How ATA Carnets Assist Artists to Expand Globally

Call Boomerang Carnets, Your Carnet Specialists

Have you ever dreamed of exhibiting your ceramics piece at a gallery in Japan?  Showcasing an immersive laser installation at a trade event in Germany?  Or taking part in a group show for new and emerging artists in Seoul?

With an ATA Carnet, commonly known as the Merchandise Passport, you can make it happen—affordably, seamlessly, and stress-free.

At boomerang carnets®, we’ve been in business for nearly 40 years in the U.S. and more than a decade in the U.K. and have assisted artists to expand their businesses globally using an ATA Carnet as their temporary method of import.  A few examples include:

• An award-winning U.K. designer bound for the Maison&Objet show in Paris with his artwork.
• The Czech artist David Černý for an exhibition in Mexico featuring his iconic Babies sculptures.
• A Canadian painter detained at customs en route to exhibit in the U.S. at an art institution in Seattle with 22 pieces of her art in tow.  Canadian customs suggested she call our Carnet HelpLine® and we guided her through securing a Canadian Carnet—rather than a costly customs bond—saving her a significant expense.  Though we are authorized to issue ATA Carnets in the U.S. and through the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce in the U.K., we enthusiastically assisted her. Artists everywhere need to know the benefits of carnets and how to use them. 

For artists, opportunities to—exhibit globally, enter international competitions, or showcase their artwork at international events—can be transformative.  Exposure on an international stage builds reputation, prestige, and generates sales.  Whether you are a fine artist, filmmaker, photographer, designer, craftsperson, gaming creator, architect, or in any number of creative occupations, the ATA Carnet is a vital tool to support expansion into new foreign markets and reach global audiences.
 

Exporting as a Creative Professional

This summer, boomerang carnets issued an ATA Carnet to Dianne Sonnenberg, an internationally recognized mosaic artist based in Austin, Texas.  She was invited by Mosaic Artists of Canada (MAC) to exhibit in their national show Unity, running August 6 to September 21, 2025, in Toronto.  Her sculptural works and mosaics have earned numerous awards, including Best Architectural Mosaic at the 2010 Mosaic Arts International Exhibit in Chicago.

Dianne Sonnenberg—Artist, Shares Her Thoughts on Using an ATA Carnet

Boomerang carnets recently caught up with Dianne to ask about her experience using an ATA Carnet to exhibit in Toronto.  She generously shared detailed information on using an ATA Carnet for her artwork Turtle Island, an intricate and deeply personal mosaic inspired by her Indigenous (Ojibwe) heritage.

When the opportunity to exhibit your art in a foreign country presented itself, what did you know, if anything, about using an ATA Carnet to temporarily import your art into that foreign country?

I knew that ATA Carnets existed as an option, but didn’t fully grasp how they worked, nor the many advantages of using one for my artwork.  With the tariffs currently being imposed on artworks leaving the U.S., I reached out to find out more.

Where did you learn about ATA Carnets for temporary export/imports?

Many years ago, you did a presentation in Austin for artists, sponsored by the city’s public art program.  I had also heard of some other artists using ATA Carnets for shipping their work to an exhibit in France.

If you were to explain the benefits of using an ATA Carnet to another artist, what would you say?

The most important thing to me: it facilitates the process with customs, making it much less stressful.  Since I don’t export my work often, I was very unsure and anxious about the process and didn’t want to make mistakes.  The ATA Carnet process was easy to understand, the application was straightforward, and the price was much more affordable than the various duties, taxes, and fees I would have to pay.

How did your interaction with the U.S. customs service Officer go?  How did your interaction with the foreign customs service Officer go?

My interactions with both of the customs officers were quick, efficient, and easy.  Both officers processed the forms correctly and offered advice for me regarding the return of the work back to the U.S. I was in and out of both offices within 5 minutes.

Did boomerang carnets prepare and instruct you on the use of the carnet to your satisfaction?  If you were to tell another artist about using an ATA Carnet, what would you add to the instructions you were given?

Yes, definitely.  I watched the videos that you prepared, and they were very informative and helpful.  I felt that I went into the customs offices prepared, and I knew what to expect.

I traveled with my artwork by car across the border.  You probably already provide this, but it might help to have instructions about how to handle the ATA Carnet when flying and when shipping.  [We do! click HERE.]  I would advise other artists to take time to watch the videos, look through the paperwork, and ask questions of the boomerang carnets representative when anything isn’t clear.  My rep Kiel Ursin was extremely helpful and provided clear information.

What was the inspiration for the piece of art you took to the foreign country?  How many hours did it take you to complete it?

The work of art that I created took about 110-120 hours of hands-on work, and many more hours of planning, design, engineering, and inspiration.

I created Turtle Island, a sculptural glass and stone mosaic, for a biennial nationwide Canadian exhibit with the theme of Unity.  I am a Canadian who lives in the U.S.

The inspiration for this artwork came from my Indigenous (Ojibwe) heritage.  When I think of unity in this place and time, I think of the land we live on, which unites us all.  Many Indigenous North American cultures call this land Turtle Island (including Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.).  I built the turtle shell armature and used natural stone and precious gems to represent the land.

The spiraling ribbons on top of the turtle shell/land represent the many peoples who call Turtle Island their home.  Represented by various cultural patterns and designs (rendered in cut glass, beads, and mixed media) we see that we are more similar than we might think.  Our shared humanity unites us all.
I strove to create a healing work of art that people would connect with on a deep level.
 

Why ATA Carnets Matter for Artists

The ATA Carnet, often called the Merchandise Passport for boomerang freight®, is an internationally accepted customs document that allows the temporary export of merchandise or goods import duty and -tax free into more than 90 carnet countries and territories for up to one year.

For artists, it ensures that creative work can move across borders without the burden of import duties, taxes, or complicated customs processes.  Whether collaborating with gallery owners, participating in exhibitions, or presenting work to museum curators, an easy, inexpensive method to clear customs is essential.

Temporary export of artwork isn’t just about logistics—it’s about opportunity.  With an ATA Carnet, artists can share their vision globally, grow their reputation, and make lasting impressions on the world stage. 
 

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