Car is delivered to freight forwarder bonded storage facility. Customs determines whether an inspection is necessary (no). Freight forwarder puts it in a box and transfers the box to the dock. Stevedore moves box from dock to boat. Shipper confirms it’s on the boat via a Bill of Lading. Australian Border Force (fka Customs) confirm export clearance, thereby activating the Carnet de Passages de Douane.
At least I think that’s the sequence. Fortunately Brent at Bikes Abroad is on point with the shippers and to ensure our agent Yuri in Vladivostok knows what’s coming and is ready to get it off the dock there.
I was worried that an obstacle was looming today when Border Force’s initial reaction to our paperwork was puzzlement. Surrounded by little signs pleading for civility, they were altogether cheerful and soon enough tracked down a colleague across this type of export.
Stoicism clearly reigns at the ABF. Overheard at the next booth: “24 hours in a day and 24 beers in a box. Coincidence? I think not”.
37 borders to go…