Departing the US | Entering a Country | Departing a Country | Re-Entering the US
Transiting a Country | Upon Return | Know Before You Go | Glossary

Read this before preparing your application

Air Couriers

While DHL accepts Carnet shipments, FedEx and UPS (small package divisions) generally do not.

Commercial Value

U.K. customs denied entry of Carnet because the merchandise was undervalued and did not represent a “reasonable commercial value.” Using the insured value of goods on your General List will usually result in a “reasonable commercial value”.

Export/Import Requirements

Obtaining a Carnet does not release your obligation to comply with U.S. Government export controls or foreign country import controls.  Some articles may require an export license for reasons of national security and foreign policy.  An export license allows U.S. companies to export commodities that are controlled by U.S. regulations.  Check with foreign customs in advance for their restriction or requirements on goods entering their country.

Electronic Export Information Filing

Effective May 15, 2015 and as a result of changes to the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR), ATA Carnet is exempt from filng. These changes cover both U.S. and foreign ATA Carnets, as well as those coming from and going to Chinese Taipei (TECRO/AIT). For a complete guide to the new FTR export requirements click here.

10+2 Importer Security Filing

ATA Carnets are not exempt from importer security filing (ISF, otherwise known as 10+2). However, ATA Carnet shipments ARE exempt from posting the bond required of other shipments entering or re-entering the U.S. via vessel. Except for the provision of the six digit HTSUS codes, the information needed to complete the ISF can be found on the Carnet or available from the broker clearing the entry.

Jewelry

It is highly recommended that identifying photographs be appended to the General List for Carnets entering European Union, especially Italy and the United Kingdom. It is also recommended that identifying photographs be appended to the General List for all types of Jewelry entries into Israel.

Holders should have blue transit certificates in their Carnet when bringing jewelry samples and/or loose precious stones to France. It is also recommended that Carnets covering jewelry and entering Switzerland for an exhibition or fair include transit sheets.

Motor Vehicles

Motor vehicles may travel on ATA Carnets only if the vehicles are commercial samples, professional equipment (e.g. for races) or to be displayed at an exhibition or fair. Special security deposit rules apply. Vehicles crossing the US Canada border as means of transportation are exempt from ATA Carnet requirements.

Personal use road vehicles (autos, motorcycles, trailers, ATVs, RVs, caravans) for touring, vacation and non-business travel need to obtain a CPD (Carnet de Passages en Douanes). To obtain a CPD, contact Monika Jadeszko at +1 847.852.3100 or Info@CPDCarnet.com, boomerang carnets for assistance. Boomerang carnets is authorized by the FIA to issue CPDs to American and Canadian residents for touring purposes.

Horses

Effective April 1, 2017 all ATA Carnet Preparers that have a horse listed on their general list will be required to complete and submit an ATA Carnet Horse Questionnaire (click to download form) along with any related supporting documentation before the ATA Carnet can be issued. USCIB recommends Preparers use the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) database https://data.fei.org/Default.aspx as a tool to assist validation of the value of the horses in addition to the questionnaire. USCIB no longer requires that the minimum value of horse listed on the general list of the ATA Carnet be $10,000. The actual value of the horse must be listed on the general list of the Carnet.

Read this before hand-carrying or shipping your goods overseas under Carnets

Airports

To avoid a claim, have the counterfoils and vouchers validated upon entry and exit into a foreign country.  Make doubly sure that the yellow re-import voucher is stamped by US customs.  This is your last line of defense to settle a claim.

For Carnets with a valid claim, Holders are subject to a maximum penalty of 10% of the total duties and taxes levied by a foreign customs authority.  This penalty is in addition to the duties and taxes.  Holders will also be charged a USCIB Claims Handling Fee.

Carnet Shipments Held-Up at Customs

Regular business hours, contact USCIB, Carnet HQ, immediately for assistance; tel: 800-538-8937, fax: (212) 944-0012, email: atacarnet@uscib.org.

Carnet Green Cover

Upon initial departure, the Holder or authorized representative must sign the green cover. U.S. Customs must validate the green cover and a yellow exportation counterfoil to activate the Carnet for its first use.  Foreign customs may deny entry of goods under a Carnet if neither the green cover nor the exportation counterfoil is properly validated.

Restricted Carnets

A foreign customs authority has the right to restrict the duration of a Carnet shipment and require that the goods leave prior to the expiration date of the Carnet.  If a customs authority limits your stay, this will be noted on the importation counterfoil (Item 2—Final Date of Re-Exportation) at the time of entry.

Substituting Goods

U.S. Customs levied an $80,000 penalty on a U.S. Carnet Holder who knowingly substituted similar goods on General Lists for re-importation into the U.S.

Departing the US | Entering a Country | Departing a Country | Re-Entering the US
Transiting a Country | Upon Return | Know Before You Go | Glossary

1. For initial departure, the Holder or authorized representative must first sign the green cover. U.S. Customs must validate the green cover and a yellow exportation counterfoil to activate the Carnet for its first use. For U.S. issued Carnets there are no exportation vouchers. Foreign customs may deny entry of goods under a Carnet if neither the green cover nor the exportation counterfoil is validated by U.S. Customs.
2. Use a yellow exportation counterfoil (for initial departure, use No.1). Indicate only those item numbers that are leaving the U.S. in Section (1) of the counterfoil. It is the Holder’s responsibility to ensure that U.S. Customs has indicated the correct item numbers on the counterfoil especially in a partial or split shipment.
3. Present the Carnet to U.S. Customs.
4. U.S. Customs will then validate the counterfoil.

Departing the US | Entering a Country | Departing a Country | Re-Entering the US
Transiting a Country | Upon Return | Know Before You Go | Glossary

Sec.148.11 of the U.S. Customs Regulations states “All articles brought into the United States by any individual shall be declared to a Customs officer at the port of first arrival…”

1. Present the Carnet to customs at the time of re-entry.
2. Use the yellow re-importation counterfoil bearing the same number as the yellow exportation counterfoil used at the time of departure.
3. U.S. Customs inspector must clearly indicate those item numbers re-entering in Section 1 of the counterfoil and indicate the corresponding exportation counterfoil number in the second part, Section 1. Customs will then validate the counterfoil. (U.S. Customs should allow the goods to re-enter the U.S. even if the Carnet has expired.  The expiration date only limits entry into foreign countries.)
4. MOST IMPORTANT:  Upon returning to the U.S., the re-importation counterfoil must be validated by U.S. Customs. This is the last line of defense in cancelling a Carnet or settling a claim without payment of duties and taxes, though regularization fees may apply.

Departing the US | Entering a Country | Departing a Country | Re-Entering the US
Transiting a Country | Upon Return | Know Before You Go | Glossary

At the Time of Entry

1. Use two blue (transit) use two blue transit counterfoil and voucher. Indicate in Section F(a) of the voucher the customs port (of the country of transit) from which the goods will exit.
2. Indicate only those item numbers that are transiting in the second half of Section F(a).
3. Sign and date the voucher.
4. Present the Carnet to customs at the port of entry.
5. Foreign customs will indicate the item numbers in “Clearance for Transit, 1,” on the counterfoil and indicate the port to which the goods are being dispatched.  The customs inspector will then assign the final date that the goods must exit that port in No. 2 of the counterfoil. It is vital to adhere to the final date for re-exportation mandated by Foreign Customs.
6. The customs inspector will complete 4-6 sign and stamp No. 7 of both transit counterfoils and Section H of the first voucher and then detach that voucher.

At the Time of Departure

1. Present the Carnet to customs at the port of discharge.
2. The customs inspector at the port of discharge will complete the Certificate of Discharge on the second counterfoil and Section H of the second voucher and then detach the second voucher.
3. When the transit is complete, Signature Sections 6 and 7 of the second counterfoil will have been validated and both vouchers will have been detached.

Departing the US | Entering a Country | Departing a Country | Re-Entering the US
Transiting a Country | Upon Return | Know Before You Go | Glossary

1. Use a white importation voucher. Complete Section D & E. Indicate only those item numbers that are entering the country in Section F(a). Specify in F(b) the intended use of the Carnet, e.g., participation in an exhibition or sales visit.
2. Sign and date the voucher.
3. Present the Carnet to customs at the time of entry.
4. Foreign customs must indicate only those items that are entering in Section (1) of the counterfoil.
5. Any customs authority has the right to restrict any shipment to less than one year.  Be sure to comply with the “Final Date for Re-exportation/production to the Customs of goods” in Section 2 of the counterfoil. If the Carnet is not restricted, the final date for reexportation becomes 12:00 midnight of the expiration date (c) printed on the green cover.
6. The customs inspector will then validate both the counterfoil and voucher and then detach the voucher.

Departing the US | Entering a Country | Departing a Country | Re-Entering the US
Transiting a Country | Upon Return | Know Before You Go | Glossary

1. Use the white reexportation voucher that has the same number as the most recently used importation voucher.  Complete section D & E. Indicate only those item numbers that are leaving in Section F(a). Also indicate the corresponding importation voucher number in the second part of Section F(a). Complete Section F(b,c,d), if applicable.
2. Sign and date the voucher.
3. Present the Carnet to customs at time of departure.
4. The foreign customs inspector must clearly indicate only those item numbers that are leaving in Section 1 of the counterfoil, along with the corresponding importation voucher number.  (If an item(s) is not reexported and duties are paid, it is vital that a customs cashier’s receipt be obtained from the local customs authorities.  This receipt must clearly list the merchandise not reexported (as on General List) and must note the Carnet number. The Carnet and customs receipt should be returned to the USCIB upon completion of the final use of the Carnet.)
5. Foreign customs will validate both counterfoil and voucher.  Customs will then detach and retain the voucher for a later comparison to the importation voucher.
6. Special Note: Customs authorities in the European Union (EU) may be unwilling or unavailable to validate ATA Carnets for goods moving between EU member countries.  Before final departure from the EU, INSIST on validation of both re-exportation counterfoil and voucher.
7. All items not reexported because of loss, theft, destruction or other reason are subject to all applicable duties, taxes, and possible penalties.
8. Carnet Holders who fail to have the Carnet validated at the time of departure may be charged a regularization fee by the foreign customs authorities even if a claim does not occur.