We shipped a Land Rover to Europe for a overlanding filming expedition project. Making videos for ad-clicks and products sales adventures and fun. We were told we had to get a Carnet because the vehicle was "EURO 3" and not allowed temporary import or normal customs entry. And it would be stopped at each border for the same.
After the Carnet was approved for export byCustoms. There were long booking and crazy supply chain delays. This was in 2022. We literally could not get a container to Eastern Europe. The Vehicle sat in export storage warehouse collecting storage and eventually took 5 months to arrive to Eastern Europe. It was supposed to take 1 month. Shipping was over $10,000, for 1 Rover with the camping and filming equipment and props and spare parts and other things.
When it arrived, we were accused of not properly shipping by Customs at destination, because it was mixed in with other things, and not in a dedicated ocean shipping container or on a RORO. It is not welcome. And we must take it out and open it elsewhere. As we were waiting for our container to arrive overseas our Visas expired. We explained the situation and were told to cross the border, stay in a Hotel 3 days, and cross back with the Visa stamp no problem.
On the way back Customs stopped us at the border. They did not care to hear our explanations or who we spoke to because crossing and coming back is illegal. According to them, we were never told this, and even if we were they will not approve it unless we were diplomats. They said we should have been stopped at exit Customs but since we were not. Someone had made a mistake and now we must wait outside the country 180 days. At this point we are waiting 180 days and have lost 4,000 EUR in Customs warehouse storage fees because of that. When trying to get the rig and items out , they said we had to come back and sign papers to get it ourselves. I could not find a transport to pick it up because they said they could not find a container or trailer that was authorized for cross border. We want to go in but but we can't because we were told to stay out 6 months. And I personally - cannot risk a ban there. And of course , we are paying the warehouse storage fees. Now it's been 11 months and we are not even started!
The Carnet is expiring soon and we are told we need a Carnet extension, which we have no choice to get, of course., since we are so far into this project. But that we are only allowed to stay in one country. On top of that I am charged a small fortune for an extension on a Carnnet that I never used - because it was never opened at destination in the first place. We cannot do a Land Rover Expedition in 1 country. Which brings me to my question:
Does anyone know if we can just cross the borders of Turkey, The Balkans and the EU with the Carnet Extension only and not be confined to 1 country as they say. Perhaps a map of where they will not check it. OR consider it a tourist vehicle and give us a temporary tag or tourist permit.
If anyone knows how to help, please feel free to chime in. Thank you.
After the Carnet was approved for export byCustoms. There were long booking and crazy supply chain delays. This was in 2022. We literally could not get a container to Eastern Europe. The Vehicle sat in export storage warehouse collecting storage and eventually took 5 months to arrive to Eastern Europe. It was supposed to take 1 month. Shipping was over $10,000, for 1 Rover with the camping and filming equipment and props and spare parts and other things.
When it arrived, we were accused of not properly shipping by Customs at destination, because it was mixed in with other things, and not in a dedicated ocean shipping container or on a RORO. It is not welcome. And we must take it out and open it elsewhere. As we were waiting for our container to arrive overseas our Visas expired. We explained the situation and were told to cross the border, stay in a Hotel 3 days, and cross back with the Visa stamp no problem.
On the way back Customs stopped us at the border. They did not care to hear our explanations or who we spoke to because crossing and coming back is illegal. According to them, we were never told this, and even if we were they will not approve it unless we were diplomats. They said we should have been stopped at exit Customs but since we were not. Someone had made a mistake and now we must wait outside the country 180 days. At this point we are waiting 180 days and have lost 4,000 EUR in Customs warehouse storage fees because of that. When trying to get the rig and items out , they said we had to come back and sign papers to get it ourselves. I could not find a transport to pick it up because they said they could not find a container or trailer that was authorized for cross border. We want to go in but but we can't because we were told to stay out 6 months. And I personally - cannot risk a ban there. And of course , we are paying the warehouse storage fees. Now it's been 11 months and we are not even started!
The Carnet is expiring soon and we are told we need a Carnet extension, which we have no choice to get, of course., since we are so far into this project. But that we are only allowed to stay in one country. On top of that I am charged a small fortune for an extension on a Carnnet that I never used - because it was never opened at destination in the first place. We cannot do a Land Rover Expedition in 1 country. Which brings me to my question:
Does anyone know if we can just cross the borders of Turkey, The Balkans and the EU with the Carnet Extension only and not be confined to 1 country as they say. Perhaps a map of where they will not check it. OR consider it a tourist vehicle and give us a temporary tag or tourist permit.
If anyone knows how to help, please feel free to chime in. Thank you.
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