Montenegro Joins ATA Carnet System for Duty-Free Imports

Published on December 2, 2008

New York, N.Y., December 2, 2008 – Beginning this month, the European nation of Montenegro has begun accepting ATA Carnets, waiving duties and taxes on a variety of goods entering the country temporarily. It is the 66th country to join the unique system to facilitate trade and business travel, according to the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which administers the ATA Carnet system in the United States.

“Montenegro’s decision to accept Carnets further solidifies their use in southeastern Europe,” according to Cynthia Duncan, USCIB’s senior vice president for Carnet operations. “Among the nations of former Yugoslavia, only Bosnia and Kosovo remain outside the system.”

ATA Carnets (“ATA” is a combination of the French and English abbreviations for “temporary admission.”) are internationally recognized customs documents for temporary duty-free, tax-free import of commercial samples, professional equipment and goods displayed at trade shows. Companies find the “merchandise passports” essential for reducing costs and speeding global operations.

Ms. Duncan said Montenegrin industries of interest to U.S. importers and exporters included synthetic cloth and industrial textiles, footwear, lumber, telecommunications equipment, steel mill products, and photographic and optical equipment.

Since gaining independence in 2006, Montenegro has embarked on an economic reform and privatization drive that has led to strong economic growth, which exceeded seven percent last year. The country is also a candidate for membership in the European Union.

Carnets are honored in over 80 customs territories, including all EU members, and can be used for multiple trips during a one-year period. The global ATA Carnet system is overseen by the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce. USCIB administers the Carnet system in the United States, working with service providers Roanoke Trade Services, Inc., and the Corporation for International Business.

In 2007, over 155,000 ATA Carnets were issued worldwide, covering goods valued at almost $12 billion. The system is growing, with Ukraine and Pakistan among the most recent additions. China recently marked its tenth anniversary in the system. See related story.

USCIB promotes an open system of world commerce. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, including ICC, it provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide. USCIB facilitates international trade by issuing and guaranteeing ATA Carnets, by promoting international cooperation in such areas as customs policies and commercial dispute resolution, and through its ICC Books USA unit, which publishes a variety of publications on to international trade and investment.

Contact:
Cynthia Duncan, SVP Carnet Operations, USCIB
(212) 703-5079 or cduncan@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s ATA Carnet Export Service

Ukraine to Accept Duty-Free Imports

Published on February 28, 2008

New York, N.Y., February 28, 2008 – Ukraine will become the latest country to join the ATA Carnet system, which permits the temporary importation of various types of goods without duties or taxes, as of March 1. Known as “merchandise passports,” ATA Carnets are an increasingly important tool for businesses engaged in international commerce.

Coupled with the country’s recent agreement to accede to the World Trade Organization, Ukraine’s entry into the Carnet system is a strong signal that the country is committed to promoting economic growth and openness, and to becoming a major European hub for trade, according to the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which administers the Carnet system in the United States.

“Extension of the Carnet network into the former Soviet bloc nations is a major priority for the worldwide system and particularly for our European counterparts ,” said Cynthia Duncan, USCIB’s senior vice president for Carnet operations. “This will increase access to the Ukrainian market and further meet the demands of U.S. exporters with an interest in the region.”

ATA Carnets are internationally recognized customs documents for temporary duty-free, tax-free import of commercial samples, professional equipment and goods displayed at trade shows. They are essential for companies seeking to reduce costs and speed global operations. (The acronym “ATA” is a combination of the French and English abbreviations for “temporary admission.”)

Ukraine will waive import duties on professional equipment, goods for exhibitions and fairs, and commercial samples. ATA Carnets will be accepted for transit operations and postal traffic, but not unaccompanied goods. ATA Carnets will be guaranteed by the Ukrainian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Carnets are honored in over 80 customs territories and can be used for multiple trips during a one-year period. The global ATA Carnet system is overseen by the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce. USCIB administers the Carnet system in the United States, working with service providers Roanoke Trade Services, Inc., and the Corporation for International Business.

In 2007, over 155,000 Carnets were issued worldwide, covering goods valued at almost 12 billion dollars. Before Ukraine, Pakistan was the most recent addition to the family of nations accepting ATA Carnets, having joined the system in October.

Contact:

Cynthia Duncan, SVP Carnet Operations, USCIB

(212) 703-5079 or cduncan@uscib.org

More on USCIB’s ATA Carnet Export Service

Ukranian Chamber of Commerce and Industry website

Bahrain Set to Accept Merchandise Passports

Modified on December 28, 2015

On June 1, Bahrain will begin accepting ATA Carnets, the international customs documents that allow goods to enter signatory countries and their territories tax- and duty-free for up to one year. The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) administers the Carnet system in the United States.

The United States has a strong trade relationship with Bahrain, which was cemented in 2006 with the signing of the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement. “Though the FTA has nurtured the relationship between Bahrain and the United States, there is still room for additional growth, and the ATA Carnet will only encourage that growth,” according to Cynthia Duncan, USCIB’s senior vice president for trade services.

Though the FTA eliminated most customs duties between the two countries, it did not prevent the imposition of import taxes on U.S. goods entering Bahrain. As of June 1, the ATA Carnet will allow for both duty- and tax-free import and export for goods traveling on a temporary basis, from another ATA Carnet member country, for trade shows and exhibitions. Once orders are secured with the help of the ATA Carnet, these same exporters can then take advantage of the FTA incentives when the product is sent.

Since the signing of the U.S.-Bahrain FTA, bilateral trade has increased to more than $1.6 billion, as this agreement has allowed U.S. suppliers to be price-competitive in the region. Companies such as Harley-Davidson have eagerly taken advantage of new export opportunities under the FTA. The FTA has also created new opportunities for U.S. financial services, since Bahrain is a financial hub in the Middle East.

The two way trade of goods between the United States and Bahrain makes Bahrain one of our largest trading partners at $1.9 billion. The export of US goods in 2012 totaled $1.2 billion, giving the US a trade surplus with Bahrain of $508 million. “ATA Carnet implementation will only help continue to grow our trade relationship and specifically our exports to Bahrain,” said Duncan.

Staff Contact: Elizabeth Cafaro, USCIB

(212)703-5087 or ECafaro@USCIB.org

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