A number of posts back I did special about documents required in Indochina. The data was a summary of my research. Well, the research was not as accurate as I had hoped, and was woefully inaccurate. Below is the updated version of what actually transpired during the trip.
Requirements
Carnet de Passage - Carnets can be expensive and costs vary by country to enter and what country you are a citizen, Additionally, the carnet book and coupons MUST be returned to the issuer on time (365 days) or the cash bond ($10,000 in my case) is forfeited.
Tour Guide - Due to political requirements, heavy lobbying by the tourist industry, or a countries desire to keep additional drivers from their roads, some countries require tour guides to enter,
International Drivers Licence - Essentially a language translation of your state issued drivers licence. Everyone should have one when traveling through Indochina. Mine is only good for a single year, but not a single country seems to mind that it expired a while ago.
Country Summary
Burma/Myanmar - Required: Tour Guide - Through the HUBB bulletin board, I contacted a tour guide and together we assembled a plan to cross the country. The trip took 5 days and cost $430 to include tour guides, tour vehicle, hotel and breakfast We assembled a total of 9 vehicles (7 motorcycles, an SUV and a RV). The tour guide has his hands full, as one motorcycle and the RV broke down. Only extra charge for both parties were the repair costs. Borders Controls Stations Utilized: Moreh, Tachileik.
Cambodia - Required: Nothing - Went right through border control, no customs check.
Borders Controls Stations Utilized: Cham Yeam, Phsar Phum. Do not use Poi Pet, your vehicle will be confiscated until you go to Phenom Phen to get your tour guides licence.
India - Required: Carnet, International Drivers Licence. Avoid Airports if possible, customs can take three days and hundreds of dollars of import fees. Overland border stations were relatively pain free.
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Banbasa, Birgunj, Moreh
Laos - Required: Carnet (country specific not required), Be careful, Customs is not that familiar with the process, I had to walk them through the carnet to show them what portions to sign, to keep, and what stamps to use.
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Freedom Bridge (Vientiane), Kenethao (denied entry), The Kenethao Border Crossing is limited to cars and trucks only, no motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians.
Malaysia - Required: Carnet. Border controls stations have a history of allowing vehicles in without a carnet, then not allow them out. Make sure they take a carnet when entering.
Nepal - Required: Carnet (country specific not required). Very low key, processing took 5-10 minutes
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Banbasa, Birgunj,
Thailand - Required: Carnet (country specific not required). Insurance, Entrance from Burma is very difficult and restrictive. The other bordering countries appear to be quite passable.
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Tachileik, Freedom Bridge (Vientiane), Cham Yeam, Phsar Phum.
Vietnam - Only on a tour (90 days advance notice), Since it is not necessary to pass through Vietnam when crossing Indochina, most either skip the country or park their vehicles and either fly or take a bus. There is an underground market inside the country where motorcycles are sold and purchased.
Requirements
Carnet de Passage - Carnets can be expensive and costs vary by country to enter and what country you are a citizen, Additionally, the carnet book and coupons MUST be returned to the issuer on time (365 days) or the cash bond ($10,000 in my case) is forfeited.
Tour Guide - Due to political requirements, heavy lobbying by the tourist industry, or a countries desire to keep additional drivers from their roads, some countries require tour guides to enter,
International Drivers Licence - Essentially a language translation of your state issued drivers licence. Everyone should have one when traveling through Indochina. Mine is only good for a single year, but not a single country seems to mind that it expired a while ago.
Country Summary
Burma/Myanmar - Required: Tour Guide - Through the HUBB bulletin board, I contacted a tour guide and together we assembled a plan to cross the country. The trip took 5 days and cost $430 to include tour guides, tour vehicle, hotel and breakfast We assembled a total of 9 vehicles (7 motorcycles, an SUV and a RV). The tour guide has his hands full, as one motorcycle and the RV broke down. Only extra charge for both parties were the repair costs. Borders Controls Stations Utilized: Moreh, Tachileik.
Cambodia - Required: Nothing - Went right through border control, no customs check.
Borders Controls Stations Utilized: Cham Yeam, Phsar Phum. Do not use Poi Pet, your vehicle will be confiscated until you go to Phenom Phen to get your tour guides licence.
India - Required: Carnet, International Drivers Licence. Avoid Airports if possible, customs can take three days and hundreds of dollars of import fees. Overland border stations were relatively pain free.
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Banbasa, Birgunj, Moreh
Laos - Required: Carnet (country specific not required), Be careful, Customs is not that familiar with the process, I had to walk them through the carnet to show them what portions to sign, to keep, and what stamps to use.
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Freedom Bridge (Vientiane), Kenethao (denied entry), The Kenethao Border Crossing is limited to cars and trucks only, no motorcycles, bicycles, or pedestrians.
Malaysia - Required: Carnet. Border controls stations have a history of allowing vehicles in without a carnet, then not allow them out. Make sure they take a carnet when entering.
Nepal - Required: Carnet (country specific not required). Very low key, processing took 5-10 minutes
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Banbasa, Birgunj,
Thailand - Required: Carnet (country specific not required). Insurance, Entrance from Burma is very difficult and restrictive. The other bordering countries appear to be quite passable.
Borders Control Stations Utilized: Tachileik, Freedom Bridge (Vientiane), Cham Yeam, Phsar Phum.
Vietnam - Only on a tour (90 days advance notice), Since it is not necessary to pass through Vietnam when crossing Indochina, most either skip the country or park their vehicles and either fly or take a bus. There is an underground market inside the country where motorcycles are sold and purchased.
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