ATA CARNET – Passport for Goods

ATA is an acronym for: A Temporary Admission

An ATA Carnet is an International customs document that essentially acts as a passport for goods allowing for their temporary importation into a number of countries. Its is applicable to a variety of items such as samples, scientific equipment, computers, tools, cameras, video equipment, lighting equipment, transformers, industrial machinery, automobiles, gems, jewellery, theatrical costumes and sets as well as leather, sports goods and clothing. The system operates within the framework of international customs conventions administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and has been in cooperation for more than 30 years. A world ATA Carnet Council manages the system in cooperation with the WCO. The Council has set up regional task forces to promote the ATA Carnet in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The ATA international guarantee chain provides reciprocal guarantees assuring customs administrations that in the event of misuse, duties and taxes due will be paid. Examples of misuse include the sale instead of the re-export of the goods or failure to remove the goods from the country within the stipulated time period. Each country in the ATA system has a single guaranteeing body approved by the national custom authorities and the IBCC. The guaranteeing organization is entitles to issue Carnets and to authorize local chambers on the national territory to deliver Carnets on its behalf. In major trading nations, dozens of local chambers have that authority. Approximately 200 000 Carnets are issued every year that they are accepted in most part of the world. A single Carnets covers visit to an unlimited number of ATA countries in a year. Carnets may be issued at low cost within a few days and with minimal formalities.

CARNETS AT A GLANCE

• Are generally valid for one year
• Are accepted in approximately 60 countries and territories
• Eliminate payment of duties and value-added taxes (VAT)
• Eliminate the need for customs declaration by giving instant recognition and acceptance by foreign customs officials at border posts.
• Allow a temporary exporter to use a single document for all customs transactions.
• Are a method of making important arrangement in advance.
• Allow you to budget at a predetermined cost
• Minimize uncertainty and surprises at customs

CARNETS ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTED AND RECEIVED IN THESE COUNTRIES:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Balearic Isles, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Ceuta, China, Corsica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia including Tahiti, Germany, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungry, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Ital, Ivory Coat, Japan, Jersey, Korea (Rep of), Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Melilla, Miguelon, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal , Puerto Rico, Reunion Island, Romania, St Barthelme, St. Martin, French par, St Pierre, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka , Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tahiti, Tasmania, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Wallis and Futuna Islands

Call the Council for International Business at (212) 354 4480 to determine if the country to which you are traveling accepts carnets.