If you’re planning a cross-border trip, don’t let bureaucracy and bad planning stop you in your tracks.
Crossing borders with a vehicle entails lots of planning and a fair whack of admin. It’s worth knowing the requirements; getting it wrong can result in long delays (possibly for days) and endless soul- and adventure-destroying activities. Paperwork, stamps and disinterested bureaucrats can do that to you.
Depending on your route and destinations, different combinations of the following documents are needed. Knowing what they are and why you need them is a good start.
Third-party travel insurance
This is a driver’s insurance cover against loss or damage to any third party or their property and is compulsory for vehicles travelling in all countries. Even though it’s available at the borders, buying it before you go eases crossings considerably.
Comesa third-party insurance (“˜yellow card’)
If you’re travelling to more than one country, Comesa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) is a third-party liability insurance and an alternative to buying insurance for each country you plan to visit at each border.
It’s available in SA from the AA before you leave and valid in Burundi, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Carnet de Passages en Douane (CDP or carnet)
A carnet allows temporary importation of a vehicle. You provide monetary security with the AA before leaving SA for the payment of duties and taxes should the vehicle not return home. You need to plan your trip ahead and purchase booklets with the correct number of pages for each border crossing (they are available in five, 10 and 25 pages). Carnets are valid for a maximum period of one year. It’s important to get a customs stamp on entry and exit at each border; without these the AA will not refund your security deposit on your return. Each country has a maximum limit on the amount of time the vehicle can stay within the borders. Carnets require a refundable deposit of varying percentages of the vehicle’s value. These security deposits can be paid for in cash or by bank indemnity.
The cost of a carnet is determined by:
- Countries to be visited
- Vehicle value (excluding its accessories)
- Trip duration (longer is incrementally more expensive)
- Country of vehicle registration
- Applicant’s citizenship
South Africans don’t need a carnet for Namibia. It’s compulsory for Kenya and Uganda and recommended for Tanzania and Zambia.
International driver’s permit (IDP)
An IDP is not required for travel in neighbouring countries. However, it’s sensible to carry an IDP instead of your precious original licence card.
Stickers and triangles
ZA stickers are compulsory when crossing any of our borders and should be stuck on the back of the vehicle, trailer or caravan, no closer than 150 mm from the number plate.
Mozambican law requires any vehicle towing a rig (trailer, caravan and so on) to display two blue-and-yellow warning triangles, one on the front of the car and the other on the rear of the trailer. You’ll also need to show a set of red warning triangles and wear a yellow reflective vest when loading, repairing or at the scene of an accident.
If you’re towing in Zimbabwe, a set of T-signs must be displayed on the vehicle being towed: a red T on the extreme right rear and a white T on the left rear.
Other paperwork
Carbon emissions tax is now charged at entry to most African countries and is calculated on a sliding scale based on the size and the type of your vehicle’s engine.
Borrowed or financed cars require the driver to have a police-certified letter of permission (in writing) from the registered owner/bank.
Tips
- When you buy a carnet, allow leeway for unforeseen circumstances and apply at least a month before departure.
- Park entry fees are an important budget consideration for vehicles entering parks in Tanzania and Zambia. Budget US$40 to US$50 a vehicle over and above the entry fee a person.
Contact the AA
Tel 011-799-1009/42
Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Web www.aa.co.za
Check out the PDF for more info on how to get your car across the border.
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