Agricultural, Perishable and Imported Items

You may carry both edible and non-edible agricultural and/or perishable items in your carry-on, as long as they comply with the restrictions for transiting airport security and for your destination.

Prohibited or restricted items may include:

• Fresh or frozen food, including fruits and vegetables
• Meats, fish, poultry or baking products
• Flowers, plants, seeds or soil of varying sorts, including cut flowers, floral displays and vegetable plants
• Products made from animal or plant materials
• Biological materials

We allow the importation of certain merchandise when accompanied by an ATA Carnet document, opens in a new window, a special international customs document used for the temporary duty-free importation of certain merchandise, whether accompanied or not, into participating countries for one year.

Customs officials in over 75 participating countries accept the Carnet, opens in a new window as a guarantee that all customs duties and excise tax will be paid if any of the items covered are not re-exported within the time period allowed. Carnets do not cover consumable goods, disposable items or postal traffic. Special TECRO/AIT Carnets allow for the duty-free entry of commercial samples and professional equipment into Taipei.

The ATA Carnet convention provides for the following categories of goods:

• Commercial samples — any item temporarily imported solely for the purpose of being shown or demonstrated for the purpose of solicitation of those items.
• Professional equipment — any equipment necessary to perform a job. This includes, but is not limited to, equipment for the press or television, advertising, cinematographer, testing or repair of machinery, tools or sporting goods, engineering, construction, surgical, electrical, archaeological, musical, or entertainment.
• Exhibitions fairs — This includes, but is not limited to, a trade, agricultural or crafts exhibition, or similar show, an exhibition or meeting primarily organized for a charitable purpose or an exhibition to promote any branch of learning, art, craft, sport, scientific, educational or cultural activity.

To find out if a specific country accepts ATA Carnets or for more information, please contact:

United States Council for International Business
1212 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-354-4480
Fax: 212-944-0012
www.uscib.org, opens in a new window
atacarnet@uscib.org