Exhibition Edge Crisis

Your career-defining gallery opening is in 6 hours, but $12M worth of contemporary art is trapped in customs at JFK. A documentation error with the ATA Carnet has triggered a full inspection, and Chief Inspector Chen seems suspiciously interested in prolonging the process. Without these pieces, your exhibition is dead, and so is your reputation.

Challenges

356

Survivors

Popularity

Difficulty

B1-B2

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Scenario Overview

Your Role

Gallery Director of Contemporary Arts Division, Pace Gallery NYC

Conversation Partner

Chief Customs Inspector Chen

Setting

Sterile customs inspection area, harsh fluorescent lighting, security cameras everywhere, temperature-controlled storage visible through reinforced glass

Location

JFK International Airport, Customs Inspection Zone B

Learning Objectives

✓

Explain the legitimate value increase without revealing confidential gallery pricing strategies

✓

Obtain temporary importation clearance before temperature-sensitive pieces deteriorate

✓

Maintain professional composure while navigating increasingly hostile questioning

About This Scenario

How It Starts

“Ms./Mr. Gallery Director, these ATA Carnet documents show a declared value of €8.2M in Paris, but your US customs forms list $12M. That's quite a... creative appreciation in value during a seven-hour flight. Care to explain?”

This is how Chief Customs Inspector Chen's greeting will start.

Practice Details

Scenario ID

#22

What You'll Get

🎯Real-world conversation practice
🤖AI-powered speaking partner
📊Instant feedback on your performance
🎓Learn from your mistakes

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