carnet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical / Business
Quick answer
What does “carnet” mean?
A customs permit or a booklet of tickets.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A customs permit or a booklet of tickets.
Primarily refers to a document issued by customs allowing temporary import of goods (e.g., a carnet de passage for a vehicle). Also used for a booklet of vouchers or tickets, often for transport or events, like a season ticket.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In both varieties, 'carnet' is specialist vocabulary. In UK English, it is more likely to be used in the 'ticket booklet' sense (e.g., for public transport). In US English, it is almost exclusively used in the international customs/trade context.
Connotations
Professional, official, related to bureaucracy or formal travel arrangements.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday language in both regions. Significantly higher frequency in specific professional fields (logistics, customs, high-end travel).
Grammar
How to Use “carnet” in a Sentence
to have a carnet for [goods/vehicle]to issue a carnet to [person/company]to travel on a [transport] carnetVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
ATA carnets are essential for exhibiting samples at international trade fairs without paying duties.
Academic
The study analysed the impact of simplified customs procedures, such as the carnet system, on SME exports.
Everyday
I bought a monthly carnet for the metro; it's cheaper than buying individual tickets. (More common in UK/EU contexts)
Technical
The carnet must be stamped upon entry and exit by the customs authorities of each contracting party.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carnet”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carnet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carnet”
- Mispronouncing it as /kɑːrˈnɛt/ (like 'carpet').
- Using it as a general word for any ticket.
- Omitting the article: "He travelled on carnet" should be "He travelled on a carnet."
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a fully naturalised loanword from French, used in specific professional and formal contexts in English.
Its most internationally significant use is for the ATA Carnet, a customs document for the temporary duty-free import of goods.
No, this meaning exists in French but not in standard English. In English, it exclusively refers to an official permit or ticket booklet.
In British English, pronounce it as /ˈkɑːneɪ/ (KAR-nay). In American English, it is often /kɑrˈneɪ/ (kar-NAY), with the stress on the second syllable.
A customs permit or a booklet of tickets.
Carnet is usually formal / technical / business in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think CARnet = CAR + NETwork. Your CAR needs a special NETwork permit (carnet) to travel across borders.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PASSPORT FOR GOODS (The carnet allows goods to travel temporarily, just as a passport allows a person).
Practice
Quiz
In which professional context is the word 'carnet' most likely to be used?