Take Your Car Overseas

Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD)

Travelling around the world by motor vehicle is the ambition of many people. The motor vehicle gives freedom to travel independently, stay longer or shorter time as the mood takes you, as well as the opportunity to visit places off the beaten track and to visit well known sights and attractions. It also allows you to experience different cultures and meet people from diverse backgrounds.

Just as you, as a person, require international identification, commonly by way of passport, so does your vehicle.

The document used to identify your vehicle is called a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) which comes from the French meaning 'notebook'. It is a set of vouchers and Customs simply remove one each time you pass in and out of each country.

The Carnet (pronounced car-nay) is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and saves time, effort and expense.

It allows visitors to temporarily import their vehicles for a limited period of time with a minimum of formalities and without the need to make a cash deposit at the frontier in local currency, equivalent to the Customs Duty and other taxes.

A Carnet is essential for the temporary importation of vehicles into most African, Asian, Middle East, New Zealand and South American countries.

A carnet is not required for motor cars, camper vans and motor cycles entering most countries in Europe or the Continent of North America for touring purposes. People temporarily importing vehicles into these parts of the world are required to sign a personal undertaking that they will re-export the vehicle within the prescribed time limit.

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is a member of the AIT/FIA Carnet network which guarantees to Customs authorities around the world payment of Customs Duties on motor vehicles, temporarily imported for touring purposes

In order for people wishing to export their vehicle from Australia to obtain a Carnet, they must be financial members of a constituent motoring organisation of the AAA.

For an application form please contact your nearest motoring club in the state or territory in which you reside.

With your completed application form for a carnet you must provide security in one of the following forms:

• Undertaking of an Indemnity executed by an approved financial institution eg. bank, building society, credit union or Insurance Company.
• A cash deposit in the form of a bank cheque representing the security required
• Pay a premium for a special indemnity insurance policy, available through the AAA.

The amount of security required depends on the countries to be visited and the current market value and type of vehicle being used.

The security will be released when the Carnet has been discharged by the overseas Customs authorities and has been returned to the AAA Constituent member from where it was obtained.

As a guide, a security, expressed as a percentage of the current market value of the vehicle, is required for the following countries before a carnet can be issued:

All documents exclude Iraq.

The special indemnity insurance premium is based on 2% of the market value of the vehicle with a minimum premium of $300.00 and a refundable deposit of $250.00.

A fee of $400.00 is payable in addition to the amount of security required.

The vehicle must carry current Australian registration while overseas and have an AUS plate fitted near the rear number plate. The AUS plate comes with the Carnet pack.

Australian motor vehicle insurance is generally not valid overseas, so seek the advice of your insurance provider. Some overseas motoring clubs offer short term insurance for visitors.

For more information on your overseas travel needs contact the AANT on 8925 5901, visit 2/14 Knuckey Street Darwin NT or email travel@aant.com.au.