The ATA Carnet is a vital tool for international business, facilitating the temporary movement of goods and saving thousands in duties and taxes. Starting the application process means prioritising a detailed, accurate checklist and, ideally, partnering with an expert to ensure your goods get their passport in time for departure.
If you are an artist, filmmaker, motorsports team, or business attending an overseas trade show, read below to learn how to start the ATA carnet application process and keep your international travels hassle-free.
What Is An ATA Carnet And Why Apply?
An ATA Carnet is a globally recognised document that guarantees temporary, duty-free admission of specified goods into a foreign country, provided they are re-exported within the carnet's validity period (typically up to one year, though shorter for certain goods or countries).
By using a carnet, you avoid the time-consuming and expensive process of lodging security deposits or posting bonds with foreign customs authorities every time you cross a border. This paper-based system makes the temporary transfer of goods more efficient and cost-effective.
Are Your Goods Eligible for a Carnet?
The application process for your ATA Carnet begins not with paperwork, but with verifying your cargo. Not all goods qualify for an ATA Carnet - the items must generally be intended for temporary use and must return in the same condition.
Acceptable ATA Carnet Goods
Professional Equipment - cameras, film gear, sound equipment, lighting, testing devices, specialised tools, and machinery.
Commercial Samples - items being shown to potential buyers, provided they are not intended for sale.
Goods for Trade Fairs and Exhibitions - booth materials, artwork, demonstration machinery, and items displayed at trade shows.
Other Specialised Items - motorsport vehicles for racing (not general road use), orchestral instruments, theatrical props, and live animals (e.g., bloodstock).
Non-Allowed ATA Carnet Goods
Consumables - items intended to be used up, such as stationery, brochures, food, beverages, and promotional handouts.
Auction Goods - items intended specifically for sale.
Goods for Processing or Repair - items that will undergo alteration abroad.
If your goods fall under the acceptable categories, you are ready to start the formal application.
The Step-by-Step ATA Carnet Application Process
While the paperwork can be complex, involving a specialised carnet service provider can simplify the journey into three core steps:
Step 1: Initial Contact and Quote
The starting point is contacting an issuing body or a specialist service provider like Carnet Wizard. At this stage, you can discuss your travel itinerary and the nature and value of your goods, and you’ll receive a free, no-obligation quote covering the necessary fees and the required security deposit.
Step 2: Documentation Submission
This is the most important phase. You must gather and submit all the required documentation, paying meticulous attention to detail. Any error on the customs forms or the goods list can lead to significant delays and potential fines at the border.
Required documentation includes the following:
An Itemised List of Goods
This is the heart of your application and must be incredibly detailed, as customs officers will use this list to physically check your items at every port of entry and re-export.
Using vague terms like 'kit' is usually prohibited - all components must be itemised separately.
Certain high-value items (e.g. filming equipment, vehicles) require extra detail. In our guide to ATA carnet goods, we provide a detailed breakdown of the information required for every class of items you could transport.
Purpose of Use
You must clearly state why you are temporarily transporting the goods. Common reasons include:
Trade fair or exhibition display.
Film, media, or commercial production project.
Product demonstration or temporary installation.
Traveller and Company Information
This section verifies who is responsible for the document and the goods. Include the full names (as per passport) for anyone who will be handling or presenting the carnet, the company name (if applicable), as well as driver names and vehicle registration if the goods are being transported by road courier or dedicated vehicle.
Travel Itinerary
Customs requires a complete picture of your journey to allocate the correct documentation pages, which includes travel dates, countries of departure and destination, as well as the entry and exit ports/airports.
Step 3: Processing and Delivery
Once all documentation is submitted and the necessary security is paid, the issuing body processes the application. With express services, a carnet can often be issued and delivered within 24 hours, and sometimes as quickly as three hours, ensuring your tight schedule remains on track. The final physical document is then delivered to your specified address or departure airport.
Get Expert Assistance From Carnet Wizard For A Seamless Journey
Don't risk border delays and severe penalties due to complex paperwork. Our expert ATA Carnet services guarantee accuracy and compliance, as well as express preparation, securing your "passport for goods" in hours.
Gain peace of mind with Carnet Wizard’s 24/7 support wherever your temporary export takes you.
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Fast Turnaround When You Need It Most With Carnet Wizard
The paperwork needed for a carnet can be overwhelming and complex, which is where carnet specialists come in. At Carnet Wizard, we pride ourselves on rapid services, where we dispatch a carnet within as little as a few hours.
From renewals and extensions to last-minute requests, talk to our professionals about your needs, and we’ll get right to it.
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