Demand for carnets skyrockets - Chamber

Demand for temporary export documentation, known as carnets, has skyrocketed according to new figures released by the Chamber 's documentation team.

According to the team, 230 carnets were processed in May 2021, compared to just eight in May 2020.

Also, the Chamber processed 25 per cent more carnet documents in May compared to April.

Carnets processed by the Chamber have surged due to increased demand for the documentation by the automotive sector and Brexit.

Jonathan Crosbie (pictured), international documentation manager, said: “We 've witnessed high demand for carnets, temporary export documents, predominantly from automotive clients.

“Generally businesses are shipping cars and vehicles around Europe for testing, or shipping commercial samples to international offices and their own customers.

“Ninety-five per cent of carnets applied for are going to Europe, because of the impact of Brexit.

“Customers generally understand that they require carnets to temporarily export to European markets, however they are frustrated that the UK government and the EU has not hammered out a temporary customs agreement in order to ease the process.

“Many exporters were used to the free movement of goods, but since the UK left the EU, using carnets has come as a bit of a shock to the system.

“When other parts of the world start to ease restrictions, we will start to see more variation in the types of businesses using carnet documents.

“Carnets are typically used by businesses that exhibit at overseas shows, those that need to ship goods to take part in events or leisure activities and musical sectors.

“Many of these industries are of course, being severely impacted by Covid restrictions and are not able to take part in events activities or expos.

“We undoubtedly will see a major upturn in demand for carnets, once these sectors can operate again. ”