Get a US Carnet
Frequently Asked Questions
In the U.K. there are two types of carnets issued: ATA and EC/CPD/China-Taiwan. EC/CPD/China-Taiwan carnets are used for temporary imports in Taiwan which only accepts the EC/CPD/China-Taiwan carnet. Carnets are international customs documents often called Merchandise Passports for Boomerang Freight®. Carnets facilitate temporary imports into foreign countries. By presenting an ATA Carnet document to foreign customs, you pass import duty free and import tax free into a carnet country for up to one year. ATA Carnets also serve as the registration of goods in the U.K. upon re-importation.
What is a Carnet For?
The Purpose of a Carnet: Temporary Importation for boomerang freight®
A Carnet or ATA Carnet is an international customs document issued by 87 countries and territories. It is presented when entering a Carnet country with merchandise or equipment that will be re-exported within 12 months. It is sometimes called The Merchandise Passport for Boomerang Freight®.
Upon presentation, the Carnet permits the equipment or merchandise to clear customs without the payment of import duties and import taxes* such as VAT or GST. Payment is not necessary because the Carnet guarantees that the merchandise or equipment will be re-exported within a year. Thus the use of a Carnet is a way of temporarily importing into foreign countries without payment of import duties and taxes. Carnets also serve as the U.K. registration of goods so that the goods can re-enter the U.K. without payment of duties and taxes.
*A few countries and municipalities levy taxes in addition to import taxes. These can be called usage taxes, for instance. Carnet holders have infrequently had to pay these taxes in countries such as India or China. Since they are not import taxes the ATA Carnet will not apply to these taxes. If you have more questions about taxes in carnet countries please contact Curt E.H. Wilson to discuss.
In 87 countries and territories around the world. See a complete list of countries and territories.
Virtually all goods, personal and professional, including commercial samples and professional equipment, and goods intended for use at tradeshows and exhibitions. Whether you are a tour manager for the music industry, an international sales manager, a chief financial officer of a Fortune 1000 company, a photographer or a small business owner traveling with temporary exports, an ATA Carnet can make the journey easier and help control costs.
Ordinary goods such as computers, tools, cameras and video equipment, industrial machinery, musical instruments, automobiles, gems and jewelry, and wearing apparel are all acceptable merchandise.
Extraordinary items, for example, Van Gogh’s Self-portrait, Ringling Brothers Tigers, Cessna Jets, Paul McCartney’s Band, World Cup-class yachts, satellites, and the New York Philharmonic are also acceptable. Even DYI electronics a.k.a homegrown mechatronic gizmos can be listed on a carnet no matter how custom the device or whether it is a one-off.
Carnets do not cover: consumable goods (food and agricultural products), disposable items, or postal traffic.
When using the international customs document, The Merchandise Passport, it:
· Reduces costs to the exporter. Eliminates value-added taxes (VAT), duties, and the posting of security normally required at the time of importation
· Simplifies customs procedures. Allows a temporary exporter to use a single document for all customs transactions, make arrangements for entry to many countries in advance, and do so at a predetermined cost
· Facilitates re-entry into the U.K. Eliminates the need to register goods with U.K. Customs at the time of departure.
Basic processing fees are set by the issuing body. Basic processing fees are £195.00 plus VAT, effective 1 February 2022 for electronic processing. Once you submit your application online, a boomerang carnets® Carnet Specialist will contact you to discuss details and costs. In most cases, a compliance fee is required plus VAT and that fee is in addition to the basic processing fee. Carnet Specialists can also assist you by phone in estimating carnet costs: UK Carnet HelpLine® 0-808-189-3400 or e-mail.
Chamber membership is not required to receive the lowest processing fee.
Boomerang carnets® UK and the Liverpool Chamber process carnet applications and deliver completed carnets within 24 hours at no additional charge if the application is received by 4 p.m. GMT. Same Day Delivery is available for an additional charge. (Delivery options and costs)
There are 4 steps to getting a carnet. To submit an ATA Carnet application contact a customer service representative and obtain a login ID and password. Then log in to the secure application from the Home Page. To prepare the required information for the application, prior to logging in, refer to the application checklist.
UK Carnet Helpline® : 0808-189-3400
E-MAIL: Info@boomerangcarnets.co.uk
WEB SITE: www.boomerangcarnets.co.uk
Boomerang Carnets® UK
c/o Nexus U/W
52 - 56 Leadenhall Street
London EC3A 2EB
England
As the guaranteeing association, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is required to take security to cover any customs claim that might result from an improperly used carnet. The Compliance Fee calculated at the time you apply for a carnet will ensure you are in compliance with the LCCI security requirements.
Applicants may choose from several payment options: credit card, ACH Deposits, wire transfers, check or cash. For credit card users: your credit card statement will list a charge from "Corporation for International Business." A convenience fee applies to credit card payments.
Once a carnet is issued, the General List (the list of goods or equipment) can never be amended. However, split shipments are possible if the certificates are properly marked. Additional certificates are also available if more trips are planned than originally anticipated. The carnet can also be used for additional countries that were not identified at the time the carnet was issued. It is advisable to contact your carnet issuer if you decide to travel to a country not originally anticipated since some countries have requirements that others do not have. (See Advisories)
Some circumstances under which a claim will be filed:
1. Goods are not re-exported within one year.
2. Carnet certificates are not properly validated by customs inspectors on the way into or out of the U.K. or a foreign country.
3. Improper or inadequate description of merchandise on the General List.
n December 1961, to encourage world trade, the Customs Co-Operation Council now known as the World Customs Organization (WCO) adopted , the "Customs Convention on the ATA Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods." The purpose was to reduce the obstacles caused by varying national customs regulations. The initials "ATA" are an acronym of the French and English words "Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission."
Carnets are issued and guaranteed by national groups, which administer the ATA system under a set of conditions established by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF).
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry was appointed by the H.M. Customs in 1963 to manage the ATA Carnet system in the United Kingdom.