[SML] International travel with ATA CARNET and tools

[Jared Fortney]

Who is saying that the carnet is necessary? According to the Thai
tourism website, the duty free allowance is more than US$2000 for
personal or professional items.
[http://www.tourismthailand.org/About-Thailand/Custom-Immigration]
This should be enough to get basic electronic tools in.

Do you have some sort of working immigration status in Thailand? This
could help make the case that you will be in and out to do some
specific work and not importing items for sale. Even a letter from the
client/employer explaining your travel purpose might help in the event
you need to explain what the tools are for.  I've never been to
Thailand to know how their customs system works, but you could always
take your chances with customs clearance at the airport.  If they
don't want you to bring the tools without a carnet, maybe you can
store them at the airport until you leave again.

If you are taking any electronics of high value with you, you might
consider registering them with US CBP before you leave in order to
ease concerns that you are exceeding your duty free limit on return.

Good luck!

-Jared

On Fri, Apr 22, 2016 at 9:41 AM, Michael Sauder via Stagecraft
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> wrote:
> Question for the folks who work internationally: Do you file an ATA CARNET
> for your personal hand tools?
>
> I have one Pelican case that has basic tools of my trade (multimeter,
> labeler, a bag of screwdrivers/wire strippers/etc, portable soldering iron,
> 12V drill, etc). Stuff I use frequently and don't want to waste time
> sourcing locally or constantly borrowing.
>
> I've traveled in and out of Brazil twice and no one batted an eye at the
> Pelican case. However on Sunday I'm flying to Thailand, and I'm being told I
> need to file an ATA CARNET. The total cost to get same day ATA CARNET
> service is upwards of $400. At that point I might as well just par down my
> essentials even further and buy the rest locally.
>
> So I'm curious if others have had any issues flying with tools?
>
> Thanks!
> Michael
>
> --
> Michael Sauder
> Show Control Programming and Design
> Email: michael.sauder at gmail.com
> Web: www.shownet.io
>
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