Documentation Services - ATA Carnets
WHAT IS AN ATA CARNET?
- The ATA Carnet is a temporary admission document which acts as a “passport for goods”.
- Using an ATA Carnet cuts out red tape at border points avoiding cash deposits and other delays in the country of temporary importation. It can be used for multiple trips and is valid for up to one year.
- The ATA Carnet provides a guarantee to the Customs of a foreign country that all duties, taxes etc. will be paid to them if the conditions are breached.
- The issuing Chamber must receive security from the Carnet user. This security must be for an amount equal to the highest rate of duty or taxes applicable. It will disregard any preferential tariffs that may be in force at the time as Customs authorities may themselves ignore such preferential rates.
WHAT CAN AN ATA CARNET BE USED FOR?
You can use a Carnet for almost anything; computers, musical equipment, race horses, electrical equipment, machinery and so on. Your goods must be categorised under one of these three headings:
- a) Commercial samples
- b) Exhibition use / trade fair (or similar events)
- c) Professional equipment
A CARNET MAY NOT BE USED FOR:
- Goods to be hired out or sold for financial gain
- Perishable or consumable items (as these would not be re-imported)
- Goods which are for processing or repair
- Goods on which a CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) refund will be claimed
- Goods used as a means of transport (cars, motorcycles etc)
- Equipment to be used for construction, repair or maintenance (of buildings/earthmoving projects)
WHAT COUNTRIES CAN AN ATA CARNET BE USED FOR?
A carnet can be used for any of the following countries:
Albania (AL) |
Algeria (AZ) |
Andorra (AD) |
Australia (AU) |
Bahrain (BH)* |
Belarus (BY) |
Bosnia & Herzegovina (BA) |
Brazil (BR)* |
Canada (CA) * |
Canary Islands (IC) |
Chile (CL) |
China (CN) * |
Cote D’Ivoire (CI) |
European Union (EU) |
Gibraltar (GI) |
Hong Kong (HK) |
Iceland (IS) |
India (IN)* |
Indonesia (ID) |
Iran (IR) |
Israel (IL)* |
Japan (JP) |
Kazakhstan (KZ) |
Korea, Republic of (KR) |
Lebanon (LB) |
Macao (MO) |
Madagascar (MG) |
Malaysia (MY) |
Mauritius (MU) |
Mexico (MX) * |
Moldova (MD) |
Mongolia (MN) * |
Montenegro (ME) |
Morocco (MA) * |
New Zealand (NZ) |
North Macedonia (MK) |
Norway (NO) |
Pakistan (PK) * |
Qatar (QA) * |
Russia Federation (RU) |
Senegal (SN) |
Serbia (CS) |
Singapore (SG) |
South Africa (ZA) |
Sri Lanka (LK) |
Switzerland (CH) * |
Taiwan (TW) * |
Thailand (TH) |
Tunisia (TN) * |
Turkey (TR) * |
UAE (AE) * |
Ukraine (UA) |
USA (US) * |
|
*ADDITIONAL COUNTRY NOTES
Bahrain (BH) – Category B only |
Brazil (BR) – Category B & C only. Carnet issuance is limited to the States of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo only. Only freighted goods can be taken to Brazil (hand carried goods will not be admitted). Brazilian Customs require an airway Bill or B/L (in conjunction with the Carnet) for customs Clearance. |
Canada (CA) – Category A only, letter of responsibility required on your company’s headed paper for category C. |
Canary Islands (IC) – Compulsory in Canaries, Ceuta and Melilla. |
China (CN) – All carnets used in China must be registered with the Chinese customs database by contacting CCPIT/CCOIC before clearing the goods. |
European Union (EU) – Add 40% |
India (IN) – Category B for ITPO approved Trade Fairs/Exhibitions. (Invite needed.) Category C for maximum 2 months only. |
Israel (IL) – Name of final user to be added in box B. |
Kazakhstan (KZ) – Category B & C only at present |
Lebanon (LB) – Category B & C only |
Mexico (MX) – Translation of goods into Spanish required. Notify Mexican customs before departure through CANACO website. |
Mongolia (MN) – Category B & C only |
Morocco (MA) – Category B only, letter of responsibility required on your company’s headed paper for other categories. |
Pakistan (PK) – Category B & C only |
Qatar (QA) – Category B only. |
Russian Federation (RU) – Letter of responsibility required as Carnets are not usually issued to Russia. Passport number and date of issue of Authorised Representative must be shown in Box B. Two extra pairs of transit vouchers required. |
Switzerland (CH) – 3 pairs of transit vouchers per trip required. |
Taiwan (TW) – EC/CPD/China-Taiwan Carnet needed. |
Tunisia (TN) – Category B & C only. |
Turkey (TR) – Turkish agent must appear in box B. Only named representatives / agents listed in box B will be allowed to sign the importation and re-exportation declarations in boxes F. |
UAE (AE) – Category B only. |
USA (US) – Category A & C only. We cannot guarantee the acceptance of a Carnet covering vehicles. |
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The Carnet is a simple international Customs document with vouchers for presentation to each country you visit. The yellow ‘exp’ is for exportation out of the UK, white ‘imp’ for importation into your destination country, white ‘re-exp’ to come out of your destination country and yellow ‘re-imp’ for importation back into the UK. You may also have blue ‘tra’ vouchers, which are required for transit or exhibition purposes. Customs will keep these vouchers and stamp the relevant counterfoil, and when you have completed your trip you will return all the stamped counterfoils to us plus any remaining vouchers you have not used.
WHAT ARE THE CHARGES FOR ATA CARNETS?
ATA Carnet costs consist of two parts:
- The issuing fee based on member & non-member rates
- The carnet premium fee, which can take one of three forms:
- Carnet security scheme – this gives you instant cover, no freezing of funds and a minimum premium fee applicable.
- Cash or Bankers Draft – this must be equal to the highest rate of duty for the applicable countries. Please refer to the security rate chart.
- Bank or insurance company guarantee. (Banks must comply with certain criteria - please refer to Bank Guarantee Form) Banks we can currently accept guarantees from are: Bank of Scotland plc, Barclays Bank plc, HSBC Bank plc, Lloyds TSB Bank plc, Santander UK plc, Standard Chartered Bank and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
Carnets can be applied for online.
Existing Customers: log into your e-Cert account
New Customers: go to the link below and complete the simple registration process:
Hull and Humber Chamber ATA Carnet Registration
To obtain details of current prices, please contact Export Documentation Helpdesk
Our system will allow you to complete and apply for the ATA Carnet application, and obtain quotes on costs. Once issued, the carnet will be posted to you.
Guidance Notes on How to Use an ATA Carnet
Quick guide to ATA Carnet- Do's & Don'ts here