What is a Carnet and Do You Need One?

Filmmaking can lead to amazing experiences, but what happens when your project requires travel outside the country? That’s where carnets come in. Carnets act like “a passport for your gear.” If you travel internationally with expensive equipment, these documents can spare you hours of stress and keep your production rolling along.

In simple terms, a carnet is a detailed list of all the gear you travel with. The point of a carnet is to provide proof to other countries that what you bring in and what you take out when you leave. This proves to a country’s customs officials that everything you have is for professional use and that you are not selling anything you bring in.

A Quick History Lesson

The ATA Carnet (where “ATA” stands for “Admission Temporaire / Temporary Admission”) got its start back in 1961 as a way to simplify global trade. The ATA Carnet Convention was adopted by various countries to boost world trade by making temporary imports easier and duty-free. In the early 1960s, it started rolling out in places like France, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, and Czechoslovakia. Today, it has expanded to over 90 countries worldwide. The idea was (and still is) to cut red tape for professionals, ensuring gear crosses borders temporarily without getting slapped with taxes or suspicions of resale.

How a Carnet Works

• U.S. Customs signs it when you leave.
• The destination country signs it on entry and again when you leave.
• U.S. Customs signs it again when you return.

When Do You Need a Carnet?

Deciding whether to get a carnet usually depends on the amount of gear you will fly with. A few pieces of equipment (like a DSLR, lenses, and a tripod) may not cause concern. But when the number of cases you carry results in multiple luggage carts full of gear, it’s time to make it official.

Also consider what country (or countries) you will visit. Canada and Mexico fully participate in the ATA Carnet system and accept them for professional video gear. However, some countries in Europe are not very strict or do not require carnets at all. But certain Asian countries, like China and Japan, have very strict customs, and it can be an unpleasant experience if you are not organized and well prepared. Do your research ahead of time.

Preparing a Carnet

Preparing a carnet is tedious and time-consuming, so you need to budget proper time. Create a detailed inventory a couple of weeks before your trip, listing every individual piece of gear with its serial number, country of origin (where it was manufactured), value, and weight. Smaller bits without serial numbers can be grouped, such as grip items. Consumables, like batteries and gaff tape, do not need to be listed.

The price you pay to obtain a carnet depends on the total value of all the gear listed. Be honest when listing the value of the items. This is not the place to brag about how much all of your gear is worth. No need to pay a higher price for a carnet that could have easily been valued lower.

Consider using a carnet specialist company to handle the paperwork. This saves you an enormous headache and, crucially, time. Easy Carnet and Boomerang Carnets are reputable vendors that work quickly and can meet tight production schedules.

Customs Process Beforehand

You usually need to visit your local customs office (not the airport) before your trip. They stamp your carnet and might check some gear. Without that first stamp, it will not work abroad.

Alternatively, you can go to customs at the airport, but it involves a process: Head to the exit for arrivals and find a security guard. Tell them you need to access customs for a carnet. In places like New York City, they will walk you through the exit door to customs.

Costs and Validity

There is a cost to creating a carnet, including issuing fees, a surety bond (typically 3% of the gear’s value), and shipping or rush fees. These can add up, with totals ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per carnet depending on the declared value. On the positive side, a carnet is valid for one year, so you can use it multiple times for better value.

Why It’s Worth It

We have used carnets on shoots across multiple countries, and every time, it has been worth it. When stopped and questioned, handing over a signed, certified carnet immediately shows that you know what you are doing and respect their rules and customs practices. That goes a long way.

Do not skip the carnet; build the cost into your quote. It is one of the smartest investments you can make to avoid costly travel delays and keep your shoot on schedule, rather than detained in customs. And here at Movie Mogul we can help you navigate the logistics of production and set up your carnets for you.