Carnets are typically limited to six months from the date of importation. If a longer period of time is required, and to avoid penalties, request an extension or re-export the goods prior to the six-month time limit.
Professional equipment excluded (based on Article 1.3 of Annex B2 of the Istanbul Convention) include:
equipment which is to be used for the industrial manufacture or packaging of goods. Such exclusion does not affect, for example, equipment necessary for the assembly of a machine or plant which is imported disassembled for convenience of transport.
equipment which is to be used for the exploitation of natural resources except for hand tools for which temporary admission has to be granted.
equipment which is to be used for the construction, repair or maintenance of buildings, except for hand tools for which temporary admission has to be granted.
equipment which is to be used for earth-moving and like projects, except for hand tools for which temporary admission has to be granted. The term "like projects” covers projects normally known as public works such as the construction, repair or maintenance of dams, gasworks, waterworks, bridges, harbours, roads, canals or tunnels.
Equipment ALLOWED under ATA Carnets are:
1) Equipment necessary for the assembly of a machine or plant, which are usually taken apart for ease of shipping or transportation.
2) Hand tools, e.g., drilling equipment for geophysical prospection for oil.