Customs Convention on the A.T.A. Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods

General Information

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What is it about?

The A.T.A. Convention allows the free and temporary movement of goods into a customs territory with minimum customs formalities. The term A.T.A. is derived from a combination of the French (admission temporaire) and English (temporary admission). An A.T.A. Carnet is a standard international customs document for the temporary duty free importation of goods. The A.T.A. Carnet acts as a guarantee that all customs duties and import taxes will be paid should the item not be re-exported within a mandated time period, at most one year. As they are an accepted customs document, the amount of import and export paperwork is significantly reduced. The A.T.A. Carnet also serves as an exemption for taxes normally required in countries of destination or transit. A.T.A. Carnets are used for commercial samples to be demonstrated, the temporary import of professional equipment necessary to perform a task, the import of goods for display or use at exhibitions, fairs or meetings, as well as for goods with an educational, scientific or cultural character. A.T.A. Carnets specifically cannot be used for perishable products. National chamber of commerce associations that are approved by Customs are authorized to issue ATA Carnets. The associations must also be affiliated with an international guaranteeing chain administered by the World Chambers federation headquartered at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.

Why is it relevant?

By allowing for rapid movement, the A.T.A Carnets benefit both traders as well as customs officials. The carnet is accepted in over 60 countries and saves costs in clearing goods, as well as inspires increased transport across borders. The A.T.A. can be used by all professions having an international activity (industry, businessmen, artists, sportsmen, etc.).

Additional Information

In 2000, nearly 200,000 A.T.A. carnets were issued worldwide for goods with a value of nearly 12 billion dollars.

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