altona Diagnostics: Simplifying Cross-Border Travel with ATA Carnet

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A customer story

WHO WE ARE

altona Diagnostics is a medical diagnostics company specializing in the development and production of PCR-based in vitro diagnostic tests for detecting pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and parasites.

Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, the privately owned company has more than 350 employees worldwide and over 25 years of experience in molecular diagnostics. altona Diagnostics distributes its products globally through subsidiaries and more than 40 distribution partners.

 

WHAT WE DO

altona Diagnostics develops ready-to-use molecular diagnostic kits based on real-time PCR technology. Its portfolio includes more than 50 CE-IVD-marked products compatible with open real-time PCR platforms, as well as automated workflow solutions combining instrumentation, nucleic acid extraction and dedicated software.

Ingunn Fredriksen is Sales Manager for the Nordic countries, responsible for promoting and selling altona Diagnostics’ products across the region. All products are shipped directly from the company’s headquarters in Hamburg to Nordic customers, with logistics, customs clearance and transportation handled by the logistics team and their partners in Hamburg.

Ingunn joined altona Diagnostics in June last year, bringing more than 25 years of experience in the medical diagnostics industry. Her role includes frequent participation in medical congresses and meetings across the Nordic region and Europe, which she manages locally with mobile exhibition equipment.

USING ATA CARNET

As the only Nordic representative based in Norway, Ingunn travels across borders with exhibition equipment. After a recommendation from an industry colleague, she contacted Oslo Chamber of Commerce to obtain an ATA Carnet.

The Carnet provides a simple and efficient solution for temporarily importing and exporting exhibition equipment without having to navigate complex customs procedures in each country.

Her first Carnet journey was from Oslo to Denmark, where the process went smoothly despite some initial challenges with customs. The return to Oslo was equally straightforward, demonstrating the practical benefits of using an ATA Carnet when travelling across borders with professional equipment.