Just had a very informative and depressing phone-call from the RAC (very helpful guy)

South Africans going down through Africa can not use a carnet to let their bike enter South Africa.or the southern african union. So I'd have to leave the bike while I finished the trip. This can't be right? Anyone got any ideas?

Anyone had this issue?

HHHEEELLLPPP!!!

Surely South Africa and the southern african union have temporay import permits that you can buy at the border? I doubt you would need your carnet for most countries in southern africa.

What is your intention?

To keep the bike in SA? (importation)

To take teh bike out of SA within say 1 year or less? (tourist)

If your improting the bike you cannot use a carnet. You will have to do some paper work (lots probably and some $$$) to have any chance of achiving an improtation.

If you are simply a tourist you should be able to use a carnet. Convincing the authorities that you are going to leave shortly is your problem. How can you convince tham you are going to leave? Job lined up elsewhere?

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

I am surprised by your info Ian. Talked to a Saffa recently who shipped his UK registered bike from London to CT and back for a 5 week holiday in SA. He had to produce a carnet on entry/exit in SA.

As a carnet is required for a foreign registered vehicle to enter a country the citizenship of the rider/driver is irrelevant. My understanding is that you get a carnet to cover all the countries you are going to. If you decide to sell/import your vehicle in any of the countries then you just have to return the carnet and all relevant proof of duty paid to the Carnet issuer for you deposti to be refunded. So all you do is enter SA on a carnet, get home, tell everyone your stories, hvae a Castle...and then before a year elapses you must go down to the local tax office and pay the duty required (refer below). Then send off you paperwork to RAC. Jobs a good'n.

Anyway if you intend importing the bike when you arrive:

This is from the SA DTI site:
2004 Publication.
http://www.dti.gov.za/publications/A...VE/Imports.pdf

It states that:

Motorcycle imports:
Motorcycles are not covered by the MIDP as virtually no manufacturing of motorcycles and parts are taking place in SA. Motorcycles attract a 0% import duty, but an ad valorem customs duty of 5% on motorcycles with an engine capacity between 200cc and 800cc and 10% above 800cc, is leviable.
.................................

Just remember to take along some sort of evidence to prove the value of your bike. Valuation by local bike shop. I was informed my Funduro is worth £500 ;-). So that makes R275 to import the bike. Not bad. Otherwise refer to the value specified by RAC carnet for previous countries.

I assume you would have to pay this at the first country of entry into the SADC region.

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