A Carnet is an international customs document that provides duty-free customs clearance for temporary imports into foreign countries and can simplify entry by eliminating the need to post a Temporary Import Bond. Recognized in over 75 countries and territories, virtually all goods, whether hand-carried or cargo-shipped, may be covered by Carnets.
The Carnet not only reduces cost, it also acts as a United States registration of goods and is valid on multiple trips for up to one year in most cases. Carnets should only include goods that are to be re-exported to the country of origin.
Carnets save time, effort, and money and because the Carnet is valid for up to one year, users can travel to as many Carnet member countries as necessary during that period. In addition, partial and split shipments can be made. You don’t have to take all of the merchandise listed on your General List on each trip, so one Carnet can cover the needs of several trips for different purposes.
Carnets cover a broad range of merchandise. There are no surprises. Carnet fees are paid prior to your departure so you know what the cost will be before you leave.
Commercial Samples – Commercial Samples include any and all items which are temporarily imported for the purpose of demonstration or for the solicitation of orders. Examples might include a heart monitor system, pipes and fittings, or goods to be exhibited at a foreign trade show.
Professional Equipment – This category is typically "tools of the trade” and includes equipment or goods needed to work while in a foreign country. Examples include equipment for the press or for television; engineering, electrical, surgical, entertainment and sporting equipment.
Exhibitions and Fairs – This category includes trade, industrial, agricultural or craft exhibitions as well as fairs, exhibitions for a charitable purpose or to promote learning, crafts, scientific or cultural activity, or religious knowledge or worship. Carnets issued for this category do not include exhibits on ships for the purpose of selling goods.
We can issue a Carnet for you or your client.
According to U.S. Customs Chief Inspector, Mario R. Cornejo, U.S. Customs can – and – will – seize domestic goods if they don’t adequately match the general list (created from the Commercial Invoice/Packing List). Even if your goods make it through U.S. Customs, foreign customs won’t be as forgiving since they are watching all goods entering their respective countries very closely. Cornejo emphasizes that the General List must include adequate descriptions with serial numbers whenever possible. Because the Carnet is a "goods-specific” document (goods may never be substituted), the holder must be able to prove that the goods being presented are the goods on the list. This is especially important in the event that there is a claim from foreign customs and the holder needs to prove that the goods are back in the U.S.
Just as important is the value placed on the goods which must be market value. Believing that you can save money on a Carnet by undervaluing the goods is a mistake that carries with it the risk of having your goods seized in a foreign country. Customs inspectors are looking for discrepancies in values since undervalued goods can result in a revenue loss to their country. Travelers who thought they were cutting costs have learned the hard way that the cost of getting their goods back often far exceeds any additional application or security fees had the General List been correctly valued from the beginning.
