ATA Carnet FAQs

An ATA carnet is also referred to as a carnet, and the terms are often used interchangeably. The ATA carnet is an international Customs document which allows the temporary importation of commercial samples, professional equipment, or goods to be shown at an international trade fair/exhibition, into countries which belong to the ATA carnet scheme. For a list of countries, click here. Using an ATA carnet means that you will be able to get your goods out of, and back into the UK with no problems, and into and out of the countries that you are visiting without putting up a temporary import bond.

No – carnets are only compulsory in the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Mellila. However, if you wish to travel without a carnet, you must find out what the temporary import procedures are in the country that you are visiting. These may involve using agents, or lodging a cash bond with foreign Customs.

The ATA carnet is valid for one year. However, a foreign Customs authority may set a time limit for the re-export of your items, and it is vital that you adhere to this time limit. In all cases, the goods must be stamped back into the UK by the carnet’s expiry date.

Yes, you can have a carnet issued with enough vouchers for 12 visits. We can discuss with you the most cost effective way for you to apply for your yearly ‘worldwide’ carnet.

The London Chamber offers a standard (24 hour turnaround) issuing service, or an express service (which incurs extra charges). To have your carnet issued on the standard 24 hour service, we will require your kit list by 1pm. However, always call us if you are having difficulties getting your information together in time as we will do all we can to have your carnet issued on the standard service, so that you do not incur the additional fees for the fast service. Please note that very long carnet lists may need extra time to prepare.

Please click here and complete the form to request a quote. The Chamber’s fees are fixed but we will match any written quote for ATA carnet preparation or guarantee premiums.

Other than your company details and itinerary, the most important part of a carnet is the list of goods. Click here to see exactly what information we need, depending on the type of goods you are taking, there are a number of different ATA carnet categories.

Yes – Click here to see a list of all countries in the ATA carnet scheme with special requirements outlined.

The London Chamber will not allow items to be added to a carnet once it has been issued. However you do not have to take every item that is listed. You just have to make Customs aware as you go through that you do not have every item with you.

A carnet is strictly for temporary import into a foreign country. However in some circumstances foreign Customs may grant permission for items to be sold. Any duty or taxes that are applicable must be paid to Customs, and you must obtain a duty paid receipt that refers to the carnet number. The re-export counterfoil must be endorsed by Customs with the duty paid receipt number, and a with a note that the items have been sold. When you return the carnet to us we will also require the original duty paid receipt.

Customs are entitled to levy duty if goods remain in their country, no matter what the reason. If your goods are stolen, please obtain a police report and send it to us when you return the carnet to us.

This is referred to as a split re-export, in other words you return some good to the UK, and leave some behind in the foreign country to be returned at a later date. And the answer is Yes, but you must advise us when you first apply for the carnet that this is what you wish to do, so that we can ensure you have enough vouchers in the carnet. The goods which are coming back first will be re-exported from the foreign country and re-imported into the UK on the carnet, and then you must send the carnet back out to the foreign country so that it can be used to bring back the remaining goods. Split re-exports are not permitted in Bahrain, Philippines or UAE.

Yes but the Chamber will charge a one-off fee, for however many vouchers you require, providing the carnet is still within its validity date.

No – a carnet can be returned with unused vouchers in it.

No – everything that is listed must be returned to the UK in its entirety, in the same state in which it went out.

If any of your items remain in a foreign country, or overstay a time limit set down by Customs, or overstay the expiry date of the carnet, foreign Customs are entitled to levy import duties / taxes, and you are liable for these. The carnet provides a guarantee to the foreign Customs that these charges will be paid. So the London Chamber needs to have a security against each carnet which they can use in the event of the holder of the carnet refusing to pay. Our clients can use the continuing guarantee that we have already set up with the chamber, at a very competitively priced premium. Click here to find out more about the guarantee, and how we can help you to arrange your own guarantee on the rare occasions that a carnet cannot be put in our company name.

You can have a substitute carnet issued. Click here to find out how to apply for a substitute carnet.

No, but sometimes a foreign Customs authority will agree to a replacement carnet being issued, which will allow you to leave the goods in the foreign country after the expiry date of the original carnet. Click here to find out how a replacement carnet works.