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Trip Paperwork

The bane of everyone's lives! (Unless you're a career paper pusher). You can't do a thing without the right form, certificate, license etc etc ad nauseum. Personally I think all the various bits of paper would have a much better use if they were also thoroughly absorbent because once the pencil pushers and rubber stampers have finished the paper can be used for other, more suited, purposes.

The Carnet

To give it the full name Carnet de Passage en Douane. This little baby is your bike's ticket to get you into and out of a country without paying Customs Duties. Without it you will encounter additional difficulties at the borders of those countries which require it i.e. they won't let it in and you're stuffed! Most countries' issuing authorities are usually motoring organisations e.g in UK the AA or in Hong Kong the HKAA! You must get it stamped going in otherwise you will have an unpleasant time trying to get out again.

The ICMV

International Certificate of Motor Vehicle (or something along those lines). This is a most useful document as it helps ease you through the Customs. Essentially all your bike's details are on it on the front page, each detail is set as an item number and then the pages that follow are in various languages. The Border officer can then process the information and get on with things even if you don't speak each other's languages. There is no one in HK to do this for me so I hope to get it done in UK when I visit in Dec'07 by the UK AA.