Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD)

(Notebook for Passing Through Customs)

BACKGROUND

A Carnet de Passages en Douanes (CPD) is an internationally recognised Customs document entitling the holder to TEMPORARILY import a vehicle duty-free into countries which normally require a deposit against import charges for such vehicles (generally countries outside Europe). The Carnet is used within the framework of the UN Customs Conventions of 1954 & 1956.

The Carnet is issued under the auspices of two international touring organisations - the AIT and the FIA. Major automobile and touring clubs throughout the world are affiliated to one or both of these organisations and a number are authorised to issue Carnets within the AIT/FIA customs documents network. This includes RAC who are affiliated to the FIA. Each Carnet is valid for a maximum of one year. A Carnet holder whose journey goes beyond one year may, obtain a second Carnet or an extension, by contacting the local motoring organisation and seeking further advice from RAC.

DESCRIPTION

The Carnet is a booklet made up of either 5,10 or 25 pages. A 5 page Carnet allows the holder to temporarily import into 5 countries or on 5 different occasions. A 10 or 25 page Carnet covers the temporary importation procedure up to 10 or 25 times. Each page is divided into three sections; the lower section is removed by Customs on entry into a country; the middle section is removed on exit; the top, counter-foil section, is stamped once on entry and once on exit. A country re-visited during the return journey will require a new page to be stamped. It is vital that the holder gets these endorsements as they prove that a vehicle has complied with temporary import conditions and discharge responsibility for any possible future import charges. Countries not covered by a particular Carnet are noted in a list of exclusions.

ISSUING PROCEDURE

On issuing a Carnet, a motoring organisation becomes directly responsible for the payment of customs duties and taxes if the regulations concerning temporary import are infringed.

In order to take on this responsibility, RAC requires the applicant to meet a number of conditions: they must be able to give a UK address and provide a copy of their passport and vehicle registration document/ certificate.

The applicant must also provide a security, calculated on vehicle value/countries of visit - the options are:

  • a bank guarantee, signed by a UK clearing bank (building society accounts generally not acceptable);
  • an insurance indemnity with the company R L Davison. 10% premium payable of overall security with 50% of the premium refunded on return of a correctly discharged Carnet ;
  • a refundable cash deposit (maximum amount accepted is £10,000)

BODIES AUTHORISED TO ISSUE A CARNET

The following bodies are authorised to issue a Carnet:

COUNTRIES WHERE A CARNET DE PASSAGES EN DOUANES IS REQUIRED

This list has countries that are known to require a CPD but there may be more that are not yet verified.

AFRICA
Burundi, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Senegal (for vehicles older than 5 years), Southern African Customs Union (BW/NA/LS/SZ/ZA), Sudan, Uganda.

Other countries have a mechanism for temporarily importing a vehicle. This document is often referred as Passavant, Laissez-Passer or Salvo Conducto. A small fee is often charged to obtain it, and it allows the vehicle to be imported and driven for up to 1 month. It replaces the Carnet in that country, and should be returned to the customs office upon leaving the country.

From 2006 Senegal is easing the requirement for a Carnet de Passage. It is only required at the North Border, and drivers usually get through without a Carnet by paying a variable amount between 80-100 Euros.

Also from 2006, Egypt now has its own Carnet, available for those without a valid Carnet de Passage at the borders. It still requires a cash deposit (up to 2000 Euros) which is returned upon exit.

AMERICAS
None

ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST
Bahrain, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates

EUROPE
None

OCEANIA
Australia (not required, but recommended), Vanuatu.

SECURITY RATE TABLE @ OCTOBER 2006

Security required by RAC depends on the rates of customs duty and taxes in the countries visited - but is always a multiple of the value of the vehicle. For example, £5,000 value x 150% = £7,500 (South Africa)

Egypt 800%
Africa (excluding Egypt/Kenya) 150%

Iran, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal 500%

Japan/New Zealand 150%

Kenya/Libya/Middle East & Far East (e.g. Singapore/Malaysia) 200%

Australia 150% + £5,000 Vehicle Import Approval supplement (cars only)

South America 300%

CUSTOMS DOCUMENTS – FEES

Carnet de Passages en Douane : £150.00 (5, 10 or 25 page)

Bank Guarantee Administration Fee £45.00 (Unlimited liability)

Bank Guarantee Administration Fee £55.50(Limited liability)

R L Davison Insurance Premium - to be advised by RAC on receipt of completed Carnet application form Premium of 10% - payable calculated on overall security/risk.
EXAMPLE : Africa tour including East Africa/Kenya (excluding Egypt), vehicle value - £5000.00 £5000 x 200% = £10,000. Premium of 10% payable, being £1000 with 50% refunded on return of carnet. + Insurance Premium Tax @ 5%

RAC Refundable Deposit £350.00 (Applicable to R L Davison Indemnity ONLY)

GENERAL

Generally, RAC requires a minimum of ONE MONTH notice to allow for processing/issue of a Carnet. Once RAC receives the completed Carnet application form, a quotation will be provided, without obligation.

DISCHARGE OF THE CARNET

On completion of a journey the Carnet-holder must return the document by secure post to RAC in Bristol. The Carnet will be checked to ensure it has been stamped correctly in and out of each country visited to ensure no further claims can be made by foreign Customs. After verification, the security will be released as appropriate. A carnet remains the property of RAC.

If for any reason the last page used does not bear an exit stamp, the last page of the Carnet (“Certificate of Location”) must be completed and witnessed by an official authority (Customs, Police or Judiciary) either in the UK or the country of final import. Failure to do this may delay the release of the security to the Carnet holder who can still be held liable for customs duties.

If a vehicle is stolen or written-off during the journey, a police report and Customs acknowledgement must be obtained as soon as possible. RAC should be notified as soon as possible. Failure to do this will almost certainly result in the Carnet holder being held liable for customs duties.

A carnet must be returned to RAC within 3 months of the expiry date, unless prior contact or arrangements have been made regarding issue of a further carnet.

If the Carnet is not returned to RAC and the carnet holder fails to comply with the temporary importation regulations & procedures, RAC reserves the right to withhold release of a bank guarantee or refund of monies to cover costs incurred.

CONDITIONS OF TEMPORARY IMPORT

The Carnet is a legal document allowing temporary importation only and, as such, penalties for its misuse are severe. Conditions of issue, including the general regulations regarding temporary importation, are shown on the inside back cover of the Carnet. The main conditions are:

A temporarily imported vehicle cannot be sold, loaned, abandoned, hire, or otherwise disposed of without the prior agreement of the local Customs authority and the local motoring organisation.

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The Carnet can only be extended with the prior agreement of the local Customs authority and the local motoring organisation.

The Carnet-holder is responsible for ensuring the Carnet is properly endorsed at each border crossing.

The Carnet cannot be used in any country where the holder is normally resident, nor in any country specifically excluded from that Carnet.

SOURCES

Prepared by RAC Carnets, RAC Motoring Services, Great Park Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 4QN. Tel. 01454 208304, or email carnets@rac.co.uk - www.rac.co.uk - Wikipedia