Iran without a Carnet de Passage, possible?
 

I've heard of people getting into the country without one. Is it still possible?

I suppose anything is possible, but for Brits trying to get into Iran it's best to have all your ducks in a row. I got into Iran without a carnet... but I had to leave my motorcycle in Syria (that's a long story!) If it were me, I wouldn't even try getting in without the carnet. (I'm sure Desert Soul will come on and further enlighten us... over to you, DS.)

I met people in Iran who'd done it - they said it took three days of paperwork at the border, and the customs were none too keen. That was a few years ago now, and, frankly, things can have only gotten worse. But in theory, I believe that it is possible.

Simon

Just read this blog
 

This fella did it this year I think (sorry can't cross check his blog at work). Looked like hassle and no gurantees but doable if that is wha you need

THE HARD WAY HOME

Sorry to disappoint you, hopelessly lost, nevertheless it's nice to meet you here from time to time. :) As you know, I can only guarantee from my experience that you can enter Iran WITH the CdP, I can't judge or confirm entering without one, I also haven't met anybody who would have done it. But, as anybody else could, I also read some stuff here on the forum about people supposedly having done it. Good luck!

DS

Carne de Passage and Iran
 

Hi Guys

Do not even bother entertaining the idea that you would come to border and then try to get your Carne . That is just not a smart way to waste your time and money!

You need to have your Carne before getting to Iranian border. You also need to have your bike papers, insurance and visa . Sometimes you also need to show your Itinerary to the border officials , so have them all ready ahead of time.
Dont count on chance and unreliable sources .

Lots of luck and get back to me if you need any update about Iran.

Cheers
Ishmael

Iran is doable w/o Carnet!
 

I've done it 2005 and I'm pretty sure it still works if you enter/exit from the same border post. More details here.

Ride safe, Margus

i met an australian guy who did it without carnet in november, 2007.
I`m not sure but i think, he entered Iran from Aserbeidschan.
So, it`s possible but you need strong nerves and a lot of time.
After 2 days of discussions he did it, without paying anything ;-)
Tracey was on the way to India.
Pakistan was a bigger problem without carnet, he did it also, but he had to load up the bike on a pickup from Taftan to Quetta and then he must go from Quetta to Lahore by train. (he had also to pay for the escort by a costum officer ~ USD50.-)
Unfortunately, he had no chance to enter India by bike and so he had to leave it at the Wagah-Attari border.

If he only managed to enter the country after 2 days of discussion and nerves, it is certainly not the official way to enter, so I think this info should not be spread and the procedure not misused if we wish to be responsible travelers, respecting the countries we visit.

DS

Can I buy insurance at the border or port of entry?
My bike is not insured, but I have a carnet...

This is a concern.

They will be pleased to sell it to you.

Cheers,
DS

Thanx DS

Thats another thing ticked off the list.
If we fly in I suppose they there will be just as happy to sell me insurance too I guess.

N

It may work..see this link
 

Did some Google and hit this article. Seems there is no problem...send them a mail and ask for advice. They have done it 4 times !!

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/forwood/iran2.shtml


The traffic is abnormal, with high density and tempo. Have never seen anything like it before. Would considered night lags when trespassing larger towns. Guess your insurance covers almost anything, but NOT driving in Iran :)

Oseberg
That link has some good info.
He used his Carnet to fool Yemeni officials that he had insurance to ride there.


Off topic.
How high is the Iran-Turkey pass?
Our little bike struggles in high altitude...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/forwood/iran2.shtml

Iran might somehow be within possibilities, but I wonder, if they´ve actually managed to do India & Pakistan without a carnet (and getting to ride their bike, not transport it in trains or something?)

Anyway, thats some pretty freakin serious traveling that they´ve done, I must say.. hats off to them!

The passes Turkey >< Iran, if your going between Dogubayazit and Maku, I dont recall it being very high. But we were coming from Dogubayazit, which is nearly 2000m above sea level, and I think the road to the border went a bit higher, but not much.

But we came from Tatvan (Lake Van), and there was the Tendurek Gecidi pass between the lake and Dogubayazit, it was around 2600 meters. And a word of warning: in that pass area, we were chased by big, mean-looking guard dogs (Caucasian, maybe?) that run after us from the houses near the road, really didnt look like they want to be scratched. That was a bit scary, and it happened only there, but several times.

I was told the main road from Iran border to Ankara also goes quite high, so winter can come early. There are alternative routes further south, that should also go at somewhat lower altitudes.

Thanx Pecha

Dont like the idea of meeting up with those dogs one bit.
Dont think we could outrun them going up hill either!!!

Will ponder that.

Hi DS
Do you have more info about buying Carnet/Temp Paperwork at Iran Border?
I'm looking to Travel to Pakistan (I'm a Pakistani National) and dont have Carnet (and cant have as its too costly n huge deposit).
I read in HU, someone asked for EUR 1,000 & apparently bought for EUR 650. But that's still a lot.

Hello.

My last information about crossing the border with a bike without CdP were related to Sero bordercross. Not sure if they have the same practice in other bordercrosses.

Entrance without carnet is (conditionaly) possible, if you deposit some money for the bike at the bordercrossing. Ofcourse insurance is a must.

For the car, CdP is mandatory.

Regards

Nejc

I don't believe it!
I have spoken to travellers who have visited Iran without a CdP. They have paid a deposit into a bank and supposedly have it returned when leaving. However, some didn't know they were entitled to it back and didn't get it! (too much money)
I was advised by a company in Kazachstan who arrange guides and visas that this was how one does it. The participants on the Mongol Rally each year don't have Carnets.
Persistence.

Erm... yes they do!

Where did you get that info from? :confused1:

If I've been telling my customers to get them unnecessarily I would feel really stupid. I have no knowledge of anyway around the Carnet system and I do know of people being turned around by attempting to travel through Iran with it.

Mr Rob (Mongol Rally Chief)

I am planning to go to Iran without a carnet, will try my luck on the borders. If they don't like my bike, I'm not too fused, i'll just turn back and head to Iraq

You got to have it !
 

Hi..
I am going in mai this year om motorbike, Iranian friends who live here in Denmark, an go every year back on summerholliday have told me, that I wont stand a chance getting into Iran - without the carnet! ...and if I should try, I should prepare myself of trouble...

Regards..The Dane

I was in Iran without CPD in 2010.
Car LR Defender. I paid 400$ for preparing transit documents to Armenia.
We spent 14 days (transit doc was for 10 days) in Iran and exit this nice country with no problem.
Everything is possible for Polish:thumbup1:.
Don't worry, if you travel so many km borders is only thin line.

iran - carnet required?
 

Keep hearing different answers to this. I dont need a carnet on my journey at all (russia/central asia/europe), except for possibly through Iran. I'd like to get away without one, for just this one country.

Anyone know if its still possible/easy/cost effective to buy the carnet waiver at the border? I'd be coming in via Turkmenistan, and leaving via Turkey.

Thanks

Previous posts on HUBB re possible "carnet waiver" vehicle entry into Iran have always referenced eastbound entry from Turkey, specifically via primary border crossing at Doğubayazıt, Turkey-->Bazargan- Iran. The HUBB posts have never reported that a "carnet waiver" was possibly available at westbound border crossings into Iran from Turkmenistan or Pakistan. The HUBB posts have all suggested any possible "carnet waiver" was extremely problematic/ uncertain.
Iran clearly requires a Carnet.
Philip--apart from the Carnet issue, you're aware (?) that--assuming you're traveling on a USA passport--US citizens can only enter Iran on a personal visa with a pre-paid itinerary accompanied by a guide from an Iranian travel agency on an itinerary pre-approved by Iranian Ministry of Interior. Assuming you can absorb all the costs of such a required in-country itinerary, Iranian approval of such applications have been very contingent on current political conditions.
And, assuming your Sertao is US-registered, you'd have to separately get your vehicle Carnet issued by Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

I really hope you can include/ get into Iran on your very ambitious expedition routing. Just need to be aware of the bureaucratic/ political barriers.

best of luck

I'm British but live in the US, so UK passport. NY registered bike though.

I need to research Carnet's!

thanks

OK. Even with a UK passport, you should allow plenty of time to apply for
Iran visa, particularly if planning entry from Turkmenistan, exit to Turkey, particularly if you're applying for Iran visa from a location outside home country.
Iran govt also tends to be "persnickity"/ unreliable about issuing visas, depending on internal + external political situation.
And, even more particularly, if your bike is registered in different country from passport (US & UK), get some assurance that you'll be able to obtain Iran visa for UK passport, before you apply for Carnet from CAA. Pay attention to (different) paperwork lead times between Carnet application, and visa application.

If you email the folks at CAA, they are super responsive and very helpful. You should be able to obtain the carnet quite easily....and then with your UK passport, you'll also be able to get the Iranian visa. RAC seems to be much more particular with carnets than CAA (as I found when comparing notes with others who had gotten carnets)...so it looks like you've got the best of both worlds going on.

If you're not a AAA member, you should join, you get $100 off of your carnet application fee. THe AAA membership fee is well under $100 too, so win-win. Go with the indemnity option and you won't have to pony up as much cash as well. However, you won't get as much back when you do discharge the carnet...but if you absolutely intend on bringing the bike back or legally importing it somewhere, the guarantee option might be best for you.

Just to stir things up, I have a friend who entered at Taftan / Mairjaveh from Pakistan in December 2009 and did not have a carnet. We met up in Tehran and he must have spent at least two months in the country, then exited to Turkey. The car was a Pakistani registered VW Beetle and the logbook looked like a child's school exercise book. I don't believe he had too many problems when entering. I can't remember how much he paid for the import documents, but I seem to remember it was $400 or $500.

I believe that the less frequently used the border, the more difficult / expensive it is likely to be.

Garnet Iran
 

Am Iranian rider and have motorcycle club there, i passed many times different borders in Iran, the paper work normally takes in hours in many borders, even the Bazargan that is very crudy most of the time. you will need Garnet to inter, but who knows! many thing can done in different way also!:scooter:

Hi all, I wonder if thinks might have changed recently. I would love to go to Iran but don't have a carnet as I initially planned to avoid 'carnet countries' on my way to Japan. Wouldn't mind paying the amount mentioned (about 500 euros) if it was only straight forward and less confusing. Tkanks for info.

CdP for Iran
 

Hi,
friends of mine (German-Iranian couple) told me yesterday that they did it without CdP last year when they came from Germany by car, registered in Germany.
It cost them half a day of discussions at the border.
Even though the driver and car-owner was Iranian. And they had to pay something like 250 EUROs (without receipts of course...) to get the "permission" to enter with the car.
This "permission" was valid only 2 months, extension for another 2 months was costly again...
They said they would never do it without CdP again, simply because of the hassle and inconvenience without even major cost saving.
Of course, 2months is more than enough for normal traveller/transit, but, if in any way possible/affordable, I would still recommend to avoid these discussions with the guys at the border...
Greets,
Daniel

As i checked by myself and also i've been told that will cost about 450 Euros for a motorbike...So, i guess since last year the prices has been changed like everything else in Iran.

I will be getting in and out at the same border crossing. Do you think that there's an option to leave some returnable deposit (small cash or some documents)? Has anyone done something like this before?

Thanks

Deposit
 

Hi,
no, I do not think this is part of the service of the Iranian border police.
They are not banks. And I would doubt that you will find the exact person you gave the money in the first place upon return etc.
So, if you need to pay twice, pay twice and keep your money with you.
Greets,
Daniel

So, it seems i was more lucky than others.
It was long ago, august 2000, when i reach the Bazargan custom. they ask me for CDP, i haven't. they tell me no CDP, no Iran. The officer, very good english, tell me: "Let's have a meet with the custom general director; we can try to explain him the misunderstanding. Due to the Tehran agency informations failure, you weer told to get the CDP at the border, and that's not true. So, the agency is responsible for your trouble, the director could be
cohomprensive about that".
We, the director, the agent and I, got a gentleman agreement wich state i'll be allowed to stay three weeks in the country, then get back through the same point. So i did. i only had to get a director's declaration signed up on the passport, with bike data accluded, and pay a 70$ bakshish to the officer.