AASA is the official issuer to citizens of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini. The CPD is a legal requirement in many countries for border post entry without the need to pay guarantees when clearing your vehicle. In the event that the vehicle is not removed within the imposed time frame, the country may claim from AASA all duties and taxes that would be required to permanently import the vehicle to that country. The carnet holder would be ultimately liable for these payments.  The role of the Customs Officers – upon entry of a vehicle, the Customs Officer stamps and signs the importation voucher and the same applies on exit of the same country, the export voucher is stamped and signed.

Advantages of Carnet de Passage (CPD)

• Using a Carnet is an alternative to leaving a cash security deposit with a foreign government and reimbursement formalities.
• In most countries it eliminates the need for national temporary importation documents
• Facilitates entry formalities at border posts and port of entries. Most countries will accept carnets, while others will prefer to use their own Temporary Import permit (TIP) document.

Carnet is available to all RSA citizens and applicants who have a car registered in South Africa. Non-RSA citizens / permanent residents wishing to apply for a Carnet for a vehicle registered outside South Africa must apply through the carnet issuing club in the country where the vehicle is registered.

What documents do I need to submit for a Carnet de Passage (CDP)?

The following documents will be required in order for a Carnet to be processed:

• A completed carnet application form signed by the vehicle owner
• Valid South African driver’s licence
• South African identity document / Passport
• Vehicle registration and license disk papers
• Trailer / Caravan registration and licence disk papers (if towing a trailer / caravan) – Trailer’s and caravans require their own Carnet and deposit
• Cash deposit

Application form

DOWNLOAD the application form

Submit your application 2 weeks (minimum) prior to your departure date. Once AASA Travel department has provided you with a quote for your application, please allow 2 – 5 working days for processing, provided payment is received.  

Why do I need a cash deposit?

A cash deposit is held as security in the event you fail to export your vehicle from the country you visit within the validity period of your carnet. This will result in AASA receiving a claim for customs duties and taxes from that country, due to non-compliance of the carnet rules and regulations. With every Carnet application, you will be required to lodge a cash deposit with AASA. Cash deposits are held in a non-interest bearing account until such time as the used Carnet is returned to AASA Head Office and the “Certificate of Location” (the last page inside the carnet booklet) is stamped by either SA police or SA customs on return from the trip 

To determine the deposit amount required, the following will be taken into account:

• Country where vehicle is registered.
• Where citizenship is held.
• Countries to be visited.
• Current value of vehicle.

Quote will be provided upon receipt of a completed application form together with required documents – application to be emailed to Bokang Seroka – bseroka@aasa.co.za

Carnet de Passage Booklet’s

You will use one (1) page per country you enter (don’t forget to include countries on your return trip).  Carnets are available in 5-page, 10-page or 25-page booklets.  Calculate how many countries you will be travelling through to determine type of Carnet booklet required.

Carnet de Passage(CPD)

In the event of a claim from the customs authorities (which must be notified within one year of the expiry of the carnet in accordance with the terms of the international conventions) due to the non-discharge of a CPD, the guarantor association has one year in which to provide proof or re-exportation of the vehicle.  Customs stamps of countries subsequently visited and other documentary evidence may constitute proof of re-exportation.  Proof may also be provided in the form of the “Certificate of Location”, included as the last page of the CPD, which may be completed by a customs official or police in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho or Eswatini.

I want to renew my carnet booklet

If you plan to extend your trip beyond the expiry date on the Carnet, you may contact us and request a carnet renewal. A fee will be charged on the new Carnet and your cash deposit will be carried over to the new Carnet.  Some countries may require that we obtain permission from their Custom Authorities prior to us issuing a replacement Carnet (AASA will advise)

When do I get my cash back?

Please return your original carnet booklet back to the AA head office (AA Kyalami) by courier for the refund of your cash deposit. A properly discharged Carnet should have an entry and exit stamp for every foreign country visited on the stub of each page used. The “Certificate of Location”, the last page inside the Carnet, should be stamped by SA Customs on entry, confirming the final destination of the vehicle. It is proof to AASA that the vehicle is back in South Africa. It may also be stamped at your nearest police station. “Certificate of Location” is compulsory and must be completed following visits to Egypt, India, Pakistan and Turkey as proof that your vehicle left the country.  Note:  You will not get your deposit back if the “Certificate of Location” is not completed after visiting these countries.

Carnet de Passage (CPD) issued by foreign clubs

Foreign registered vehicles visiting South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini

Carnets issued for vehicles entering South Africa on a temporary basis are normally valid for one year. If the Carnet holder wishes to keep the vehicle in the SACU area for a further year, permission must be granted by the South African Revenue Service. This is arranged for you by AASA Head Office. The process is known as “substitution”

How do I get replacement Foreign Carnet de Passage (CPD)

DOWNLOAD application form here

Submit the following supporting document with your application:

• Copy of Carnet page showing entry into RSA or Namibia
• Copy of Carnet holder’s passport
• Email from the issuing club confirming they hold a guarantee in place

Application to be emailed to junior.setsiba@aasa.co.za or opombo@aasa.co.za
If the application is approved, a service fee will be charged. If declined, AASA will advise.