The Best Carnet Planning - It's About the Itinerary

Applying for and receiving a carnet are just the beginning of the carnet experience.

Actually using the carnet to register the goods with US customs upon departure is the next step. Carnet Specialists assist carnet users in this next step by asking "when" and "where." Successfully shipping or hand-carrying the goods out of the U.S. using a carnet is all about the itinerary.

When are the goods traveling?

Knowing the date, day and time of departure and arrival including any stopovers can help a Carnet Specialist advise on how to navigate the airport and customs upon departure and arrival when you have hand-carried goods.

In many airports, customs officials are not on duty 24-hours a day so your itinerary is important information in planning when you will get the carnet validated. Failure to have the carnet stamped upon leaving the U.S. could result in a claim.

If the goods are being shipped (not hand-carried) and you have a deadline to meet, be sure to coordinate closely with your shipping company or freight forwarder.

Where are the goods departing from?

Although customs procedures are supposed to be consistent at each port in the U.S., there are some differences that may affect the processing of a carnet. If we know your travel path as you depart the U.S. with hand-carried goods, including your last port of exit, we can help ensure that the carnet validation goes smoothly.

If the goods are being shipped, knowing which port they are being exported from can also prevent unnecessary delays due to differences in port procedures. Freight forwarders are generally knowledgeable about port procedures however some air freight shipping company employees may not be experienced with ATA Carnets. In this instance, you may need to provide detailed instructions to the shipping company.