Pharmaceutical Companies Benefit from Boomerang Carnets

ATA Carnet Use Facilitates Growth for U.S. Businesses

Boomerang carnets® recently issued a Carnet to a pharmaceutical company for a drug developed as a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.  Noted as a first of its kind, the drug was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now on the market and available.  The ATA Carnet issued by Boomerang was used to assist the pharmaceutical company through the rigorous FDA approval requirement that drugs be shipped/exported safely.

The ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted customs document for temporarily exported merchandise, goods, or equipment.  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 or goods moving in and out of countries. 

According to the FDA, “Drug companies seeking to sell a drug in the United States must first test it.”  Part of this process includes verified proof that the drug can withstand being exported for a set amount of time and remain viable and intact. The company approached us on our Carnet HelpLine® and the first question they asked our Carnet Specialist was, “Can drugs be put on a carnet?”  In this circumstance, the answer was “yes” since the drugs were boomerang freight®, meaning not dispensed for use or consumption at their destination.  Though almost anything can be put on an ATA Carnet, exceptions include consumable items such as agricultural products (food, seeds, pesticides), explosives, disposables, and postal traffic. 

The units/kits of the drug were shipped in a cooler to Ireland via air freight, stored in a temperature-controlled warehouse for a few days, then shipped back to the U.S.  The ATA Carnet can act as proof and verification of the trip because Customs Officers inspect goods crossing their borders. The Customs Officers verify, stamp, and sign the presented ATA Carnet at each entry and exit.  This verification is documented proof of the shipped drug’s journey. 

The fight against this ravaging disease is vitally important and Boomerang was honored to provide our services.  Boomerang carnets strives to accommodate all ATA Carnet customer needs.  Our Boomerang Carnet Specialists are available to answer questions and assist you 24/7, just call the Carnet HelpLine® 1-800-ATA-2900 | 1-800-282-2900 or email us.

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Useful links:

Using the Carnet | ATA Carnet

Acceptable Carnet Merchandise | ATA Carnet