I thought I had already posted this, but I guess I spaced it. I wrote is a few weeks ago.
Of course now that I am back from the Biennale and the information is of no current use to me, I have found out what those temporary importation licenses are called; Tawera Tahuri of New Zealand told me this thing is called a Carnet. I Googled “carnet” and bingo up pops the USCIS website which is where US folks would apply for one. Most of the following is copied from the USCIS website.
CAVEAT: I have not ever obtained a Carnet so there may be nuances I am missing. For example, I recall the EPS wanted artists using them to ship to the Biennale to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) in our given name to use in their shipping process somehow-my guess is that it may be necessary somewhere…
Moving along…
“Carnets are “Merchandise Passports.” They are international customs documents that simplify customs procedures for the temporary importation of various types of goods. In the US two types are issued: ATA and TECRO/AIT Carnets. “
- “ATA Carnets ease the temporary importation of commercial samples (CS), professional equipment (PE), and goods for exhibitions and fairs (EF). They facilitate international business by avoiding extensive customs procedures, eliminating payment of duties and value-added taxes (minimum 20% in Europe, 27% in China), and replacing the purchase of temporary import bonds.” This would have been the one desired for shipping to Italy via FedEx etc.
- “TECRO/AIT Carnets, used between the U.S. and Taiwan only, appear similar to, and serve the same function as the ATA Carnet. TECRO/AIT Carnets result from a bilateral agreement between the US and Taiwan, covering only commercial samples (CS), and professional equipment (PE). Merchandise entering countries in addition to Taiwan may also be accompanied by an ATA Carnet.”
Benefits of a Carnet:
- “Carnets are valid for one year,
- “Are accepted in over 75 countries and territories-see list below,
- “Eliminate value-added taxes (VAT), duties, and the posting of security normally required at the time of importation,
- “Simplify customs procedures.
- “Carnets allow a temporary exporter to use a single document for all customs transactions, make arrangements in advance, and at a predetermined cost,
- “Facilitate reentry into the US (and presumably other countries of origin) by eliminating the need to register the goods with US Customs (and presumably other countries of origin) at the time of departure.
“CARNETS DO NOT EXEMPT HOLDERS FROM OBTAINING NECESSARY LICENSES OR PERMITS.
“Merchandise Covered by Carnets: Virtually all goods, including commercial samples, professional equipment, and items for trade shows and exhibitions, including display booths, ordinary goods such as computers, tools, cameras and video equipment, industrial machinery, automobiles, gems and jewelry, and wearing apparel, extraordinary items, for example, Van Gogh Self-portrait, Ringling Brothers tigers, Cessna jets, Paul McCartney’s band instruments, World Cup class yachts, satellites, human skulls, and the New York Philharmonic.” We artists moving sculpture and other artwork around fall into this extraordinary category. “Carnets DO NOT cover: consumable or disposable goods (e.g., food and agriculture products) giveaways, or postal traffic.
The List of Carnet Countries (as of December 30, 2009) on the USCIB website: Algeria, Andorra, Aruba , Australia, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belarus, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Ceuta, Chile, China, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, French Guiana, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle Of Man, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jersey, Korea , Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Melilla, Miquelon, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Senegal , Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, French Side, St. Pierre, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tahiti , Taiwan*, Tasmania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Wallis & Futuna Island
(Wow – I have never even heard of some of these places)
There are three basic components to the Carnet application process:
- General list
- Carnet application, and
- Security deposit.
Basic processing fees are determined by the value of a shipment. In the US fees range from $210-$350 and the normal processing time is about two working days… Payment usually can be made in the form of a check, money order, or credit card… In the US as the National Guaranteeing Association, USCIB (United States Council for International Business) is required to take security, usually 40% of shipment value, to cover any customs claim that might result from a misused Carnet. Acceptable forms of security are certified check or surety bond. Cash deposits are returned in full and surety bonds are terminated upon Carnet cancellation.
So if you get a Carnet, presumably you can use whatever shipper you desire, but I still would go with one that ships between your country and Italy so you have no issues dealing with getting your stuff shipped back home.
I really would have like to have had this information – I dunno – back in September perhaps? But I am getting more and more educated in international shipping.
Thanks to Tawera Tahuri of New Zealand for the clue.
If you have further knowledge of international shipping of art please share it with us all.
Yours in art,
Jake
Artist, AKAJake.com Come Experience the Art!
PS. I am still looking for Sponsors & Contributing Patrons to help me pay the $7651.31 I charged to attend this event; this amount is the sum all the receipts I can find relating to the trip-about $4,000 is the Biennale artist’s share, then hotel & airfare, plus packaging for my art, taxis, meals in Italy, postage and other incidental expenses. I have raised about $2079 in donations-many thanks to those who have contributed to this event. But I need more assistance and every little bit helps.
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