Applying for an ATA Carnet
Find out what an ATA Carnet does and where you can get it from, when temporarily exporting goods from the UK.
When to apply for an ATA Carnet
An ATA Carnet is a document that works like a passport for goods. It is one of the ways to claim relief from import duty when you’re temporarily exporting certain goods to countries that are part of the ATA Carnet system. You must be intending to bring the goods back to the UK.
Some examples of goods you may temporarily export are:
- music equipment
- film and sound equipment
- education or science equipment
- commercial samples or exhibition goods for trade fair
You cannot process or repair the goods while they’re outside of the UK, except for routine maintenance to keep them in their original condition.
Find out about other ways you can claim relief from import duty when taking goods temporarily out of Great Britain.
If you’re temporarily exporting a UK-registered motor vehicle to use in certain countries, you can use a CPD carnet.
How an ATA Carnet works
Using a carnet means you will not pay customs charges. It also:
- replaces the customs documents you’d normally need to complete when clearing your goods through customs in exporting and importing countries
- removes the need for a customs declaration — goods that are imported or exported as freight may need to be included on form C21i in the Customs Declaration Service
You’ll still need to follow the rules for exporting your goods for:
- licensing controls
- restricted or prohibited goods
Who can apply for a carnet
Private travellers or businesses can apply for a carnet.
You can apply as either:
- the carnet holder
- a representative
Responsibilities of the carnet holder
You’ll be responsible for any customs charges that may become due if you either do not:
- use the goods or carnet correctly
- re-export the goods from the country you visit
Applying for your ATA Carnet
You’ll need to apply for a carnet with one of the Chambers of Commerce listed on the UK National ATA Carnet Organisation website.
You must give detailed descriptions of your goods so that customs authorities can identify them. You can include photographs of the goods to help with this. If the descriptions on the carnet are not clear, the importing customs authority can:
- refuse to accept the carnet
- delay releasing your goods until you make a declaration
You’ll also need to:
- list the countries the goods will be visiting and passing through in transit
- describe how you intend to use the goods in the countries they’re visiting
- give the number of consignments that will be used to return the goods to the UK
After you’ve applied
The issuing office will tell you:
- if they can issue a carnet for the temporary export you’re planning
- how much to pay
- the guarantee or security you’ll need to give
- when your carnet will be ready
Depending on the countries you’re visiting, you may be issued with a digital carnet or a paper carnet for countries that do not use digital ones.
If you’re issued with a digital carnet you’ll:
- receive a PIN (personal identification number)
- need to download the carnet in your ATA Carnet app on your phone
If you’re issued with a paper carnet, you can choose to have it posted to you, or you can collect it from the issuing office. You’ll need to check that the green front cover has been stamped by a customs official at the issuing office.
For more information about applying for a carnet read the ATA Carnet technical handbook.
Find out how to use your carnet.
Record keeping
Your digital carnets will be stored in your app. You need to keep your paper carnets for 12 months after they expire.
Updates to this page
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Guidance on digital ATA Carnets has been added.
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Belfast has been changed to the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the list of chambers authorised to issue ATA Carnets.
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A list of chambers authorised to issues ATA Carnets has been added.
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The 'Responsibilities of the carnet holder' and 'ATA Carnets' sections have been updated with more information.
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First published.