How to Avoid Duties at Trade Shows With an ATA Carnet

How to Avoid Duties at Trade Shows With an ATA Carnet

Exhibiting abroad? An ATA Carnet is the simplest way to avoid duties at trade shows on your booth, samples, and demo equipment.

👉 Quick Summary

When you bring trade show gear into another country, customs can charge import duties and VAT on everything you bring, even though it's all coming home. An ATA Carnet lets you avoid duties at trade shows by temporarily importing your goods duty-free and tax-free (CBP). Learn more about trade show carnets.

One carnet covers your booth, displays, samples, and equipment in 90+ countries, for unlimited trips over one year. No deposits, no surprise bills at the border.

What You Pay Without a Carnet

Without a carnet, customs can treat your trade show goods like a regular import. That can mean import duties plus VAT, which runs around 19–20% in countries like Germany and France. Some countries also ask for a cash deposit or bond at the border. With tariffs on many U.S. goods now in the 10–25% range or higher, the bill adds up fast.

What an ATA Carnet Covers at Trade Shows

To avoid duties at trade shows, list everything you're bringing in and taking home on your carnet:

• Booths, displays, banners, and signage
• Product samples you'll show but not sell
• Demo equipment, laptops, screens, and AV gear
• Tools you need to set up and break down your booth

One carnet can cover a full show circuit, like Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands (EasyCarnet).

What a Carnet Doesn't Cover

A carnet only works for goods that come back. Leave these off your carnet and plan to clear them through customs separately:

• Giveaways, brochures, and promotional handouts
• Food, drinks, and other consumables
• Any items you plan to sell or leave behind

If you sell or give away an item listed on your carnet, the country can claim up to 110% of the duties and taxes owed (CBP).

Exhibiting in Europe? The EU Counts as One

The EU is one customs territory, so you get stamped in when you enter and out when you leave, no matter how many EU shows you hit in between (EasyCarnet). The UK, Switzerland, and Norway are separate, so each one uses its own counterfoils.

How to Avoid Duties at Trade Shows, Step by Step

1. Apply 2–4 weeks before the show. Standard processing takes 5–10 business days, with Rush and Same-Day available (Pricing).
2. List every item with a description, serial number, and value.
3. Check for country-specific steps, like Mexico's pre-registration.
4. Get your carnet stamped when you leave the U.S., enter and leave each country, and return home.
5. Bring everything back before your carnet expires.

Planning a trade show trip and not sure what to list? Reach out before you apply and we'll help you avoid duties at trade shows from setup to teardown (support@easycarnet.com).