Brazil ATA Carnet: Why It Won't Work and What to Do Instead

Brazil Doesn't Accept ATA Carnets — Here's What You Actually Need

If you're planning to travel to Brazil with professional equipment — cameras, broadcast gear, musical instruments, medical devices — and you're wondering whether your ATA Carnet will work there, the short answer is: no, it won't. Brazil stopped accepting ATA Carnets on January 1, 2022, and Brazilian Customs will turn you away at the border.

But there's a clear path forward, and you can still protect your equipment crossing into Brazil through the ATA Carnet system — just not with the Carnet itself.

What Happened With Brazil and ATA Carnets?

Brazil joined the international ATA Carnet system in 2016 for the Rio Olympics. It worked well — hundreds of millions of dollars worth of film equipment, trade show goods, and professional gear passed through Brazilian customs cleanly for five years.

Then Brazil's national guaranteeing association (NGA), the Confederação Nacional da Indústria (CNI), let its mandate expire. Without an NGA — the entity responsible for guaranteeing customs duties in case of non-compliance — Brazil could no longer participate in the ATA Carnet treaty. As of January 1, 2022, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) confirmed: Brazil will not issue or accept ATA Carnets.

⚠️ Important: Even if Brazil appears on your green Carnet cover, do not present it to Brazilian Customs. It will be rejected.

So What Do You Need? A TIB.

For US-based travelers heading to Brazil with professional equipment, the solution is a TIB — Temporary Importation Bond.

A TIB is a customs bond that allows goods to temporarily enter Brazil duty-free, with the guarantee that they will be re-exported within a set timeframe. It covers hand-carry items, accompanying baggage, and cargo shipments.

TIBs for Brazil travel are handled directly through the ATA Carnet system via Boomerang Carnets:

📞 Boomerang Carnets HelpLine: (800) ATA-2900 / (800) 282-2900 📧 Email: info@atacarnet.com 🌐 Website: atacarnet.com/Brazil-ATA-Carnet-Operation

What If My Trip Includes Brazil and Other Countries?

If your itinerary includes Brazil plus carnet-accepting countries — the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, and 85+ others — your ATA Carnet handles every leg except Brazilian customs entry. You get one Carnet for the full trip, and use the TIB specifically for Brazil.

Ready to Get Started?

EasyCarnet prepares your ATA Carnet for the US export/re-import legs and all non-Brazil countries. For the TIB you'll need for Brazilian entry, contact Boomerang Carnets directly at (800) 282-2900 or atacarnet.com.