ATA Carnet
The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods for up to one year. The initials "ATA" are an acronym of the French and English words "Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission."
ATA Carnets cover:
- commercial samples;
- professional equipment;
- goods for presentation or use at trade fairs, shows, exhibitions etc.
That means almost anything: computers, repair tools, photographic and film equipment, musical instruments, industrial machinery, vehicles, jewellery, clothing, medical appliances and aircraft, race horses, old masters, prehistoric relics, ballet costumes and rock group sound systems are just some of the items that can cross borders duty-free and tax-free, thanks to ATA Carnets.
Note: ATA Carnets do NOT cover perishable or consumable items or goods for processing or repair.
Users of a Carnet
The ATA Carnet service is available to business and sales executives, exhibitors at trade fairs and traveling professionals, such as film crews, architects, artists, engineers, entertainers, photographers, sports teams and many more.
Large companies, small companies, individuals on the move - all can benefit. Sales representatives with valuable samples and people with professional equipment are the largest users.
Virtually all goods can be included on a Carnet.
Typical articles covered include antiques, machinery, machine-tools, catering equipment, clothing and footwear, toys, computers, office equipment, electric generators, electrical/electronic and scientific equipment, surgical and dental equipment, jewellery and articles of precious metal/stones, sound equipment, audio-visual, photographic and filming equipment, lasers, musical instruments and records, aircraft, films, motor vehicles, racing engine machinery, heating and lighting equipment, agricultural machinery, furniture, crockery, works of art, race horses, theatrical effects and sets, sporting goods, yachts, display stands.
Certain goods CANNOT be covered by Carnets, such as disposable items or consumable goods, including food.
How a Carnet works
The ATA Carnet is a simple international customs document with two sheets for presentation for each foreign country you wish to visit, and two sheets for presentation to customs when leaving and returning to your home country.
You give one sheet to the foreign customs officials when you enter their country and the other when you leave it. The same applies when exiting and entering your own country.
Contact the Chamber for further assistance with ATA Carnets.
