What is an ATA Carnet? An ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that allows a traveler to temporarily import certain goods into a country without having to engage in Customs formalities generally required for the importation of goods, and without having to pay duty or value-added taxes on the goods. Specifically, ATA Carnets are utilized for the temporary importation of commercial samples (CS), professional equipment (PE), and goods for exhibitions and fairs (EF).
Why should one use an ATA Carnet? An ATA Carnet offers ease and simplicity for avoiding the Customs formalities involved in temporarily importing goods into the U.S.
and other countries. If one wishes to import goods without a carnet you will be required to follow Customs procedures established in the specific country for which you are requesting temporary admission of goods. Alternatively, the carnet offers the business
traveler the benefit of using a single document for clearing certain categories of goods through Customs in several different countries.
What procedure must one follow for a carnet? The carnet holder must present the goods and carnet to Customs to prove exportation. Failure to prove exportation on a carnet subjects the importer to liquidated damages equal to 110 percent of the duty and import tax. Goods imported under a carnet may not be offered for sale.
How long is an ATA carnet valid for?
An ATA carnet is valid for one (1) year from the date of its issuance. In addition, it may be used for unlimited imports and exports with participating foreign countries during the one-year period of validity.
ATA carnets can be used in the following countries:
- Algeria
- 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
- Greece
- Guadeloupe Bailiwick of
- Guernsey
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Ireland Isle of Man
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast 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. Barthelemy
- St. Martin, French part
- 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 & Futuna
- Islands
For more information on ATA Carnets do not hesitate to contact one of our import export attorneys.
