Dave lee Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 We're doing an event in Belgium later this year and I was wondering what paperwork we would need to clear customs with our equipment? I know some countries (like Switzerland) you need to obtain a Carnet but from what I can gather, we don't need one on this occasion. This is our first trip overseas where we will be transporting the equipment ourselves so any advice/tips would be gratefully received. The event is in Brussels and we'd be travelling from the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
london sound Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Hi None, not even for Switzerland, however for Switzerland if you are a band and have merchandise you may have to pay tax on the way in and you will get refund on exit. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter F Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Hi None, not even for Switzerland Really? I'm not sure this is true. We certainly had a carnet for the backline last time we passed through Switzerland less than 6 months ago, I remember sitting on the bus for an eternity waiting to get the paperwork done. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 We've also had to provide carnets for jobs in Switzerland... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roderick Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 How about a quick call to Customs?These regulations do tend to change from time to time and they are the only people who can give advice with some certainty.Specially with a potential pandemic, borders tend to get a little tighter than usual. When I used to tour around Europe, you needed a carnet for everywhere - but that was a few years ago. One handy hint: Keep all the expensive gear at the back of the truck. If Customs want to inspect your truck, they always want to see the most expensive bit of gear on the list. And if that is in the front of the truck, they will make you unload the whole thing.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkA74 Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 No "special" paperwork needed. I did a conference at the Brussels Hilton last year & we took a 7.5T hire truck with full conference kit & just took a copy of the kit list with us. Going out of Dover they just wave you on the ferry, drove straight out of Calais & onto the french motorway, trundling at 56mph all the way to the venue. On the way back in the customs people are more interested in X-raying the truck to search for illegal immigrants than what we were carrying. Drove off ferry in Dover & they asked what we were carrying, just said conference AV equipment & showed them the kit list, again we were waved away, straight out of the port. One good thing about the EU is that it's simplified things greatly, no more parking up at a border checkpoint for hours! I'd just make sure that you have a copy of your vehicle insurance, a copy of your kit list & (if you're hiring the truck) one of those "Euro bags" with a warning triangle, spare bulb kits & a flourescent jacket in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JazzAV Posted May 5, 2009 Share Posted May 5, 2009 you shouldn't need anything specific for taking the kit out there and back. Just check that there are no crazy rules and regs you will fall foul of in the countries you visit...Big trucks on the road on a sunday....is the truck allowed in the part of town your going to at the times you need. Recently went to Bucharest and discovered 2 days before hand we needed a permit to drive a truck into the city. Even in this country Oxford wouldnt let me bring in an artic to a specific place without a police escort.... Just worth checking with the Hotel/DMC/Local transport office of any country you are going to....Although I doubt Belgium has anything too exotic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlyfarly Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 What ever you do, do not get caught speeding in Belgium, they have a load of speed traps, cameras and unmarked vehicles. The fine is huge, something like €2,750 for being 40kph over the limit IIRC :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djw1981 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 Being 25mph over is a fair bit over even in Uk though..... in fact in some area in Uk it is almost licence losing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_R Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 The list of Countries that participate in the ATA Carnet scheme is hereLCCI If you have any questions regarding Carnets and their use, I can recommend contacting Cops Docs Limited they are specialists in Carnets, it's what they do! Regards,Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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