Selling UK/EU bike in South Africa despite carnet?
 

Hi Everyone,

How do I get around selling my bike at the end of an overland trip from London to Cape Town without loosing the deposit on my carnet?

Anyone has experience with that?
Is it at all possible?

Regards,
Wicjo
email: wicjo (aat) irc (doott) pl

Carnet deposits are normally paid back only when the customs office of that country from where you departed (usually country where carnet was obtained) has confirmed that your vehicle was returned.

Exception: If the vehicle has been cleared through customs at the country of final destination. Which means import duties :-(

So basically the only way is to pay import tax on the South African border and then hoping for the best that I will be able to sell it there?
Right?

How costly are the customs there?
How do they estimate the value of the bike?

Regards,
Wicjo

Google ? Search for 'Customs' and email them ?

Think you might find - go through the boarder on the carnet. Then find a buyer for the bike .. and their price - but don't sell it yet ... Go to the Gov. Customs department and find out what duties/fees you have to pay to get the carnet stamped out. THen you know the bottom line.. sell or export.

I've tried that already with very little success.
Got no reply.

Has someone here actually imported an EU bike into South Africa and knows what the procedures are?

Regards,
Wicjo

All the info you have is correct, its all possible, but BEWARE: South African Customs are there for the sole purpose of testing your patience. Dont expect a reply to any emails!
An Australian named Stephan (stephanopolo@hotmail.com i think) did sell his bike here legally about 3 years back (as have many others), he will have all the info you need. If cant find him contact me and Ill find out more for you.
Jim

I've just send him an email. Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Witold

Nah, this mailbox doesn't exist anymore.
Do you have alternative contact details?

Cheers,
Wicjo

mmmmm
 

Ive looked into selling my (British) bike here in SA too. The advice ive been given which is suported by the customs website says to import the bike you must complete the paper work prior to bringing the vehicle into the country and you need a SA address.

I have emailed the guys too but have had response also.

Paul

You can only import a bike into SA if you are a South African or a person on a foreign passport with a residence permit.

If you are one of these then you need to get a LOA from Mr Snyman at SABS and a import permit from Rene at ITAC BEFORE leaving on your trip (or at least before you arrive in SA). Plus you must have three independent valuations of your bike from bike shops in the country of origin. You must also have owned the bike for more than 6 months.

This is the procedure I have had to follow with the intention of importing the bikes when we arrive in SA next year.

South Africa - South African Import Regulations - Import Export Cars Vehicles Goods Items Merchandise