Temporary Import Options & the ATA Carnet Savings Advantage

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You may be temporarily importing a display booth for a robotics trade event in the Philippines and you want to do that as affordably as possible, or a contractor with a project in Mexico that requires taking heavy equipment and need to protect your overhead, or an indie film company on a strict budget taking rented cameras to Singapore for a shoot, or a fashion designer headed to Paris with samples for Fashion Week. No matter what your business or enterprise is, you should know and plan the best option for your temporarily imported merchandise.  
 

Know Before You Go

It is important to understand that all imported equipment, goods, or merchandise that exceeds a minimum value is dutiable and taxable in all countries.  Duty rates can range from 0% to 80%, and import taxes from 0% to 25%, depending on the destination country. 

For example, importing $100,000 worth of equipment into South Korea could incur about $17,900 in import costs, based on a 7.9% duty and 10% VAT.  Customs will not simply “take your word for it” that you will return to your country with all your temporarily imported equipment.  Without using a temporary importation method, those duties and taxes would be due for payment at customs clearance of the equipment, on the spot—even if the equipment is only in the country for a short time. 
 

Your Temporary Import Options

To avoid paying duties and taxes on goods that will return with you, it is your responsibility to choose between several methods for temporary importation:

1. ATA Carnet: A standardized international customs document accepted in 90+ countries and territories that allows you to avoid payment of duties and taxes at Customs. Valid for up to a year, valid for multiple trips.
2. Foreign Temporary Importation Under Bond (TIB): A foreign bond guaranteeing re-export, often requiring collateral.
3. Foreign Customs Broker’s Entry Bond: The broker assumes liability for duties and taxes for a fee.

Once you understand the duties, taxes, and available temporary import methods to choose from, you can gain more control and reduce costs by:

• Taking responsibility for selecting the temporary import method.
• Choosing the method separately from other logistics services.
• Purchasing import documents directly from the authorized issuer to avoid extra handling fees.

If you choose a freight forwarder or customs broker as a one-stop solution to do everything, you can still request a specific method for your boomerang freight, such as an ATA Carnet, for the shipment.  This ensures transparency and helps you to know your method of temporary import costs before departure.
 

The ATA Carnet Advantage—SEE THE SAVINGS

The ATA Carnet is a unified document valid in 90+ countries and territories that simplifies customs clearance, and allows you to avoid payment of duties and taxes at Customs.  ATA Carnets can be obtained from the national guaranteeing association—or its authorized service provider—in each participating country, or through an international freight forwarder.

Boomerang Carnets Provides ATA Carnets in the United States and United Kingdom 

• Our customers rely on our expert knowledge, responsive customer service, and secure, user-friendly online carnet application, designed for efficiency, ease, and optimum security.
• We proudly support clients in the U.S. and U.K. with single-click convenience, proven reliability, and exceptional customer care.
• See the Savings: in 2025, an estimated 223,400 carnet applications were processed worldwide, allowing goods worth billions in USD to clear Customs without payment of duty and tax.
   

We Dramatically Improved User Experience—We are the original!

By understanding your options and selecting the temporary export method that is best for your needs, your business, company, or enterprise can save money, ensure compliance, and avoid costly surprises and delays in international shipping. Smart trade tools like the ATA Carnet allow for more time with customers, less time with customs.
 

It Matters Where You Get Your Carnet

Based on 1,351 Trustpilot reviews we are rated 5 stars – Excellent. 

We provide expert customer service 24/7, just call the Carnet HelpLine® 1-800-ATA-2900 |1-800-282-2900 or email us.  

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