WHAT IS A CARNET AND DO YOU NEED ONE?
International travel can be intimidating, even more so if it’s your first time out of the country. Band and crew rely on you for guidance every step of the way, and carrying a bunch of gear adds a fair amount of time and effort to everything you do. If implemented correctly, however, carrying a carnet to document your gear can reduce some of your travel-related stress.
If you’re like me the first time I toured out of the country, you’re wondering what exactly a carnet is. In simple terms, a carnet is a list of all the gear you’re traveling with. The point of a carnet is to provide proof to other countries that what you’re bringing into the country you’ll also carry out when you leave. This proves to them that everything is for professional use, and you’re not selling anything you’re bringing in. Bottom line, if you bring in goods for sale they want their sales tax when you leave. So the carnet is proof to the customs agents that you aren’t selling anything you brought with you.
When touring internationally but still hand carrying your gear, as opposed to shipping it via cargo, the necessity of a carnet is a topic of debate. Many people don’t like to spend the money on one. Some production and tour managers don’t feel its important and don't bother obtaining one. Others feel they are crucial to a seamless tour, and will not leave the country without one.
After numerous trips around the world, stopping at customs every step of the way, I firmly believe in “don’t leave home without it”. You may get lucky and gain entry into a country with a few carts of gear and not so much as a second look from the customs agents. But the first time your gear isn’t allowed in the country, you’ve just created a whole lot of trouble for yourself and the promoter of your shows. There is a real chance of missing shows if you don’t have proper documentation. Or perhaps you’ll gain entry to the country, but have issues when you depart. Maybe even be held up at US customs upon arrival back home.
There are some considerations to help you decide whether to get a carnet or not. A primary consideration is the amount of gear you’ll be flying with. A few pieces may not be a cause for concern. But when the number of cases you’re carrying gets into double digits, resulting in multiple luggage carts full of gear, its time to make it official.
Another thing to consider is what country (or countries) you’ll be visiting. Some countries in Europe for example, aren’t very strict. But arriving in certain Asian countries can be an unpleasant experience if you’re not organized and well prepared. I recently had multiple promoters from Asia request our carnet list well before we left the US for a tour. It was being used as part of our clearance into the country when applying for our travel visas. Proof that traveling without a carnet in some countries is not an option.
If you’re considering a carnet, but still not sure if you need one for an upcoming tour, I suggest asking your cartage vendor for their opinion. They have lots of experience, and a large network around the world to answer questions about the customs process in the countries you’ll be visiting on your tour.
If you have yet to start a relationship with a cartage vendor, I suggest choosing one that has experience specifically with touring bands and live productions. These companies are familiar with not only the unique schedules and demands of a tour but also the extra care required when moving fragile production equipment. There are many to choose from: Shockwave, EFM, Sound Moves, Rock-it Cargo, and ACES are all reputable options.
Although it may seem intimidating at first, international touring can be fairly painless. As long as you do your homework and prepare well in advance, it can be a pleasant experience and great addition to your resume.
Check back in for blog 2 of 3 in this series on carnets, which details how to create a roadworthy carnet.