Shipping your motorhome overseas is only half the journey; once it lands, you still need permission to drive it legally in the destination country. Temporary import permits (TIPs) and similar schemes are what allow a foreign‑registered RV to be used abroad without treating it as a permanent import.
This article explains what temporary import permits are, how they typically work for motorhomes, how they differ from permanent imports, and how West Coast Shipping ties permit planning into its broader guidance in how to ship your motorhome overseas: preparation, destinations, and permits. It also shows where method choice—container versus RoRo for oversized vehicles—interacts with your permit strategy.
A temporary import permit is an authorization that allows you to bring a foreign‑registered vehicle, such as a motorhome or camper van, into a country for a limited period without treating it as a permanent import.
Across many markets, WCS describes temporary import as a regime with:
Reduced requirements versus permanent importation for vehicles that stay only for a defined period.
A clear expectation that the vehicle remains foreign‑registered and will leave the country again or be regularized under local rules.
Restrictions on sale or transfer; vehicles imported temporarily generally cannot be sold locally while under a TIP.
In its country‑specific tax and regulation guides, such as the global guide to car import taxes and duty‑free options, WCS notes that temporary import schemes are designed to reduce or defer some permanent‑import taxes, but the exact relief and conditions depend on the country and the specific program.
For RVs and motorhomes, TIP frameworks are especially relevant when:
You are touring abroad for a limited period and plan to take the vehicle back out afterwards (for example, a multi‑month Europe or Latin America trip).
You are entering as a tourist or temporary resident, rather than relocating permanently and re‑registering the vehicle.
WCS’s guide on importing German motorhomes and camper vans to the USA highlights both permanent import options (such as the 25‑year rule) and the existence of tourist‑style temporary imports, illustrating how RVs are treated as both vehicles and “houses on wheels” under customs rules.
Every destination sets its own conditions, but WCS’s global tax and temporary‑import articles show patterns that RV owners see repeatedly.
From WCS’s country‑level regulation guides, key themes include:
Time limits vary widely; many programs are measured in weeks or months rather than years.
Many long‑stay touring frameworks run up to roughly 6–12 months, depending on the country and the scheme, with some offering extensions in defined circumstances.
In some jurisdictions, duration is tied to visa or residency status, especially when permits are linked directly to tourist or business‑visit rules.
There are clear departure or re‑export requirements, often enforced through documentation or exit checks.
For example:
WCS’s Japan car import tax and regulations guide notes that Japan allows temporary vehicle imports under systems such as the Carnet de Passages, generally on a limited‑time basis with obligations to re‑export.
The Australia car import regulations guide explains that temporary imports can rely on carnet documentation and are constrained by set time limits and conditions on use.
Motorhomes fall under these same time‑limit concepts; they just bring extra practical questions about parking, camping rules, and size restrictions.
Temporary import schemes almost always come with rules about how the vehicle can be used, which WCS summarizes in several guides:
No local sale – The vehicle generally cannot be sold or transferred locally while under a TIP.
Personal use only – Vehicles admitted under tourist or personal‑use provisions are typically barred from commercial transport or rental work.
Export requirement – The RV must leave the country again within the permitted timeframe, or be converted into a formal permanent import with full duties and compliance.
In its temporary U.S. car import guide and the detailed article on tourist vehicle imports into the U.S. via EPA’s tourist application, WCS stresses the importance of timing arrival, documenting non‑resident status, and maintaining foreign registration for the duration of the stay.
Some countries rely heavily on international documentation systems for temporary vehicle imports, and RV owners need to know when those apply.
From WCS’s Japan and Australia regulation guides:
A Carnet de Passages en Douane is an international customs document that lets you temporarily import a vehicle without paying duties and taxes upfront, provided the vehicle is re‑exported.
It is issued by an authorized motoring organization in your home country and validated by customs at entry and exit.
Carnets are commonly used for tourist vehicles, including motorhomes, with country‑specific limits that often run to a defined number of months.
WCS notes that carnet‑based systems are especially relevant in countries with strict customs regimes, such as Japan, and can be the most straightforward way for visitors to move a motorhome in and out legally.
Even where carnets are not used, WCS’s temporary‑import and tax guides show that many countries offer national TIP mechanisms, which may involve:
A temporary import bond or cash deposit based on vehicle value, refundable upon proof of re‑export.
Event‑ or purpose‑based schemes (for example, show and display, exhibitions, or motorsport) with stricter documentation but similar short‑term duty relief.
Registration with customs or tax portals and potential checks during the stay.
For instance, WCS’s article on temporary vs permanent car imports to Germany explains how visitors, expats, and military personnel can rely on temporary‑import routes instead of immediately going through full local registration.
Motorhome owners planning extended stays in Europe, Japan, Australia, or other carnet‑aware markets should check whether a carnet or national TIP is the right fit for their route.
TIP rules do not change how your motorhome physically travels by sea, but they strongly influence which shipping method, ports, and timelines make sense, and how West Coast Shipping structures your move.
From a permit standpoint, the key issues are timing, predictability, and port choice, which WCS addresses in its method‑selection and RoRo/container comparison content.
Container shipping
Often recommended for camper vans and container‑sized motorhomes because it offers a controlled environment from origin to destination and can make it easier to manage staging around permit start dates.
Works well when you want the RV to arrive near specific customs offices or inspection facilities and to coordinate unloading with the date your TIP or carnet becomes active.
RoRo shipping for oversized motorhomes
Used mainly when the RV cannot fit into a container, consistent with WCS’s positioning of RoRo as a method for oversized vehicles and heavy machinery.
Ties your plan to ports that already host RoRo vessels handling trucks and construction equipment, as detailed on the RoRo services page and in the RoRo shipping process guide.
In the motorhome shipping overview, WCS explains that container‑versus‑RoRo is primarily about size, risk tolerance, and route, but permit timelines and inspection requirements are factored into that choice as well.
WCS’s temporary‑import and tourist‑vehicle guides emphasize aligning vehicle arrival with your permit window:
For U.S. tourist imports, WCS notes that timing vehicle arrival with your own entry is important for duty‑free treatment and correct non‑resident documentation.
For carnet‑based entries, you typically want the motorhome to arrive after the carnet is issued and valid, but not so early that storage charges accumulate before clearance.
WCS uses its international network—described in resources like the global import tax guide and the article on driving abroad after your car arrives—to align ocean schedules, customs clearance, and your travel plans so the RV can go onto the road promptly once the TIP is granted.
Temporary import permits require documentation beyond standard export and shipping paperwork. WCS’s FAQs and temporary‑import articles outline the most common items.
WCS’s international car shipping FAQ and general preparation guides list baseline documents you will almost always need:
Original title or foreign registration showing you as the owner (or acceptable proof of ownership).
Bill of sale or invoice, especially if the RV was recently purchased.
Passport or ID copies for the person bringing the vehicle under a tourist or temporary‑import scheme.
Power of attorney and shipping instructions so customs brokers can file entries on your behalf.
These are fundamental whether you aim for a temporary or permanent import; they underpin the customs declaration that links your motorhome to your identity and status.
On top of the basics, WCS’s temporary‑import and carnet‑focused posts highlight additional documents you may need:
Carnet de Passages booklet, if your destination relies on carnets for temporary imports.
Temporary import permit applications or approval letters, filed with customs or border authorities.
Event invitations or purpose documents (for show/display, races, or exhibitions).
EPA, DOT, or environmental forms in markets like the U.S., where tourist imports still require specific emissions and safety paperwork, even when full local conformity is not required long‑term.
WCS’s article on how to temporarily import cars to the U.S. sets out these steps sequentially—application, coordination, customs broker engagement, and border clearance—giving motorhome owners a template they can adapt.
Temporary import permits are extremely useful, but missing a detail can be costly. WCS’s temporary‑import and customs‑documentation guides flag several recurring issues.
From WCS’s tourist‑import and temporary‑import articles, recurring timing issues include:
Vehicle arrival before paperwork is ready, leading to storage costs and rushed applications.
Overstaying the allowed duration, which can trigger duties, fines, or complications for future trips.
Mismatch between your visa/residency status and the vehicle’s temporary‑import status, especially where the two are legally linked.
By planning shipping schedules, customs filing, and arrival dates together, WCS helps align your motorhome’s arrival with your temporary‑import window, as described in its tourist‑import step‑by‑step content.
WCS notes in multiple guides that customs delays often come from missing or inconsistent documents:
Titles and registrations that do not match shipping or permit details.
Incomplete temporary‑import applications or carnet endorsements.
Missing EPA/DOT or local environmental/safety forms where these are mandatory.
WCS’s method‑selection and RoRo/container comparison articles show that method choice can have practical clearance implications:
Container shipping can simplify logistics for many motorhomes by giving a controlled environment and predictable handover points, which helps coordinate with customs brokers and inspection schedules.
RoRo is essential for oversized RVs, but it ties you to specific RoRo ports and sailing schedules, so WCS relies on its RoRo expertise to ensure the overall plan still fits your temporary‑import timelines.
The how to ship your motorhome overseas: preparation, destinations, and permits article underscores that permits and paperwork should be considered upfront, alongside route, method, and destination—not at the last minute.
Once you know where you want to travel and how long you plan to stay, you can bring together shipping and permits into a single, workable plan.
Review WCS’s motorhome shipping guide on preparation, destinations, and permits to connect preparation, method choice, and temporary‑import basics.
For oversized rigs, study the RoRo services page to understand how WCS handles large RVs and how that affects port and timing decisions.
Use the global tax and temporary‑import overview plus country‑specific guides (like temporary U.S. imports) to check what documents and time limits will apply to your motorhome.
Place your call‑to‑action button under this heading to send readers directly to your international shipping calculator. Once they enter their motorhome’s details, route preferences, and rough trip duration, they can see container versus RoRo options and work with a West Coast Shipping specialist to align shipping schedules with temporary import permits and on‑the‑road plans.
