Cindy Duncan elected Vice-Chair of World ATA Carnet Council

In her new position, Ms Duncan will support WATAC Chairman, Peter Bishop, to coordinate the activities of the Council and its Administrative Committee. Mr Bishop was re-elected Chairman by WATAC in June 2010 to complete a final three-year term.

Ms Duncan has served as head of Carnet Operations at the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) since February 2000 and sits on the Executive Board of the World ATA Carnet Council, based in Paris. Ms Duncan also serves on the Steering Committee of World Trade Week New York (NY) City and on the NY District Export Council. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Organization of Women in International Trade, New York and previously served in a number of other capacities at USCIB, including as vice president for membership.

Currently accepted in 68 countries, ATA Carnets are passports for goods for world trade that permit the duty and tax-free temporary export of goods. The WCF WATAC is the International Chamber of Commerce working body that administers the international guarantee chain for Carnets. The chain comprises chambers and business organizations which have been appointed by their national Customs authority to issue and guarantee ATA Carnets. In 2010, Moldova and Macao became the latest affiliates to join the chain.

Valued at over US$17 billion, more than 150,000 Carnets are issued worldwide every year covering goods of all kinds such as commercial samples, professional equipment, goods for fairs and exhibitions. Appointed by the US Customs Service to act as the US guaranteeing and issuing association for the ATA Carnet service in 1968, USCIB issues 16,000 Carnets annually.