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A carnet is an international import-export customs document. Commonly known as Merchandise Passport or Passport for Goods, carnets simplify the customs process and exempt you from paying duties and taxes on temporary import-exports. Carnets last up to 12 months and cannot be extended, but may be re-applied for. They do not exempt you from obtaining necessary permits and licenses.

There are two types of carnets. The ATA Carnet applies to 84 countries and territories worldwide, while the TECRO/AIT Carnet applies only to Taiwan. They both function similarly, and an ATA Carnet may also accompany merchandise that passes through other countries in addition to Taiwan.

ATA Carnets can be used in:
A
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Antarctica
Aruba
Australia
Austria
B
Balearic Islands
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Botswana
Bulgaria
C
Canada
Canary Islands
Ceuta
Chile
China
Corsica
Curacao
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
D
Denmark
E
Estonia
European Union
F
Finland
France
French Guiana
G
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Guadeloupe
Guernsey
Guam
H
Hong Kong
Hungary
I
Iceland
India
Iran
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
J
Japan
Jersey
K
Korea
L
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
M
Macao, China
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malaysia
Malta
Martinique
Mauritius
Mayotte
Melilla
Mexico
Miquelon
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
N
Namibia
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Norway
P
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
R
Reunion Island
Romania
Russia
S
Senegal
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Barthelemy
St. Martin, French side
St. Pierre
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
T
Tahiti
Taiwan
Tasmania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
U
United Arab Emirates
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
W
Wallis & Futuna Islands


Nearly all goods are covered by carnets. Examples include professional equipment, commercial samples, and goods for fairs and exhibitions, as well as ordinary goods such as jewelry, apparel, and automobiles. Carnets also cover a range of unusual goods such as priceless paintings, yachts, and satellites.

However, carnets do not apply to:
1.Consumable items (such as food or agricultural products), disposables, postal traffic, explosives, and goods subject to repair.
2.Goods intended for sale. If some of the goods are sold, carnets are subject to a penalty fee ® the total payment of duties and taxes for the sold goods plus an additional 10% the amount of duties and taxes.

The benefits of using carnets revolve around the fact that they save a lot of time, money, paperwork, and effort in the customs process. Carnets are a single document and last up to 12 months. They eliminate taxes, duties, and temporary importation bonds (TIBs). Payment is in US dollars and the paperwork is in English. Entering and re-entering countries with your goods is exceptionally easy and hassle-free when you have carnets for your items and stay within the guidelines of how they are intended to be used.

If you need help with a Carnet, Packair is a popular freight forwarding resource that can help. Call them at: 310-337-9993 or visit them online at www.Packair.com.