ATA Carnet

An ATA Carnet is essentially a ‘passport for the goods’ replacing the need for usual customs documentation whilst allowing fast, trouble free importation into visiting countries. They can be used for multiple trips, are valid for up to one year and cover over 80 countries.

What is an ATA Carnet:

ATA Carnets can be applied to a wide array of goods and equipment, with a few exceptions. For instance, musical equipment, racehorses, electrical machinery, and similar items are generally acceptable, while consumable and explosive goods cannot be transported under an ATA Carnet.

To qualify for an ATA Carnet, your goods must fall into one of the following categories:

1. Commercial samples

2. Goods for presentation or use at trade fairs, exhibitions, or similar events

3. Professional equipment (intended solely for use by the Carnet holder or their nominated representative)

ATA Carnets serve as a guarantee to foreign customs authorities that all duties and taxes will be paid to them in case the conditions for allowing the goods into the country are violated. Consequently, security is a prerequisite for your Carnet application. The security amount is calculated based on the highest rate of duty and taxes applicable to the goods in the countries to which they will be transported.

Carnets are versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to:

  • Exhibitions or Demonstrations

  • Fashion Shows

  • Racing Horses

  • Filming Equipment for Photography Shoots

  • Samples for Equipment Testing

  • Motor Racing or Demonstration Vehicles

  • Props for Theatre or Musical Performances

ATA Carnets streamline the process of temporarily importing goods for these purposes, simplifying international trade and ensuring that all obligations to foreign customs authorities are met.