We booked a 10-date tour in Europe. At UK Customs, they asked for my ATA Carnet. I didn’t have one. They seized my pedalboard and guitars as “un-declared imports” and demanded $10,000 in VAT/Duty to release them. My insurance company said, “We cover theft, not customs seizures.”
Key Takeaways
- Carnet ≠ Insurance: An ATA Carnet is a “Passport for Goods.” It lets you take gear into a country tax-free by proving you will take it back out. It is not insurance against damage.
- Insurance ≠ Carnet: Your gear insurance covers damage/theft. It does not pay for customs fines, seizure, or taxes.
- Seizure Exclusion: Almost every insurance policy excludes “Confiscation or Seizure by Customs or Government Authority.” If customs takes your gear, you get $0.
- Worldwide Coverage is Essential: Ensure your gear policy says “Worldwide.” Many homeowners policies are “Residence Only” or “US/Canada Only.”
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Sovereign Laws.”
Every country wants to prevent you from selling gear tax-free. They assume you are selling it unless you have a Carnet.
If you don’t have the Carnet, they confiscate the gear until you pay.
Insurance covers fortuitous losses. Getting stopped by customs because you didn’t do the paperwork is not fortuitous; it’s a documentation failure.
The Investigation (My Analysis of Logistics)
I looked at the cost of doing it right.
Boomerang Carnets
- The Service: They issue the Carnet document.
- The Cost: ~$300 – $500 depending on value. You also post a “Bond” (financial guarantee) worth 40% of the gear value (you get this back).
- The Result: You breeze through customs.
MusicPro Worldwide
- The Coverage: They cover the gear while in Europe.
- The Gap: They do not cover the bond or the fines.
Shipping vs. Carrying
- The Risk: If you ship gear (freight), a Carnet is mandatory. If you carry it (checked bag), you might sneak through, but if caught, it’s game over.
[IMAGE: Photo of a stamped ATA Carnet document on top of a flight case]
Comparison Table
| Document | Purpose | Provider | Cost |
| Insurance Policy | Covers Theft/Damage | MusicPro/Clarion | Annual Premium |
| ATA Carnet | Avoids Import Tax | Boomerang Carnets | Per Trip/Year |
| Customs Bond | Guarantees Tax Payout | Surety Company | % of Value |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- List Your Gear: Serial numbers, weights, values, country of origin.
- Apply for Carnet: Do this 3 weeks before the tour.
- Check “Worldwide” Box: Call your insurer. “Does my policy cover me in the UK and EU?”
- Don’t Bring Brazilian Rosewood: CITES regulations (endangered wood) are separate from Carnets. If your guitar has Brazilian Rosewood, customs will seize and destroy it without a CITES certificate. Insurance won’t pay.
FAQ
Do I need a Carnet for Canada?
From the US, usually yes for commercial gear, though there are exemptions for “portable musical instruments” carried by the individual. A “Manifest” is often enough.
What if I sell a guitar on tour?
You have to pay the VAT/Duty in that country immediately, and update the Carnet (the item won’t return).
Is the Carnet Bond refunded?
Yes, once you return to the US and prove all gear is back.