What is a Carnet?

Carnets are also known as Merchandise Passports or Passports for Goods.

A Carnet or ATA Carnet (pronounced kar-nay) is an international customs and export-import document. It is used to clear customs in 71 countries and territories without paying duties and import taxes on merchandise that will be re-exported within 12 months*.

In the U.S. there are two types of carnets issued: ATA and TECRO/AIT. TECRO/AIT carnets are used for temporary imports in Taiwan which only accepts the TECRO/AIT carnet. ATA Carnets are used for the 71 other countries that are members of the carnet system.

Carnets facilitate temporary imports into foreign countries and re-importation in the U.S. By presenting an ATA Carnet document to foreign customs, you pass import duty free and import tax free into a carnet country for up to one year. ATA Carnets also serve as the U.S. Certificate of Registration (CBP 4455) upon re-importation.

Carnets are often called Merchandise Passports for Boomerang Freight℠ since all goods on a carnet must return to their country of orgination.

The worldwide ATA Carnet system is administered by the International Chamber of Commerce World Chambers Federation.

*All carnet countries have the right to limit the term of incoming carnets to less than 12 months. A few, like China and Mexico, do it as a matter of practice. A Carnet Specialist can advise you on the length of time limitations.

See the carnet document.
See an ATA Carnet in use on our Videos page. Play the Carnet Video titled "Lisbon in Fast Forward."
See a carnet in use on Pep's ATA Carnet Adventure Blog.