Clarification of Carnet Status for St. Martin and Sint Maarten

Saint Martin is an island in the northeast Caribbean Sea divided between 2 nations:

The French Republic and the Kingdom of the Netherlands 

The northern half, Saint Martin, is the French side. It is an Overseas Collectivity of France. As an OC of France, it is a member of the European Union and accepts ATA Carnets.

The southern half, Saint Maarten, is the Dutch side. Sint Maarten is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a separate country from the Netherlands with its own government and Customs authority. Sint Maarten accepts ATA Carnets as well.

The only international airport on the island is Princess Juliana International Airport, which is located on the Dutch side. There is no physical border and no Customs checkpoints between the two sides of the island, and travel between the two sides is not strictly monitored or controlled. Therefore, the only customs area for validation of a carnet on importation and re-exportation is the airport. (For cruise ship and customs information please contact a Carnet Specialist.)

Please contact a Carnet Specialist at the Carnet HelpLine®, (800) ATA-2900 / (800) 282-2900 or email us, for additional information if you are planning to use a carnet for travel to St. Martin & Sint Maarten.