Carnets In Bolivia: What's The Deal?

Carnets are physical documents that allow for the temporary import and export of goods and vehicles across borders without the need to pay import taxes or duties. Carnets are also known as merchandise passports or passports for goods. Carnets are issued by domestic associations approved by the World Chambers Federation (WCF) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Bolivia requires non-citizens to obtain a carnet de extranjero or Cedula de Extranjero, which is a form of identification that is required by law for non-citizens living in Bolivia.

Carnet de Extranjero: Foreigner ID Card

A Carnet de Extranjero, or Foreigner ID Card, is a legal requirement for foreigners living in Bolivia. It is a Bolivian identification card that is required by law and is not optional. It is needed to carry out many different types of transactions and for identification purposes.

The process of obtaining a Carnet de Extranjero can be complicated and time-consuming, and the requirements may vary depending on the individual's specific situation. In general, individuals will need to provide documentation such as a passport, visa, proof of address, and proof of income. They may also need to provide additional documents, such as an Interpol clearance certificate. The application process typically involves submitting the required documents, paying the necessary fees, and providing biometric information such as fingerprints and photographs.

The cost of obtaining a Carnet de Extranjero can vary, but it is generally under 500 Bolivianos. There may also be additional costs associated with the application process, such as translation fees or legal fees. It is important to note that the requirements and fees may change over time, so it is advisable to check with the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information.

Once an individual has obtained their Carnet de Extranjero, it is important to keep it safe and secure, as it is a valuable document. It should be noted that the Carnet de Extranjero is typically valid for a limited period, usually until the individual's visa expires. Therefore, it may need to be renewed periodically, and there may be fines for failing to do so in a timely manner.

Carnet de Passage: Passport for your car

A Carnet de Passage is a passport for your vehicle. It allows you to enter countries by car without paying import taxes. It is specifically designed for travellers as a transit/temporary import document.

The Carnet de Passage is valid for 1 year and can be used for either 10 or 25 countries, depending on your Automobile Association (AA). The AA calculates a deposit, which may vary from 1,000 to 10,000 US dollars, depending on your vehicle and the countries you want to visit. The deposit is kept by the AA for the duration of your journey and returned when you come back with your Carnet de Passage duly stamped.

The Carnet de Passage is not required in South America, as of 2016. However, it is needed in Iran, Pakistan, India, Singapore and China.

ATA Carnet: Merchandise passport

An ATA Carnet, also known as a Merchandise Passport, is an international customs document that allows for the duty-free and tax-free temporary entry of goods. The ATA Carnet system was established by the International ATA Conventions and is governed by the World Customs Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce's World Chambers Federation. The aim is to encourage world trade and reduce trade barriers created by different national customs regulations. The ATA Carnet simplifies customs procedures, allowing a temporary exporter to use a single document for all customs transactions, make arrangements in advance, and at a predetermined cost.

ATA Carnets are particularly useful when a product may "travel" to several countries before being returned to its origin country. They are in effect for up to one year, with a possible extension for another year. ATA Carnets cover most goods or merchandise, including commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods intended for use at trade shows and exhibitions. However, they are not recommended for situations where some products taken abroad may be sold in a foreign country. ATA Carnets do not cover consumable or disposable items.

The ATA Carnet document has a green cover page that provides the names of the carnet holder and national guaranteeing association, the carnet issue date, the carnet number, the countries in which the carnet may be used, and a complete description of the goods covered. Yellow sheets in the package are used upon exportation from and re-importation back into the issuing country. White sheets are used for the temporary importation into and re-exportation from foreign countries. Blue sheets are used when transiting through countries.

To obtain an ATA Carnet, individuals or businesses can apply through one of the two ATA Carnet Service Providers authorised by the United States Council for International Business (USCIB): Boomerang Carnets and Roanoke. The value of the goods on the ATA Carnet determines the processing fees. It typically takes two business days to process an application if the application and security deposit are received by 4:00 pm ET.

Cedula de Extranjero: Bolivian ID Card

The Cedula de Extranjero, or Foreigner's ID Card, is a Bolivian identification card that is required by law for foreigners living in Bolivia. It is a necessary document for many types of transactions and identification purposes.

To obtain a Cedula de Extranjero, you must first have a one-year temporary residency in Bolivia. Within 25 days of receiving your residency, you should apply for the Cedula de Extranjero to avoid any fines. The application process involves several steps:

• Obtain a digital copy of a passport-style photograph with a white background. This can be done at most Bolivian photo studios for a small fee.
• Complete a pre-registration on the SEGIP website under SEGIP > Extranjeria > Solicitud de Cedula de Extranjero.
• Visit the SEGIP office with the following documents:

• A printout of your pre-registration
• A photocopy of your passport, including the one-year residency sticker
• The cover letter granting your residency
• Receipt of payment of the required fee to SEGIP (around 480 BS)

Return to the SEGIP office after one week to collect your Cedula de Extranjero.

It is important to note that the SEGIP office that deals with foreigners may vary depending on your location in Bolivia. For example, in La Paz, the office is located on Calle Mexico, a few blocks away from Plaza Estudiente.

The Cedula de Extranjero is a crucial document for anyone planning to live, work, or retire in Bolivia. It allows foreigners to integrate into Bolivian society, conduct transactions, and easily identify themselves when needed.

Carnet Requirements

A carnet is a legal requirement for living in Bolivia and is needed within 10 days of receiving your passport with a residency stamp from migración. It is a form of identification that is required by law and is not optional. Police, immigration officers, bank officials, and electoral officials may request that you produce your carnet at any time.

To obtain a carnet, you must go to the "extranjería" window at migración and ask them to sign you up for a photo appointment. You will then need to return to migración at the appointed time to get your photo taken. After that, you will sign some documents and pay a fee. A few days later, you will receive your carnet. The fee for the carnet is just under 300 bs.

If you do not obtain your carnet within 10 days of receiving your passport with the residency stamp, you will be subject to a fine of 15Bs for each day it is overdue.

The carnet is valid until your current visa expires, and you don't need to return it when you leave Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions