Your Options, and Why a TIB Should Be Your First Move
By Peacock Tariff Consulting
As we move into 2026, small and medium‑sized enterprises around the world are preparing for one of the most active U.S. trade show cycles in over a decade. Whether you’re shipping from Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, or Africa, one question is dominating planning conversations:
“How do we get our trade show equipment into the United States without paying unnecessary duties?”
It’s a critical question and one that directly affects your event ROI. With global freight costs rising, supply chains tightening, and U.S. Customs scrutiny increasing, the last thing an SME needs are to pay thousands of dollars in duties on goods that are not even staying in the United States.
The good news: You have options. The better news: One option stands above the rest for 2026.
Let’s break it down.
The Global Reality: SMEs Everywhere Overpay at the U.S. Border
Every year, companies from across the world ship booth systems, demo units, prototypes, and exhibition materials into the U.S. and many unknowingly pay full duties as if the goods were being permanently imported.
Why?
- They assume duties are unavoidable
- Their freight forwarder doesn’t specialize in temporary imports
- They’re unaware of U.S. temporary import programs
- They’re told “it’s easier to just pay it”
- They don’t have a compliance partner guiding them
At Peacock Tariff Consulting, we see this constantly and it’s money lost unnecessarily.
If your goods are not being sold, consumed, or left behind, you should not be paying duties. Full stop.
Your Options for Duty-Free or Reduced-Duty Entry into the U.S.
Global SMEs typically have three pathways when shipping trade show materials into the United States:
Option 1 Permanent Importation (Pay Duties)
This is the default if you do nothing special.
- Duties assessed on full value
- Goods treated as permanent imports
- No refund after re-export
- Higher compliance burden
This is the option you want to avoid.
Option 2 ATA Carnet
The ATA Carnet is widely used across Europe, Asia, and other regions for temporary imports into multiple countries.
Pros:
- Accepted in many countries
- Ideal for multi-country trade show circuits
- One document for repeated entries
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Strict item-level control
- Not ideal for SMEs attending only U.S. events
- Not suitable for consumables or giveaways
For many SMEs, the carnet is more expensive and more complex than necessary.
Option 3 Temporary Importation Bond (TIB)
This is the prime option for 2026. And for most global SMEs, it’s the most cost-effective, flexible, and straightforward solution.
A TIB allows you to bring goods into the U.S. duty-free, as long as they are re-exported within the allowed timeframe. For trade show materials, the applicable category is:
HTSUS 9813.00.75 Articles Imported for Exhibition, Display, or Demonstration
This is the exact legal provision designed for your scenario.
Why a TIB Should Be Your First Choice in 2026
Here’s why SMEs worldwide overwhelmingly benefit from using a TIB for U.S. trade shows:
1. Immediate Duty-Free Entry
You avoid paying duties, taxes, and fees on goods that are not staying in the U.S.
For many SMEs, this saves thousands sometimes tens of thousands.
2. Lower Cost Than an ATA Carnet
A TIB requires a bond equal to 110% of the duties that would have been owed but you don’t pay the duties themselves.
Compared to carnet fees, insurance, and administrative costs, a TIB is often significantly cheaper.
3. Ideal for One-Off or Occasional U.S. Events
If you’re attending:
- CES
- SEMA
- FABTECH
- IMTS
- AHR Expo
- Natural Products Expo
- Or any U.S. regional or industry-specific show
…a TIB is the most efficient option.
4. Broker-Friendly and Flexible
Your U.S. customs broker can file a TIB as a standard entry type (Type 23), and the process is smooth when documentation is prepared correctly.
5. Extensions Available
You get one year by default, with the possibility of extending up to three years total.
This is ideal for companies whose equipment may remain in the U.S. for multiple events before returning home.
What You Can Bring Under a TIB
Most trade show materials qualify:
- Booth structures
- Display walls
- Demo units
- Machinery
- Electronics
- Lighting systems
- Non-consumable marketing materials
- Prototypes
- Samples not intended for distribution
If it’s for display, demonstration, or exhibition it likely qualifies.
What You Cannot Bring Under a TIB
A TIB cannot cover:
- Giveaways
- Brochures intended for distribution
- Consumables
- Items that will be sold
- Items that will be left behind
These must be declared separately but the majority of your booth equipment can still enter under a TIB.
The Catch: You Must Re-Export Everything
A TIB is a legal promise to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that the goods will leave the country.
If you fail to re-export on time, CBP can assess liquidated damages equal to the full bond amount.
This is why SMEs benefit from having a structured compliance plan and why Peacock Tariff Consulting builds that plan for you.
Why Global SMEs Choose Peacock Tariff Consulting
We support companies worldwide with:
- Clean, audit-ready TIB documentation
- Broker instruction sheets
- Re-export tracking systems
- Risk assessments
- Event-specific compliance planning
- Advisory for multi-country trade show circuits
Our mission is simple: Help global SMEs enter the U.S. duty-free and exit without penalties.
2026 Will Be a Massive Year for U.S. Trade Shows
With global markets expanding and U.S. event attendance surging, SMEs from every region are doubling down on U.S. exposure. But with that opportunity comes risk and unnecessary duty payments are one of the easiest ways to erode your ROI.
A TIB is the most powerful tool global SMEs have to protect their margins while still showing up on the biggest stages in North America.
If your company is planning a U.S. trade show in 2026, now is the time to structure your import strategy.
Peacock Tariff Consulting is here to help you do it right and do it duty-free.