Moving kit around the EU? Carnets are going digital

Last Updated on 21 July 2026

It’s been a while since I posted anything Brexit-related. Partly because it’s all be too depressing.

However we need to enjoy glimmers of light where we can.

This glimmer comes from the digitisation of an annoying bureaucratic process.

Anyone moving kit, including camera, musical instruments, etc., etc. between the UK and another country knows it involves paperwork.

You have to get a special document called a ‘carnet’ which acts as a kind of passport for kit. This has to be shown (along with the kit) to customs officers when crossing borders.

It ensures that you’re not accused of exporting or importing objects for sale.

Since leaving the EU we’ve had to do this when travelling between the UK and European countries too.

Up until now a carnet has meant multiple bits of colourful paper. Now, for the EU, Norway and Switzerland it’s being turned into an app.

The transition to digitisation started on 1st June 2026 and is due to be completed by the end of 2027. So there may be a need to take paper copies for a while, depending on the countries you’re visiting.

It doesn’t take away the need for the carnet nor for the costs. But at least we’re on track to a paperless system, avoiding the need to print out loads of copies for each border guard.

Posted on 21 July 2026