Money

Cash
Generally cash is king and is unlikely to be refused. Hard currencies can be used almost anywhere particularly the US$. The quantity you carry with you will depend on where you are going - if ATMs are rare or non existent, a good supply of cash is important. This should not be carried in one place but split among several - particularly in hidden and/or secure places.

Watch out that you are not short changed. When driving and you are fatigued and unfamiliar with the currency it is easy for the cashier at a service station for example to prey on an innocent traveller.

Travellers cheques
These are a safer option than carrying cash but are not as negotiable. In some places only banks will cash them and in others no one will cash them.

Credit/debit cards
The Visa card is the most widely accepted card in the world followed by Mastercard. However acceptance varies from country to country so take both. They can be used to get cash from ATM machines. Often the exchange rate used is the commercial rate and not the tourist rate giving an appreciable enhancement but a charge of usually 2.75% is made. The net result is often better than the tourist rate.

Take care to always check the amount on the slip is correct. The type of payment slip used abroad varies. Many provide for more entries than just the total. Restaurants for example will sometimes leave a space for a tip and the total is blank. When using an ATM make sure that no one can see your pin code and protect your cash. Make sure that you report any lost or stolen card immediately.

Make sure that some arrangements are in place to pay the monthly accounts. Computers don't understand that people like to go away for extended periods to out of the way places. The statements should be checked thoroughly to make sure there are no unauthorised entries. Fraudulent use is not uncommon.

Eurocheques
Expensive and not much use outside Europe

Currency and valuables declarations
On many borders you will be required to complete (in duplicate) a currency declaration that also includes space for other valuable items such as cameras, laptops, watches and jewellery. Keep the copy very carefully as it is likely you will be checked on leaving the country (or even en route) to see if you still have the declared items. Also keep all the records of currency transactions you have made otherwise you may be accused of trading on the black market.

In addition you should keep a complete list of everything you carry in the van. This does not need to go into every minor detail (eg you could list a tray of cutlery rather than 6 knives, 6 forks etc).

Take purchase receipts for all valuables and unusual fitted equipment.

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Written by Clive Barker in preparation for UK to China and back.