The A.T.A. Carnet: simplified customs procedures for promotion materials - Temporary Admission "visa" for business samples and equipment

U.S. businesspersons accustomed to traveling outside the United States readily understand the usefulness of a U.S. passport and accompanying visas to facilitate entry and travel through foreign countries. However, not uncommonly, U.S. business travelers are less familiar with the use and benefits of the A.T.A. Carnet (pronounced karnay), a document which, in a sense, is analogous to a passport and visa system simplifying the personal transport of certain types of goods into various countries on a temporary basis.

Q. What is an A.T.A. Carnet?

A. The A.T.A. Carnet is a standardized international customs document used to obtain dutyfree temporary admission of certain goods into the territories of those nations that have signed an international agreement for that purpose. The A.T.A. documentation accompanying the goods bypasses the time-consuming task of filing numerous customs documents otherwise required by each of the individual A.T.A. member countries into which the goods are temporarily imported. The carnet also provides a financial guarantee to foreign customs officials that, in the event the goods which have been temporarily admitted are not reexported, import duties will bepaid.

Q. What kinds of goods are applicable'?

A. U.S. commercial travelers may use the A.T.A. Carnet for transporting commercial samples, tools of the trade, advertising material, or cinematographic, audio-visual, medical, scientic, or other professional equipment. enti

Q. What countries accept A.T.A. Carnets?

A. In 1968 the United States signed an international convention (Customs Convention on the A.T.A. Carnet for the temporary admission of goods, known as the A.T.A. Convention) intended to reduce the burdensome customs paperwork confronting the commercial traveler. (The term A.T.A. is an acronym for the descriptive title as written in French "Admission Temporaire" and English "Temporary Admission," respectively.) At this time the following countries use carnets: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Yugoslavia.

The number of countries joining the A.T.A. Carnet system has continued to grow since l96l when the A.T.A. Convention came into force. Singapore and Korea, noted above, are recent additions.

Q. Who issues A.T.A. Carnets?

A. In each member country, an organization affiliated with the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce is designated to issue and guarantee carnets to applicants who are residents of that country. In the United States, that function is performed by the U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce. Applicants must post a bond, letter of credit, or bank guarantee equivalent to 40 percent of the value of the goods to be transported as assurance of payment of customs duties in the event the applicant fails to reexport the goods from a country listed on the carnet. Also, a fee is charged, varying with the value of the goods covered.

Q. How long is the A.T.A. Carnet valid?

A. The carnet is valid for one year, during which the businessperson may make as many trips as desired. Also, if the goods listed on the carnet are returned within the United States within the one-year period, the carnet serves as the customs control document and no entry or duty payments will be applied.

Q. May different goods be substituted?

A. It is important that all of the items to be transported under coverage of the carnet be clearly identified. Once the carnet has been issued, different goods may not be added or substituted.

Q. How do customs officials use the A.T.A. Carnet?

A. The carnet is a multisheet document comprised of a series of vouchers identifying the goods and the countries into which they will be imported. When departing from the United States, the businessperson must present the carnet to a U.S. Customs Service Officer to certify that the list is accurate and complete. The Customs Service will detach and retain one of the yellow vouchers until the goods are returned to the United States. Subsequently, upon each entry and departure from the countries visited, vouchers are detached by foreign customs officials until, finally, the goods return to the United States. Each separate voucher is attached to its own perforated stub (counter foil) which remains in the green A.T.A. Carnet holder. The stub is stamped and signed by the foreign customs officials at the times when the businessperson enters and de arts the country.

It is the responsibility of the U.S. businessperson holding the carnet to present the carnet to the customs authorities when entering or leaving a country in order that the necessary verification and notations on vouchers and stubs can take place.

Q. What happens if the goods are not returned to the United States?

A. If the businessperson holding the carnet sells, donates, or otherwise disposes of any of the goods listed, the local customs authorities of the country where the disposition transpired may impose all duties and taxes applicable to the importation of those items. Similarly, the customs authorities may also hold the businessperson's issuing and guarantee authority liable for payment.

Summary

The A.T.A. Carnet system offers the U.S. business traveler a convenient and expedient means of cutting through customs red tape when carrying professional equipment abroad or transporting samples or promotional and exhibit materials when pursuing sales in foreign markets. Think of it as a passport and visa system for your goods and integrate the application process into your travel plans.

For additional ijnformation, contact: U.S. Customs Service, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, D.C. 20229, Attn: International Operations Division; tel. (212) 566-5303. A second contact: U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036; tel. (212) 354-4480.

COPYRIGHT 1988 U.S. Government Printing Office
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group