ATA Carnets: Gateway to New Markets

It’s time to grow your business affordably.

Boomerang carnets® presented ATA Carnets - How to Save Money and Simplify your Temporary Exports and Imports, a webinar for the Alabama International Trade Center (AITC) held on April 5^th.  Carolyn Turner, Senior International Trade Specialist with AITC, moderated the event.  Presenters were Kiel Ursin, Carnet Specialist with boomerang carnets and Brendan Boles, Senior Director, International Operations at SOS Global Express.  Attendees were both seasoned ATA Carnet users and those who have never used an ATA Carnet.  The presentation covered, Definitions, Case Study & Examples, the Benefits of Using a Carnet, as well as how Freight Forwarders come into play when using ATA Carnets.  All questions were addressed in a lively Q&A.  In the chat afterward, attendee G.B. Jones captured the consensus: “Thank you for your time and insights today! Very useful info.”

The ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted customs document for temporarily exported merchandise or goods.  It allows cross border movement of those goods import-duty and -tax free into 87+ carnet countries and territories for up to a year.  The ATA Carnet is known as the Merchandise Passport for boomerang freight® and ideal for Professional Equipment, Commercial Samples, and goods for display at Exhibitions and Trade Shows moving in and out of countries.

Boomerang dedicated time to the application process in this webinar because of advance interest expressed by constituents of the AITC.  “It’s easy!” Kiel said and went on to explain that it is important to first start an account so that moving forward, as you gather the information needed for your carnet, you will have a secure portal to upload it to.  You are under no obligation when you start an account.  It is always good to apply for a carnet weeks in advance and at the very least 2-3 days before your trip.  Also know, “RUSH” carnets can be accommodated.  There are seven tabs that ask for information: HOLDER, COUNTRIES, ITEM LIST, SHIPPING PAYMENT, OPTIONS, SUBMIT.  You simply input the information needed.  It is all clearly laid out and if you should need any help during this process a Carnet Specialist can readily assist.   

The ATA Carnet is item specific not country specific.  You can travel or ship to multiple countries with the same document.  There are 87+ carnet countries that you can travel to for up to a year.  The savings ATA Carnets provide were illustrated in a case study showing the significant savings for one company using carnets that, over time, saved millions of dollars.    

Esteemed guest, Anthony Cambas, Manager of International Trade at the University of Mississippi SBDC, and veteran advisor to U.S. Customs in 20 countries around the world, said, “Even though the savings ATA Carnets provide can be tremendous especially, as Kiel pointed out, if you are travelling with millions of dollars worth of equipment.  It is important to remember that the ATA Carnet is a gateway to new markets that can significantly grow your business in a most affordable way.”

If you are interested in viewing this webinar, Carolyn Turner has generously made a recording available to view: (2) ATA Carnets Webinar - How to Save Money and Simplify your Temporary Exports and Imports - YouTube.

If you are interested in growing your business using ATA Carnets, call us.  Boomerang’s Carnet Specialists offer expert customer service and are here to assist you 24/7.  Just call the Carnet HelpLine® 1-800-ATA-2900 |1-800-282-2900 or email us.  Also, if you want to ship by cargo, Boomerang has freight forwarder partners who can deliver your carnet to you, as well as handle your freight.  For ATA Carnet news and updates subscribe to our eNewsletter: Exportise

JOIN US!  Our next webinar is May 3 at 11:00 a.m. EDT, ATA Carnets: The “Merchandise Passport” to Save Money & Time While Expanding Globally.  This webinar will cover the full scope and use of carnets. Information and Registration click here: Export.gov (doc.gov)

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