basic-guide-to-exporting_Latest_eg_main_086196

cinematographic, audiovisual, medical, scientific, or other professional equipmentinto member countries without paying customs duties and taxes or posting a bond atthe border of each country to be visited.You should contact the U.S. Council for International Business to determine whetherthe country you are visiting is a member of the ATA Convention. Carnets are generallyvalid for 12 months. To receive an application or to ask questions, contact the U.S.Council for International Business at (866) 786-5625 or visit uscib.org.PassportsAll travel outside the United States and its possessions requires a valid U.S.passport. Information is available from the nearest local passport office. A wealth ofinformation on passports, applications, and renewals is available online from the U.S.Department of State. You can obtain a nationwide listing of government offices thathave passport applications on hand, or you can download a printable application atstate.gov. (Express service is available for a fee.)VisasMany countries require visas, which cannot be obtained through the PassportServices Directorate. Visas are provided by a foreign country’s embassy or consulatein the United States for a small fee. You must have a current U.S. passport to obtaina visa, and in many cases, a recent photo is required. You should allow several weeksto obtain visas, especially if you are traveling to developing nations. Some foreigncountries require visas for business travel but not for tourist travel. When you requestvisas from a consulate or an embassy, you should notify the authorities that you willbe conducting business. Check visa requirements each time you travel to a country,since regulations change periodically. Contact a U.S. Commercial Service office tolearn about documentation requirements for the countries in which you will betraveling.VaccinationsRequirements for vaccinations differ by country. Although there may not be anyrestrictions on direct travel to and from the United States, there may be restrictionsif you travel indirectly and stop over in another country before reaching your finaldestination. Although not required, vaccinations against typhus, typhoid, andother diseases are advisable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)maintains a web page to advise travelers of current conditions by country and regionat cdc.gov/travel.Foreign CustomsBecause foreign customs regulations vary by country, you are advised to learn inadvance the regulations that apply to each country you plan to visit. If allowances forcigarettes, liquor, currency, and certain other items are not taken into account, thoseitems can be impounded at national borders.184U.S. Commercial Service • A Basic Guide to Exporting