Rock-it Cargo, a Global Critical Logistics (GCL) company, has issued and processed the first U.S. digital ATA Carnet (eATA Carnet) for a time-critical hand-carry shipment from John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, U.S. to London Heathrow Airport in the UK.

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This eATA Carnet was used to ship microphones, designed by Emmy Award-winning costume designer Perry Meek, to this year’s TPi Awards Ceremony in London, UK, which takes place on February 26th.

The microphones were hand-carried to the UK by Rock-it and will be returned to the U.S. after the show, which is organised by TPi magazine and celebrates excellence in the live events industry.

“We’re thrilled to launch the official test-phase for e-ATA Carnet processing in the United States,” said Declan Daly, Chief Operating Officer (CEO), United States Council for International Business (USCIB).

“With the help of our partners, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the International Chamber of Commerce World Chamber Federation (ICC WCF), our service providers, and Rock-it Cargo, we’ve taken a crucial and exciting first step to finally bring the ATA Carnet into the 21st century.”

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USCIB chose Rock-it Cargo to pilot the eATA Carnet because it is one of the largest ATA Carnet users in the U.S., with global experience of moving time-critical freight for the live entertainment and TV & Film production industries, which are highly dependent on ATA Carnets to ensure the show goes on.

The ATA Carnet, often referred to as a “passport for goods,” is an international Customs document that permits the temporary, duty-free, and tax-free import of commercial goods.

ATA Carnets are essential to the success of live event tours, as they provide the ability to clear Customs in over 100 territories expeditiously and efficiently, to make sure production equipment and gear arrives on time and ready for the show.

“Like other legacy paper processes, if the ATA Carnet does not modernise and become a digital solution, then touring artists and other traditional ATA Carnet users will no longer experience the positive benefits from using ATA Carnets” said Amanda Barlow, Vice President of Risk Management and Business Affairs, Rock-it Cargo.

“We are grateful for the forward-thinking efforts of the ICC WCF, USCIB, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and other ATA Carnet guarantee associations who have created the digital ATA Carnet solution, and for their tireless efforts to achieve the implementation of the eATA Carnet across all accepting Customs administrations.”

Rock-it Cargo joins fellow GCL company, Dynamic International, in spearheading the digital transformation of the ATA Carnet. Dynamic International processed the UK’s first eATA Carnet at London’s Heathrow Airport in 2022.

The microphones, co-sponsored by TPi, audio technology leaders Sennheiser, and Rock-it Cargo will be used during the Awards Ceremony, the 23rd edition of the event.