The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods for up to one year. It contains pre-prepared unified customs declaration forms to be used at each customs border offices and serves as a guarantee to customs duties and taxes. If they become necessary i.e. if the Carnet is misused or the goods remain in the country of temporary importation permanently.

ATA Carnets can be used in 80+ destinations around the world.

Established under the ATA Convention and the Istanbul Convention as a trade facilitation tool, ATA Carnets cut red tape by simplifying and unifying customs border crossing regulations for temporary import and export. With an ATA Carnet, exhibitors, salespeople, artists, athletes, TV crews, technicians, event participants and business travellers may travel through customs without paying import duties or taxes at each customs border office. In addition, they only need to use one document for multiple destinations and trips throughout its one-year validity and can make advanced customs arrangements at predetermined costs.  ATA Carnets cover almost everything. The list includes: 

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• Goods for use at trade fairs, shows, exhibitions

• Professional equipment (tools of trade, test and scientific equipment etc)

• Commercial samples and personal effects and goods for sports purposes (including race vehicles).

• Carnets can not used if the goods are planned to go through any processing or modifications while situated in the country of temporary importation

• ATA carnets do not include perishable items, goods for processing or repair, or means of private transportation

• All entries and exits from one country to another must be endorsed by the relevant Customs

• Failure to re-export the goods from the country of importation, before the Carnet expires or within the time limit imposed by host customs, may lead to payment of duty. Carnet Holder will be responsible for meeting any such charges.

This list is no exclusive and only intends to provide some examples:

• Traders attending international exhibitions for which they are taking marketing materials, samples, equipment, stands or other

• Manufacturing/Engineering or other companies travelling overseas to carry out a service delivery such as maintenance, repair, testing or other

• TV/Media companies taking specialised film equipment 

• Universities/Research Centres taking special scientific equipment, laptops or other 

• Sport Teams taking sporting equipment to overseas competitions

• Music/Entertainment companies taking special sound/video equipment or other

1. List of countries the goods will be travelling to

2. Intended use of goods

3. Name of person / company that will be travelling with the goods

4. List of items that will be exported

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For more information, click here

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Click on this link to see all the HM Revenue & Customs inland sites which can process ATA Carnets, CITES, TIR and CTC documentation.

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Yes,  the ATA carnet provides a guarantee to the foreign customs offices that any duties and taxes will be paid for the goods should the conditions under which they were allowed to be imported temporarily are breach.   The security can be a banker's draft or cash, a bank guarantee or you can opt-in for our in-house carnet security scheme (CSS).

Just sign up in our e-platform and follow the instructions.   If you need help completing the application, check our upcoming events as we may be running Step by Step workshops, or you can book a one-to-one session with a member of our team, just complete the form on your right.