This page has been designed to provide useful information to Border Force Officers when processing Carnets. The following guides and resources are available for reference purposes:
1. ATA Carnet Processing Manual (combined paper and digital Carnet guide)
2. Blank ATA Carnet Example (this can be printed for training purposes)
3. Border Force FAQs
ATA Carnet Digitalisation Project
United Kingdom started digitalising its ATA Carnet procedures in 2021 as part of the global initiative led by the International Chamber of Commerce and the World Customs Organisation. Border Force, HMRC and UKNATACO are currently working on getting the UK ports ready to start processing live digital Carnets from 2026.
eATA Project Timelines
UK is currently in the Preparation phase, which focuses on training Customs, getting the ports ready and testing digital Carnets.
We will enter the Transition phase in 2026.
How Will Digital Carnets Work
Digital Carnet functionality requires introduction of dedicated digital infrastructure for Customs and Carnet Users. Customs will use the Customs Portal (web-based app that allows processing of digital Carnet transactions) and Traders will use the ATA Carnet app (smartphone app which creates travel codes (QRs) for Customs to transact).
The process will look as follows:
What Happens When Digital Carnets Go Live
United Kingdom will implement digital Carnets in 2026, alongside the EU, Norway and Switzerland. The remaining countries are expected to complete their transition by the end of 2028. During this Transition phase, “digital” Customs may have to process both paper and Digital Carnets if the trader’s itinerary involves both paper and digital countries. Note that, in the context of the UK Carnet procedures, dual Carnet processing will only apply to UK issued Carnets on export from UK and return to UK (foreign Carnets will be presented either as paper or digital depending on whether the issuing country implemented digital functionality).
Dual processing scenario applicable to UK Carnets travelling to both paper and digital countries:
Digital Carnet Training Module for Customs
For Border Force / HMRC
Alongside the HMRC, we have produced a Digital Carnet Training Course which explains how to process digital Carnets and provides guidance on various scenarios Officers may encounter.
Note that the document must be saved to your local machine and opened as a PDF for the embedded links to work correctly. Click here or on the image to download the guide.
Border Force Officers can also refer to the Tutorial Videos below for guidance on how to process digital Carnet transactions (refer to the above Training Course if you require help with the Customs Portal or different problem scenarios):
Processing Instructions for UK Digital Carnets:
- How to Process UK Carnets – Validation
- How to Process UK Carnets – Exportation
- How to Process UK Carnets – Re-importation
Processing Instructions for Foreign Digital Carnets
- How to Process Foreign Carnets – Importation
- How to Process Foreign Carnets – Re-exportation
Contact us
Email: queries@uknataco.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)207 203 1714
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