Customs Information

(for teams travelling from overseas)

• US Customs advises: get a Carnet for your equipment. A Carnet is like a "passport" for your robots. They prove to Customs that you will take the robots with you when you leave. They are distributed by the International Chamber of Commerce for your country. You will probably have to pay some money that may be refunded after your trip for a Carnet.
  Here is information about what a Carnet is: http://www.iccwbo.org/home/news_archives/2000/ata_carnet.asp

• The RoboCup organizers advise: if at all possible bring your robots with you as checked baggage. The CMU team has done this on all of their RoboCup trips (even the mid-size league). If this is not possible, you will have to have your robots shipped to Seattle and you will need a Carnet. If you ship your robots, the Carnet should travel with them.

• If you do not get a Carnet and you bring your robots with you, assign some equipment to each of your team members. If each person only claims to be bringing in US$2000 or less of commercial equipment, you will likely pass through customs without a problem (i.e., you won't need a Carnet).

• If you do need a Carnet, here is an index of contacts for getting one: http://www.iccwbo.org/home/ata_carnets/ata_countries.asp

last updated: 15 June 2001 (eis)

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