ATA Carnet - The Ins and Outs

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.

An ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that operates like a passport for your goods. It allows the temporary importation of goods in to countries that are part of the ATA Carnet system and avoids you having to pay unnecessary taxes or duties. It is a paper document which should be stamped by the Customs Authorities at the point where the goods enter and leave the EU.

• Commercial samples • Professional equipment • International trade fairs / exhibitions

Using a Carnet eliminates the need for a Custom declaration at border points and the deposit of a guarantee or bond in the country of temporary importation. Temporary admission under cover of ATA carnets applies to goods, which will be re-exported in the same state in which they were imported.

With the ATA Carnet, exhibitors, salesmen, artists, athletes, TV crews, technicians, event participants and business travellers may:

• travel through customs without paying import duties, taxes at each customs border office

• use one unified document for all declarations at home and abroad

• use one document for multiple destinations and trips throughout its one-year validity

• Goods which are temporarily exported for processing or repair •

Goods to be sold or hired out abroad for financial gain

• Perishable or consumable items (as they would not normally be re-exported) • Goods used as a means of transport

• The exportation of unaccompanied goods, or by post

• Equipment to be used for the construction, repair or maintenance of buildings or for earthmoving and like projects.

Yes, a security deposit is required. The amount of the security deposit depends on the type of goods being carried and the country/ countries they are going to. The security deposit is refundable once the Carnet is returned to the issuing authority properly stamped.

As of January 2021 we are now able to issue carnets for temporary movement of goods to the UK. Previously, goods have been able to move around Europe without an ATA Carnet thanks to the benefit of Free Movements of Goods, but as of 1 January, some form of temporary movement process will now need to be followed.

An ATA Carnet has typically been the quickest and simplest form of this. If you are going out to UK exhibitions, taking items to business meetings as commercial samples or if items are going out as professional equipment, for example, lighting and rigging for a band going on tour, you will need a carnet.

For more information or if you have any questions about the use of carnets then please contact Imelda t: 021-4530130 e: imelda@corkchamber.ie