Back to school, back to business: Get your ATA Carnet ready for exhibition season
The summer has drawn to a close, our team have dusted the sand off their toes and many of our ATA Carnet customers have returned from a busy festival or music touring season. So, what’s next in the calendar?
September isn’t just about getting the lunchboxes packed and the kids back to school - it’s also the kick-off for exhibition season. And just like the first day of school, success is all about preparation. That means making sure your ATA Carnet is ready to go before you hit the road (or the skies).
Making an exhibition of yourself (for all the right reasons!)
Well, let’s hope that isn’t what you did on your first day at school, but with exhibition season soon to be upon us, now is the time to make plans and get your paperwork in place. Whether you are taking display stands, AV equipment, commercial samples or a coffee machine, if these items are returning to the UK from a temporary trip overseas, then an ATA Carnet could be the way forward.
The top things to remember are: -
- Apply for your Carnet in good time: If you are travelling to an exhibition, make sure you apply at least two to three weeks before your trip, so it arrives in good time.
- Get your general list right: A Carnet is an official customs document, so you need to be compliant to use it. The general list is an important part of this, and every item on it needs to be listed accurately. Refer to our general list guides for tips.
- Promotional/consumable items can’t be included on your Carnet: Most exhibition stands will have giveaway promotional items such as pens, sweets, or brochures. These are classed as “consumables” because they are unlikely to return to the UK. Only items that are returning in the same state should be listed on your Carnet general list. If you want to use promotional items on your exhibition stand, consider sourcing promotional items from local suppliers or liaising with the exhibition organisers.
- Check that the destination countries are on the Carnet scheme: There are over 80 countries on the ATA Carnet scheme. In addition, some countries will also not accept the category “goods for use at international trade fairs”. If you need advice on this, then contact the carnet team.
- Get a Security Guarantee: Every Carnet issued must have a Security Guarantee in place to cover any claims received against the Carnet if it is used incorrectly. If you want to check what the guarantee would cost for your trip, then our helpful Carnet quote calculator can be found on our website.
- Remember, what leaves must return: As every school child knows, selling sweets to your classmates is all part of the fun. But with a Carnet, this is definitely not allowed. All the goods listed on the Carnet MUST return, or customs will impose fines when you leave the country.
Homeward bound?
- Don’t forget to get your Carnet stamped by Customs correctly when you leave your overseas destination and on return to the UK.
- When you have finished using your Carnet, send it back to Business West at the address stamped on the back cover. Don’t put it in the bin! The Carnet is your record that all the goods that went out, have come back. Check out our helpful video on how to use your Carnet.
If you need any advice, then our expert Carnet team are on hand. Just call them on 01275 373373 or email them.