From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Guide for motorists on international travel, covering customs passes, taxation, and other regulations for driving abroad.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 76\1\ scan0273 | |
| Date | 6th February 1936 guessed | |
| The triptyque is generally advisable if a Member or Associate-Member contemplates visiting one or two countries only, but if several countries are to be entered the International Customs Pass is preferable, because it obviates depositing separate amounts for each country visited, as is the case with the triptyque. For instance, equipped with the International Customs Pass, the highest Continental duty payable on the car suffices for all the countries forming part of the Convention. The International Customs Pass must not be confounded with the International Travelling Pass. The former, as its name implies, concerns the Customs duty payable, and the latter is exclusively a licence for the car and driver or drivers abroad. (See below.) The amount covering the Customs duties is deposited with the Club, and a refund is obtainable from the Club after the car has left the country to which the papers refer, provided the regulations are quite simple, have been duly carried out. Full instructions are issued with each set of forms. It will be understood that this arrangement is of the greatest convenience, for not only does it avoid the necessity of carrying large sums of money, but it enables financial transactions with the Customs officials to be avoided, as it is only necessary to have the Club papers properly stamped and signed when crossing the frontiers. The Customs Pass applies to Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Roumania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, but NOT Germany, Austria, Finland, Poland, Portugal or Czecho-Slovakia, for which countries separate triptyques are necessary. GERMANY. UNOCCUPIED TERRITORY. In order to obtain a German triptyque ten days' notice is required. A supplementary cash deposit for it is unavoidable, on the following basis:— Cars weighing up to 10 cwts., 315 Dutch guilders per cwt., plus 20 per cent. ad valorem. " " 10 cwts. to 20 cwts., 105 " " " " " " " " over 20 cwts., 55 " " " " " " Owing to the fluctuating exchange an additional 150 guilders should be added to ensure the issue of the triptyque without delay. A Banker's draft should be drawn on the Twensche Bank, The Hague, Holland, and payable to "B. W. BLYDENSTEIN AND COMPANY, 55-56, Threadneedle Street, London, E.C." and sent to the Club with the request for the triptyque. OCCUPIED AREA. The Carnet de Passages en Douane, or a French Triptyque, is sufficient. AUSTRIA. The Club can issue an Austrian triptyque provided an English Bank guarantee for the total value of the car is supplied, supplementary to the £100 cash deposit and guarantee on page 1. This guarantee can be incorporated in the guarantee form (page 5) or separately; in which case a second guarantee form will be supplied upon request. With each triptyque and Carnet de Passages en Douane a leaflet of instructions is attached. These instructions must be read carefully and observed, to prevent inaccuracies in the use of the papers. Failure to use the triptyque or carnet properly may mean loss of the deposit and amount guaranteed. At the completion of the journey special care should be taken to restore each triptyque counterfoil or carnet to the Club immediately—by registered post. INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLING PASS. This document serves as a license for the car and driver or drivers avoiding registration after arrival abroad and can be issued by the Club in advance, subject to the driver or drivers and the car being examined before departure by an International Travelling Pass Examiner. This document works in conjunction with the ordinary British Registration Numbers with the simple addition of a "G.B." plate attached to the rear of the vehicle as near to the ordinary British Registration Numbers as is possible, so that both are clearly visible, which "G.B." plate is also provided by the Touring Department with the International Travelling Pass. Two small photographs of each driver, head and shoulders only, unmounted, measuring approximately two inches square, should be handed to the Examiner. The examination of the driver or drivers and the car can be undertaken at the Club by an Examiner on the staff of the Touring Department by appointment, or if in the country the nearest provincial Examiners on page 9. Page 9 DASHBOARD PLATES. Under the International Regulations it is necessary to carry two small plates, which are usually attached to the inside of the dashboard facing the driver. Members and Associate-Members requiring these plates should fill up and return the form on page 7. Page 7 FRENCH LIGHTING REGULATIONS. It is compulsory to carry two white lights in front, and a headlight with a 100 metres beam. Also a good tail light on the left hand side ("Off" side in France) of all cars. This light must illuminate the back number plate and G.B. plate with perfect clearness at night time, and it is necessary to show a red light behind. Page 7 TRANSPORT. The Touring Department is in a position to arrange the necessary accommodation for passengers and motor-cars, by Folkestone-Boulogne, Dover-Calais, Dover-Boulogne, Dover-Ostende, Southampton-Havre, Newhaven-Dieppe, Harwich-Hook, London-Rotterdam, etc., etc. In order to reserve accommodation the overall dimensions of the vehicles are required, length, width, wheel base, weight, etc. Shipment form page 7. Page 7 INSURANCE. A very necessary protection both at home and especially abroad. Adequate insurance should be effected. Expert advice and assistance is given in connection with all classes of insurance pertaining to cars, during loading, unloading, transit, and against third party risks, damage, fire, theft, etc. Also against accident to passengers, drivers, and baggage insurance. The Touring Department can arrange the necessary cover. Having no financial interest in any company or policy, the Club is in a position to quote the lowest possible rates consistent with proper indemnity. MAPS, ROAD BOOKS, etc. An unique stock is kept in the Touring Department of the most comprehensive and dependable maps, road books, route books and guides of particular interest and service to the motorist. These publications can be obtained at the usual rates, and catalogues are obtainable from the Department 2 [New Page] MOTOR TAXATION—FRANCE. Not to be confused with the Customs duties, which are quite distinct. Hitherto motor cars entering France with a triptyque or "consignation" if not remaining in the country for a longer period than four months, have not been liable to Inland Revenue Tax. Under the Budget Law of July, 1920 (Article 37, Finance Law) however, this exemption has been annulled and all cars are now taxable on the following basis: I. A pass (called "Laissez-Passer") valid for 48 hours at the charge of 3 francs, plus 2 francs stamp duty, should be taken out:— (a) If the entry into France happens to be 48 hours from the end of a quarter (i.e., end of March, June September or December), that is, 48 hours from the beginning of the next quarter, or less than 48 hours. (b) Or during the first month of any quarter (i.e., January, April, July or October) if the Member has no time to obtain the necessary Inland Revenue Taxes at the point of entry. (This is only for convenience), II. The "Laissez-Passer," valid for one month (charge 25 francs for a two-seater car; 50 francs for a car with more than two seats; stamp duty of 2 francs) should be taken out:— (a) Only during the months of March, June, September, December. (b) Or if the Member is absolutely certain he will not exceed this period, this pass can be taken out at any time. III. The "Laissez-Passer," valid for two months (charge 50 francs for a two-seater car; 100 francs for a car with more than two seats; stamp duty of two francs) should be taken out:— (a) Only during the months of February, May, August, November. (b) Or if the Member is absolutely certain he will not exceed this period, this pass can be taken out at any time. IV. The "Contributions Indirectes" (Inland Revenue Taxes) payable per quarter or yearly, should be taken out:— If the stay in France is likely to exceed two months, and when the entry takes place during the months of January, April, July and October. It must be clearly understood that the "Laissez-Passer" is obtainable from the Customs, whereas the Inland Revenue Tax is payable at the nearest Bureau des Contributions Indirectes to where the car is when the tax falls due. NOTE.—If a "Laissez-Passer" is obtained for one month it cannot be renewed for the second month. It is therefore most important for Members and Associate-Members to decide, on entering France, the duration of their stay, and to act accordingly. CYCLE CARS. (Maximum weight, 350 kilogrammes=approximately 7 cwts.—2 seats, 1,100 c.c. capacity) are charged on the basis of 100 francs a year, payable quarterly—25 francs. MOTOR CYCLES AND SIDE CARS. The following is the tax payable:— Motor Cycles ... 20 francs per annum. Motor Cycles and Side-Cars ... 50 francs per annum. (Plus 2 francs stamp duty.) It is to the advantage of members to take out the above tax in preference to the "Laissez-Passer," as the latter is chargeable at the same rate as cars, which it will be noted is considerably higher. Members who put their cars in dead storage or send them into the workshop for repairs are advised to carry out the following instructions:— Hand the two yellow sheets of the Contributions Indirectes to the nearest Office, explaining the circumstances. Otherwise, however long the car remains in this condition, it is absolutely impossible to obtain an exoneration for the time the car has been laid up, even if this time happens to be as long as a whole quarter or more. Appeals to the Minister of Finance are of no avail. When a quarter's tax is paid we would recommend that the Officials be requested to write the following words on the top of the yellow sheet:—"Valable pour le (1), (2), (3), (4) ème Trimestre Seulement." LUXURY TAX. If a car is purchased in France for exportation the 10% tax need not be paid; that is, it will not be collected by the vendor. This latter, however, should supply either a registration "grey card," in which case the buyer should apply for a free "Permis de Circulation" (obtainable at the nearest Contributions Indirectes Office) allowing him to leave the country within two or three days without paying the quarterly tax; or a grey booklet bearing "WW" numbers in which case no "permis" need be obtained, and the buyer is granted ten days in which to leave France either by road or rail. In both instances the grey card or booklet should be handed over to the Customs at the point of departure. II [P.T.O.] | ||