U.S. exporters took out more ATA Carnets last year than in any other year on record, according to USCIB Vice President for Carnet Operations Cindy Duncan. Use of the “merchandise passports” – which enable temporary export of various categories of goods, duty-free and tax-free – soared to over 14,000 for the first time ever.

“Carnets both predict and reflect increased commercial activity abroad,” said Ms. Duncan. “The fact that we had a record year is good news for future U.S. exports, and shows how much things have turned up since the earlier economic slump.”

Leading the way in Carnet usage were exporters in the automotive, TV broadcast and production, and communications equipment industries. Test and measurement equipment, aerospace, power generation and information technologies also contributed strongly to the record year.

Ms. Duncan added that the U.S. dollar’s slide probably contributed to growth in the ATA Carnet business by making U.S. products more competitive in the international marketplace.

Accepted in some 75 countries around the world, Carnets are internationally recognized customs documents for temporary duty-free import of commercial samples, professional equipment and goods displayed at trade shows. Companies around the world use them to reduce costs and speed global operations.

The global Carnet system is overseen by the International Chamber of Commerce. USCIB administers the ATA Carnet system in the United States, working with its Carnet service providers, Roanoke Trade Services, Inc. and the Corporation for International Business.

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