River CruisesBranson, MO - A Festival of Lights Tour

Carnet de Passage

Taking Your Wheels With You?

Your vehicle may need this documentation if you plan to drive it in a foreign country. As a member of the Alliance Internationale de Tourism (AIT), CAA is authorized to issue this permit to Canadian residents for touring purposes.

The Carnet is a foreign country’s guarantee that the vehicle has been granted temporary importation status, and that it will be removed from that country within the time limit imposed by the respective jurisdiction or be subject to all duties and taxes to permanently import the vehicle.

It’s an alternative to leaving cash security deposits with foreign governments. It allows free movement and unencumbered access between foreign countries. Restrictions include:

  • valid for one year only from date of issue
     
  • valid only in certain countries - contact us (link to CAA Manitoba contact numbers) for the most current list
     
  • you must be at least 18 years of age
     
  • you must have a legal or permanent address

Getting a Carnet de Passage

A Carnet can take up to a month to finalize, but CAA will guide you through the process. You will need to supply:

  • Two photographs of the vehicle (one showing the front and right side, and the second showing the rear and left side)
     
  • Two signed passport-size photographs of the applicant
     
  • A copy of the vehicle registration/permit document (both sides)
     
  • A copy of your passport (2 facing pages with picture and expiry date)
     
  • Application fee

Carnet de Passage Fees

Visa or Mastercard accepted

 

  • CAA members: $750 + taxes (non-refundable)
     
  • Non-CAA members: $950 + taxes (non-refundable)

 

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Financial Guarantee

This is required to meet any possible claims levied by a foreign government for custom duties and taxes when the vehicle is temporarily imported under a Carnet, but not removed or exported. It is held in trust by CAA in a non-interest bearing account until the used Carnet is returned to CAA. CAA requires a financial guarantee by the holder of the Carnet in the form of:

  • an irrevocable letter of credit
     
  • a certified cheque
     
  • or a money order.


CAA calculates the guarantee amount using the value of the vehicle and the maximum amount of duties and taxes that could be claimed by the foreign countries.

The Carnet should have an entry and exit stamp for every foreign country visited. On your return, the Certificate of Location (located on the back of the Carnet) must be endorsed by Canada Customs. This proves to CAA that the vehicle is back in Canada.

When the properly discharged Carnet is received, CAA will release the financial guarantee and balance of the cash deposit.