Rock-it Cargo — which provides freight forwarding and logistics services through air, land and sea for corporate events, live shows, and more — has piloted the first US electronic ATA Carnet (eATA Carnet) for the temporary export and import of equipment. 

The forwarder issued and processed the first US digital eATA Carnet for a time-critical hand-carry shipment from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, US, to London Heathrow Airport in the UK.

"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 announcement said.

It added that the microphones were hand-carried to the UK by Rock-it and will be returned to the US after the show.

"We're thrilled to launch the official test-phase for e-ATA Carnet processing in the United States," said Declan Daly, chief operating officer United States Council for International Business (USCIB).

"With the help of our partners, including US 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," it added.

The announcement said USCIB chose Rock-it Cargo to pilot the eATA Carnet because, as one of the largest ATA Carnet users in the US, with global experience in moving time-critical freight for the live entertainment and TV & Film production industries.

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 arrive on time and ready for the show.

"Like other legacy paper processes, if the ATA Carnet does not modernize 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.