visas to Turkmenistan and Iran. Learn what a *carnet des passages en duane* is, because Iran could/will ask for it ... but if you make it to the Iranian border you will make it across without (inshallah). From Khazakstan you could cross the Caspian sea to Azerbaidjan, go into Georgia and than to Armenia, just as a plan b.

Enjoy, its your journey and it will be an adventure for sure. Keep us up to date here on the Hubb.

:scooter: mika

Thank you so much for your encouraging responses! For China Id likely ship the bike and tuk from Laos to Kazakhstan by rail otherwise Id be looking at $10,000 USD or more in fees.