Paperwork for crossing the border
Hope anyone with experience can give a few pointers. I am in the early stages of planning a trip of a lifetime from China to Western Europe.
My questions are?
- What documentation is required to leave China with a Chinese registered bike, in my name?
- Should documents be translated into another language, i.e. English, Russian, etc.
- I only have a Chinese motorbike licence. Will this be a problem, since an International Driving Permit might be unobtainable. And then the translation question again.
- What happens when my bike's licence expire when I am on the road, which is highly likely? Can I renew it before the trip?
Any other advice? I am planning for possibly May 2019, probably May/June 2020 departure from Taihu area in Zhejiang province, crossing China to Kashgar and into Kazakhstan. Then through Kazakhstan, into Russia, turning south through Georgia into Turkey. From there westwards towards Portugal. Company welcome
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
here is my old thread.
you might find some useful info there. If you have any more questions here post here. I will try to answer according to my experience
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modron
here is my
old thread.
you might find some useful info there. If you have any more questions here post here. I will try to answer according to my experience
Thanks Modron, some useful information indeed. Did you do the trip? Would like to read the trip report.
So looks like the usual bike docs are all I need, as well as my C1 licence translated. I am talking to people who do this for Chinese who travel abroad. I will also look into translating the bike licence. No Carnet needed, as I won't be doing Mongolia. Also being a South African, I don't need a visa for Russia or Georgia. Will focus on Kazakhstan and can always hang around Georgia for a while to sort out Turkish visa, which is an e-visa.
Any suggestions for a route through Kazakhstan that will get me to Georgia?
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Hi,
Im not sure whether youll be able to get to Europe without international licence. My bike broke down in Georgia so I doidnt have a chance to check but it should be fine. As long as you have a bike licence. From what i know C1 is just for cars and youd need C1E but I might be wrong.
Get translated as many documents as possible
I crossed into Kyrgyzstan and it was easy. Took about 3h and this includes 2h lunch brake for the border guards.
If I were you Id consider a route through the stans, its more common but it takes you through a variety of landscapes and cultures. Both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are unbelievable, yet completely different. I think you will miss out going through Kazakhstan. Also, some folks Ive met on the road said its boring riding there, very monotonous.
p.s. come to Taizhou for a beer sometime
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Hi - I'm in the middle of making plans for a similar ride and I have similar questions about what kind of paperwork is needed and more importantly - where and how to get it.
I only have a Chinese DL as well - and so cannot use this to get a International Driver's License... From what I understand it's an absolute must have for travelling internationally - at least legally - and will be impossible to get insurance without it.
I'm planning to either head to Korea or India during the Spring Festival break to get a driver's license there and use this to get my International license. A WeChat article going around was saying that Jeju Do - the Korean holiday island - is popular with Chinese tourists travelling there specifically to get a DL since it was easier and cheaper than getting it on the mainland.
For me right now the difficulty is getting an ATA. I've found this website - http://atachina.org/ - but after registering and trying to apply online I find it will only accept Chinese ID (and other documents I don't have). My research says the ATA is needed to get a Chinese registered bike out - and importantly - back in to China.
Is there anyone who knows of any agents who can do this - or even explain what the process is?
There is also the Carnet en Passages en Douane - not issued by China - but apparently you can get them from other countries and it's the same
https://www.fia.com/international-cpd-network
I'll update this as I go - but if anyone's already done this successfully I'd love to hear your advice.
Cheers
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
I could not get the ATA online. They told me to go to a city close to the border where I was planing to cross and apply there. There will be some agencies to help you out too.
For me the problem was that via email the openly told me that id have to pay 100% deposit (if I remember correctly) instead normal 40% only cos Im foreign. I thought that when they can so easily manipulate the rules they might as easily not give me the deposit back when back so I decided not to go to Mongolia.
One member here did it thios way and payed normal deposit. His fellow Chinese riders helped him out tho
As for the driving licence, add me on wechat (jaro11111) I have a contact who can help you do your international licence in the Philippines. I didnt do it through him but I know a guy who did and it went smoothly
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Modron, thanks for your advice, really appreciate it. I actually do have a C1E licence, but not a foreign bike licence, only car. From what I understand from the Chinese who travel abroad is that there is an agency that translates it into any language you require and notarize it. Seems like that is the way to go and I will provide feedback on that.
I checked out Kyrgyz and you are right, seems viable to do on a South African passport, I can get e-visa and cross from either China or Kazakh, but if from Kazakh will need a multi-entry visa. Would like to check out lake Issikkul, but want the minimum hassles with visas and border control.
Did you need any specific paperwork other than registration and bike licence to get your bike out of China?
Would also like to hear from folks about requirements for crossing into the EU on a Chinese registered bike.
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
No special paperwork needed. They did mention ATA but once I said I will not be bringing the bike back they let me through
here is a thread with a few pics from my trip
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
You have no idea the shit your about to pass through.
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modron
Awesome pics, thanks!
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bigdamo
You have no idea the shit your about to pass through.
What do you mean?
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Quote:
Originally Posted by
modron
As far as I know that China do not allow 2 hand vehicles to export to other Country so you cannot get a ATA if you say so.
Well if you really want to do so, you can pay for the deposit for the bike(about half price of your bike) and then go.
You cannot get your money back and the bike probably can not be registered in other country.
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bigheadsnake
As far as I know that China do not allow 2 hand vehicles to export to other Country so you cannot get a ATA if you say so.
Well if you really want to do so, you can pay for the deposit for the bike(about half price of your bike) and then go.
You cannot get your money back and the bike probably can not be registered in other country.
I will have to look into this, as this can be a major show stopper. Not planning to return the bike to China, but I can get it registered in South Africa as a personal vehicle, so technically not an export. Definitely not willing to pay a deposit and lose it.
I did make contact with a shipping agent to look into sending it straight to SA, but they need a certification from Benelli that I won't copy the technology on the bike. WTF?
What was the experience of other folk who has actually done a trip like this? Prince 666?
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
What makes people believe that the ATA deposit won't be paid back when you re-enter China?
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Yes I have the tee-shirt
Shandong to the UK and back taking in 25 other countries.
Carnet is only needed if you are going to come back to China with the bike? ( yes I know it's not meant to be used like that? but welcome to China).
Just list your question here and I do my best to answer them.
Otherwise, if you pick your route were Carnet is not needed then you are good to go.
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Quote:
Originally Posted by
prince666
Yes I have the tee-shirt
Shandong to the UK and back taking in 25 other countries.
Carnet is only needed if you are going to come back to China with the bike? ( yes I know it's not meant to be used like that? but welcome to China).
Just list your question here and I do my best to answer them.
Otherwise, if you pick your route were Carnet is not needed then you are good to go.
Thanks Prince, much appreciated. Ok, looks like it is on then. Intended route is through Kazakh, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Greece, Italy onwards to Portugal. AFAIK no Carnet needed. I will just need visa for Kazakh, e-visa for Turkey and Schengen visa, being a South African.
What paperwork is needed for EU for the bike? I presume a TIP will be for the same length of time as my visa? From Portugal I haven't decided yet, hopefully my bike makes it, new Benelli TRK502X. Might head southwards through Africa, or ship somewhere, but have family in Portugal, so a base of some sorts.
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
:popcorn:
Watching this with interest.
As Prince666 wrote TIC... hopefully when you attempt to exit out the border the PRC Customs officers will allow you to exit without the TIC ATA Carnet...
If it turns into an issue, and they won't let you out, then could try to convince them using a PRC friend on the phone or similar who understands what you are trying to achieve i.e. leaving for good and not coming back with the bike etc or else head back into the warm arms of the motherland and try again another day or another time when a different shift of Custom officers are working and try again
Perseverance is key TIC
Re: Paperwork for crossing the border
Any thoughts on paperwork for Europe for the bike? TIP? How long is this valid? Thinking about moving on to Morocco after Europe, or ship the bike out.
I will also try to convert my Chinese licence into a South African one so I can get an IDP, might make things easier.
