1) Is a Carnet a legal requirement?
No, there are other ways you can import goods temporarily into a foreign
country. These may involve using overseas agents, lodging a cash bond with foreign Customs, or Bank Guarantees. These other processes can be expensive and would take a much longer time at both import and re-export than when using a Carnet.
2) Can I add items to, or remove items from a Carnet?
Once a Carnet has been issued, you cannot add items to the list.
However, you do not have to take every item that is on your list. It is
important that you let Customs know which item numbers you do have if you are not taking every item on your list. You must not, however, cross through or delete items on your list.
3) For how long can my goods remain in a foreign country?
A Carnet is valid for one year. However, foreign Customs will sometimes set a time limit for the re-export of goods, and this must be strictly adhered to. In all cases, the goods must be stamped back into the EU by the expiry date of the Carnet. If a Carnet is used after a set time limit, or after the expiry of the document itself, duties, taxes and / or other penalties will become applicable.
4) Can I sell items off of a Carnet?
A Carnet is strictly for temporary import into a foreign country, however
foreign Customs may sometimes grant permission for items to be sold. Once permission has been granted, any duty or taxes that are applicable must be paid to the foreign Customs authority. You must obtain a Duty Paid Receipt, preferably in English. You must ensure that the Customs Officer enters the Carnet number on the Duty Paid Receipt. The F8 (re-export) counterfoil must also be completed, and the Customs Officer must note on it that the goods have been sold, duty has been paid, and enter the Duty Paid Receipt number on the counterfoil. The Carnet and the Duty Paid Receipt must be returned to us.
5) What happens if goods remain in a foreign country for a different reason - for example they have been stolen or lost?
Foreign Customs are entitled to levy duty and taxes if goods remain in their country, no matter what the reason. If your goods are stolen you must obtain a copy of the police report and return it to us with the Carnet.
6) Can I make a split re-export - in other words, can I return some goods to the EU, leaving some behind in a foreign country to be returned at a later date?
This is possible, but you must advise us when the Carnet is being applied for that that is what you wish to do, because you will need an extra set of vouchers in the Carnet. The goods which are coming back first will be re-exported from the foreign country and re-imported to the EU with the Carnet in the usual way. The Carnet must then be sent back out to the foreign country so that it can be used to bring back the remaining goods. Enough time must be left between the first and second lot of goods returning to get the Carnet back to the foreign country.
7) Once a Carnet has been issued can I make additional trips to those that the Carnet has already been applied for?
Yes, but you will need to have extra vouchers issued, for which the Chamber of Commerce will charge the issuing fee again.
8) Does it matter if I do not make all the trips that I originally applied for?
No - a Carnet can be returned with unused vouchers in it.
9) Can I start my trip from an EU country other than the UK?
If the goods belong in the UK, but happen to be in another EU country at the time that you want the Carnet, we can issue a Carnet for you. However, you must check first that the Customs in the EU country will certify the front cover of the Carnet. If they refuse to do this, the goods must be brought back to the UK and started off with the Carnet from here.