
Get a US Carnet
A Carnet or ATA Carnet (pronounced kar-nay) is a temporary passport for goods. It is used to clear customs in 87 countries without paying duty and import tax on goods that will be re-exported within 12 months*.
In the U.K. there are two types of carnets issued: ATA and EC/CPD/China-Taiwan carnets. ATA Carnets are used for the 87 countries that are members of the carnet scheme. EC/CPD/China-Taiwan carnets are used for temporary exports to Taiwan which only accepts the EC/CPD/China-Taiwan carnet.
Carnets facilitate temporary exports to foreign countries and re-importation into the U.K. By presenting an ATA Carnet document to foreign customs, your goods travel duty free and import tax free into a carnet country for up to one year.
Most goods can be listed on a Carnet. Virtually all types of goods and equipment can be transported under the ATA Carnet:
See the complete list of Goods categories covered by Carnets here.
Perishable and consumable items (such as food, seeds, fertiliser, pesticides), explosives, disposable items and goods sent by post cannot travel under an ATA Carnet.
There are 87 countries that accept carnets. See a complete list of Carnet countries here.
A carnet is valid for up to 1 year from its date of issue except for Exhibitions and Fairs which is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.* Known exceptions to these validity periods are:
Korea
Malaysia
Mexico
Singapore
A U.K. or foreign customs officer always has the right to limit the validity period on a carnet upon inspection although to do so is highly unusual.
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 expiration date. 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.
A carnet can be issued and delivered to an applicant within 1 day, if the application is complete and approved by 16:00. Same day service is available for an additional charge. Obtaining a carnet takes 4, simple steps:
Please see a Sample Carnet Document here
To get more information about Carnets please call the Carnet HelpLine® at 0-808-189-3400, see the LinkedIn ATA Carnet User & Discussion Group, or email us.