What is a carnet?
The ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that a traveler may use to temporarily import certain goods into a country without having to engage in the Customs formalities usually required for the importation of goods, and without having to pay duty or value-added taxes on the goods. The U.S. allows for the temporary importation of commercial samples, professional equipment and certain advertising materials by a nonresident individual. “ATA” stands for the combined French and English words “Admission Temporaire-Temporary Admission.”