The ATA Carnet Advantage: Where Can ATA Carnets Be Used?

Understanding the benefits carnets offer.

In a new series of blogs, boomerang carnets® will describe the many benefits ATA Carnets afford our customers—ONE AT A TIME!  We’ve had inquiries from people wanting to understand more about the value and advantages this powerful trade tool can provide.  In the first of this series, we will start with countries and territories.  You will need to know where the ATA Carnet can be used in the world, where it cannot be used, and why getting your carnets from Boomerang is to your advantage.  ATA Carnets help grow businesses!     

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, goods, or commercial samples moving in and out of countries.

ATA Carnet Countries & Territories – Where Can An ATA Carnet Be Used?

Our website has a dedicated page listing the 87+ countries and territories located in Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.  The list is clear and easy to understand.  Countries in blue will link to a Carnet Country Advisory that contains crucial news on carnet use to that specific country.  In a case where more than one advisory applies to a country, the country will link to the most current advisory.  It is essential to know of any issues before you travel!  Our aim is to provide you with accurate, up-to-date information so that your travels run as smoothly as possible.   

Countries on the list with an asterisk are part of the European Union (EU).  The EU is a one carnet “country”.  If goods are properly imported into one EU carnet country and re-exported from a second EU carnet country, the carnet holder is unlikely to encounter any claims or fees.  For the U.S. there is also a dagger mark notation for Iran, explaining that they accept carnets but that U.S. restrictions do not allow a U.S.-issued carnet for Iran.  For both the U.S. and U.K. double dagger marks for Taiwan indicate that a separate carnet is required with a link to direct you further.  We also have a link to contacts in other carnet countries should you want a Non-U.S. or Non-U.K. carnet issued.

Options to grow your business are MANY and this list can inspire your next move to markets interested in your goods, products, and services.  Whether you are a contractor, manufacturer, film/TV production company, tech innovator, and more, the possibilities are tremendous.

If you are taking your goods, production equipment, or services into a non-carnet country, getting a carnet is still to your advantage.  The gravitas of this official document is a benefit at customs in non-carnet countries, since it will have a clear detailed list of what is being brought into that country.  It supports your purpose, and you are more likely to clear customs without hassle or suffer the withholding of any items that would impede or delay your business in that country. 

In both the U.S. and U.K., the ATA Carnet may be used as a Certificate of Registration for any goods departing and returning to the country of origin, regardless of whether the carnet will be used in a carnet or non-carnet country.  This saves you time and extra paperwork required by customs. 

If you are looking to grow your business and expand into international markets 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.

It matters where you get your carnets.