NOAO >  CAS >   FAQs >   Importing & Exporting

CAS Frequently Asked Questions > Chile Support > General Information > Grants & Outside Funding > Human Resources > Importing & Exporting Export Regulations Importing Equipment > Payroll > Procurement > Property & Capital Equipment > Shipping & Receiving > Travel

Importing Equipment A co-investigator wants to send me some equipment for an observing run at Kitt Peak. How should this equipment be sent? What is a Carnet? What is a TIB? A co-investigator wants to send me some equipment for an observing run at Kitt Peak. How should this equipment be sent? To ensure that equipment is received expeditiously, when directing individuals in foreign institutions to send instruments or other equipment to NOAO, have the shipment be consigned to: AURA/NOAO 950 N. Cherry Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719 Attn: Clark Enterline Phone: 520-318-8277 All imports must clear U.S. Customs. Tucson has a Customs Office and NOAO has a customs broker who clears inbound shipments on behalf of AURA. There is a cost associated with this service. The NOAO customs broker is: W. J. Byrnes Customs Broker 455 S. Park Ave. Suite 113 Tucson, AZ 85714 Attn: Steve Bessler Phone: 520-889-2275 The U.S. government may classify certain items used by astronomers in their research projects as defense-related. All such items (i.e., IR detectors and instruments, image intensifiers, etc.) may require an import license prior to their import. When arranging for an instrument or technical item to be sent to Tucson, contact either Clark Enterline, the NOAO Procurement Manager (centerline@noao.edu, ext. 8277) or Cliff Aldrich (caldrich@noao.edu, ext 8126), to discuss what is being sent, when it is needed, and to whom the import fees are to be directed. Shipments of equipment for short-term observing runs can be shipped on any number of carriers. However, the equipment's import can be accomplished by two methods. Temporary Import Bond (TIB) Carnet A Carnet results in easier re-entry into the astronomer's country. It is also preferable when the instrument will be used in several different foreign countries. Temporary import bonds (TIBs) are faster and cheaper but do not guarantee duty free entry when returned to the astronomer. No matter how the instrument is entered into the country (TIB or Carnet), it will need to comply with U.S. export regulations when being returned to the shipper. This means that if an export license is required, it must be obtained prior to the equipment's return. top What is a Carnet? A Carnet is an internationally recognized document that is purchased by the owner of the shipment from their country's chamber of commerce (or similar such organization). The Carnet also guarantees that the equipment being shipped will not be sold or modified during transport or while it remains in a foreign country. Under a Carnet, the item being shipped must be returned to the original owner within a limited period of time. The Carnet has a cost associated with its purchase and an additional cost from the importing customs broker in each of the countries it enters. Equipment shipped under a Carnet must be returned to the original owner in the same condition as it was originally shipped. The Carnet must be signed and closed out by customs officials in each of the countries it enters. Carnets are most popular overseas where the customs offices are not as well equipped as is U.S. Customs and are unable to handle import bonds or when the owners do not have any import duty exemption agreement with their home country. When the instrument is returned to astronomer and re-enters his/her country, the Carnet signifies to the importing customs officers that the item originated in that country and is being returned without any modifications. When an instrument is returned on a Carnet, the astronomer does not have to pay any import duties. A Carnet results in easier re-entry into the astronomer's country. It is also preferable when the instrument will be used in several different foreign countries. Instrument's entered into the country under a Carnet must comply with U.S. export regulations when being returned to the shipper. This means that if an export license is required, it must be obtained prior to the equipment's return. top What is a TIB? TIB is short for temporary import bond. The TIB is a document issued by the U.S. Customs Office and is a guarantee by the consignee that the equipment will not be sold or modified, and will remain in the U.S. for less than one year. It is possible to have the TIB extended for one additional year. When an instrument is entered into the United States on a TIB, no duties are charged on the shipment. However, if the TIB is violated by modifying or selling the instrument or if the instrument remains in the United States after the TIB expires, the consignee can be charged duties on the equipment and fined. An instrument entered into the United States on a TIB must be exported via the same customs broker that originally entered the equipment under the TIB. This is done to insure that the TIB is "closed out." Instruments entered into the country under a TIB must comply with U.S. export regulations when being returned to the shipper. This means that if an export license is required, it must be obtained prior to the equipment's return. top

NOAO >   CAS >   FAQs >   Importing & Exporting

Last updated 8/23/2002.