Learn about ATA Carnets - the international customs documents that allow duty-free temporary imports
Get Your CarnetA Carnet or ATA Carnet (pronounced kar-nay) is an international customs and temporary export-import document. It is used to clear customs in 90 countries and territories without paying duties and import taxes on merchandise that will be re-exported within 12 months. Carnets are also known as Merchandise Passports or Passports for Goods.
The ATA Carnet document consists of several important components:
Contains holder/user information and country details. The front cover includes the Holder (Owner of the goods) Information and lists all the ATA Carnet countries. This section must not be altered or amended in any way.
Features the General List of merchandise and equipment. This list cannot be amended, but it is possible to travel with partial shipments.
These consist of counterfoils and vouchers. Counterfoils are the control documents of the holder and remain with the carnet. Vouchers are the control documents for customs and are removed by customs officials.
In the U.S. there are two types of carnets issued:
Most merchandise can be listed on a Carnet. Virtually all types of goods and equipment can be transported under an ATA Carnet:
Consumable items such as agricultural products (food, seeds, fertilizer, pesticides), explosives, disposables and postal traffic cannot travel under an ATA Carnet.
A carnet is valid for up to 1 year from its issue date, except for Exhibitions and Fairs which is valid for 6 months from date of issue. Some countries have exceptions to these validity periods, including:
The carnet can be used multiple times and in multiple countries during the period of validity. Split shipments are allowed; however, items cannot be added to the General List once the carnet is issued.
Note: Mexico, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates DO NOT ALLOW split shipments.
Technically, a carnet cannot be extended beyond the validity period. However, in some instances foreign customs may allow a replacement carnet to be issued to extend the time the goods are in the carnet country. In all cases, the replacement carnet must be applied for prior to the expiration of the original carnet.
Virtually all types of goods can be transported under the ATA Carnet, falling into these main categories:
Consumable items such as agricultural products (food, seeds, fertilizer, pesticides), explosives, disposables and postal traffic cannot travel under an ATA Carnet.
The U.S. national guaranteeing association requires that all U.S. ATA Carnets be financially secured. This security can be provided in two ways:
Special Security Requirements:
A carnet bond can be applied for with the same application as the carnet through our online portal. You may be asked to provide financial information such as tax returns or financial statements to satisfy the surety company's underwriting requirements.
To calculate an estimated premium for the carnet bond:
Example Calculation:
$100,000 General List Value × 40% = $40,000
40 × $10.00 = $400 surety bond premium
Note: There is a $100 minimum premium.
The carnet bond is not insurance. It guarantees payment of duties and taxes to customs if you, the carnet holder and principal on the bond, are not able to fulfill your obligations under the terms of the carnet. For this reason, it's important to understand the responsibilities of a carnet holder.
