2.1. What countries can I use ATA Carnet for
A. Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Australia (includes Tasmania), Azores (select European Union as destination)
B. Bahrain, Belarus, Borneo (select Malaysia as destination), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana (select South Africa as destination)
C. Canada, Canary Islands (select EU as destination), Ceuta and Melilla (select EU as destination), Channel Islands, China, Chile, Corsica (select EU as destination)
EU European Union (when applying for a Carnet to any of the 27 Member States, select “European Union” as destination in the system). If the goods are being driven to EU and are going to any MS other than France, then the Holder should also apply for an additional visit + a couple of transits (in addition to their intended visit) in case both the French Customs and the Destination Customs decide to endorse the Carnet. Additional visits / transits are not required if flying.
F. Faroe Islands
FR French overseas departments and territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane and Reunion, New Caledonia and its dependents of Wallis and Futuna Islands, French Polynesia (includes Tahiti) as well as St Barthelemy, St Martin, Mayotte and Saint Pierre et Miquelon)
G. Gibraltar, Guernsey (select Channel Islands)
H. Hong Kong
I. Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast
J. Japan, Jersey (select Channel Islands)
K. Kazakhstan, Korea (Republic of), Kuala Lumpur (select Malaysia as destination)
L. Lebanon, Lesotho (select South Africa as destination), Liechtenstein (select Switzerland as destination), Luxembourg (select EU as destination)
M. Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira (select European Union as destination), Malaysia (includes Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak), Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco (select “European Union” as destination), Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco
N. Namibia (select South Africa as destination), New Zealand, Norway
P. Pakistan
Q. Qatar
R. Russian Federation
S. Sabah (select Malaysia as destination), Sarawak (select Malaysia as destination), Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa (includes SACU countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland), Sri Lanka, Swaziland (select South Africa as destination), Switzerland (includes Liechtenstein)
T. Taiwan (not covered by ATA Carnet; a separate Carnet is available from London Chamber), Tasmania (select Australia as destination), Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey
U. Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, USA (includes District of Columbia and Puerto Rico)
V. Vietnam
2.2 Important requirements for countries in the scheme
Bahrain – Trade Fairs and Exhibitions only.
Canada – Commercial Samples only. However, if you wish to have a Carnet for Professional Equipment category we will require a letter of indemnity on your company headed paper, accepting responsibility if the Carnet is refused.
Channel Islands – the Chamber is able to issue Carnets for companies based in the UK as well as Channel Island based companies if so requested (Carnets issued for Channel Islands companies must be validated by Channel Islands Customs before being used abroad).
China – All Carnets used in China must be registered on the Chinese customs database. For HAND CARRIED goods Carnet will need to be registered with CCPIT at the time of clearing Chinese Customs. For FREIGHTED goods Carnet will need to be pre-declared by the Chinese Customs Broker before goods arrive in China http://www.atachina.org/english/index.do
European Union – If you are travelling anywhere other than France, then include two additional visits and transits into your itinerary (as some MS can insist on stamping the Carnet in addition to France). If your goods are passing through the EU en-route to a non-EU country (i.e. you’re driving to a Trade Fair in Switzerland and pass through France), then you must include visits to both Countries + transits into the itinerary (i.e. 2 visits to EU, 2 transits to EU, 1 visit to Switzerland and 2 transits to Switzerland). Hauliers will need to ensure that you have the GVM and Kent Pass to enter the ferry port (Hauliers also must pre-notify EU Port of the arrival (i.e. PBN for Ireland, Portbase pre-notification for Netherlands etc).
India – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions; display or demonstration before any department of the Central or State Government or a Union Territory Administration; meeting conference or congress organized by any company or organization; Professional Equipment. All Carnets entering and leaving India must be registered on FICCI’s electronic system (done at the time of clearing Indian Customs).
Indonesia – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions and Professional Equipment only at present
Kazakhstan – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions and Professional Equipment only at present
Lebanon – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions and Professional Equipment only at present
Mexico – Mexican customs require a translation of the list of goods into Spanish. To facilitate importation holders must notify Mexican customs in advance through CANACO’s Website at www.carnet-ata.org
Mongolia – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions and Professional Equipment only at present
Morocco – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions only. However, we would accept a letter of indemnity on your company headed paper for other categories, accepting responsibility if the Carnet is refused
Pakistan – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions and Professional Equipment only at present
Qatar – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions only (Box C of the Carnet should state name of the Exhibition and the venue)
Russian Federation – Box B of the Carnet should state passport number + date of issue of the person travelling with the Carnet. It is advisable that the General List is translated into Russian to facilitate Customs clearance into the country. Also customers are advised to engage a local Customs Broker who will facilitate the Customs Clearance process
Spain – Carnets are compulsory in the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla
Tunisia – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions and Professional Equipment only at present
Turkey – Only named representatives listed in Box B. Represented by, on the importation and re-exportation vouchers will be allowed to sign the importation and re-exportation declarations in Boxes F. Turkish agent (or company / person that will be involved with the goods in Turkey) must be stated in Box B of the Carnet. It is advisable that the Holder carries a General List (in Excel format) on a USB drive as this may have to be uploaded into the Turkish Customs database
UAE – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions only
United States of America – Commercial Samples and Professional Equipment only at present. As of January 26, 2010, goods entering the United States via ocean vessel are required to have an Importer Security Filing (ISF) filed by an ISF importer. While two of the required data elements are from the ocean carrier, 10 others are required from the ISF importer. ATA Carnets are exempt from the ISF bond requirement. However, there are penalties that may be imposed for breaches of the ISF filing. CBP link USCIB link
VIETNAM – Trade Fairs / Exhibitions only
2.3 ATA Carnets for European Union
Hand Carried goods / goods in baggage (or goods driven in private vehicle):
There are differences in the interpretation of the rules by Customs in each Member State visited, therefore, we recommend one of the three following options when visiting EU with hand carried goods for a commercial activity*:
1. Contact the receiving Customs in advance and query if the Carnet will be required for the goods you are carrying in your baggage*
2. Get a Carnet for your 1st visit, use the red channel at the destination and ask the receiving Customs if Carnet will be required for future visits
3. Obtain a Carnet for the goods for each visit – this would provide certainty each time.
When adopting options 1 or 2 please share any information obtained with eCarnet@londonchamber.co.uk so that we can update this guidance for the benefit of future visitors to the EU. * Currently French Customs are requesting ATA Carnets for any goods used in a professional or commercial capacity (whether hand carried or not), hence, we would recommend getting a Carnet for EU for anyone passing through France or visiting France in a commercial capacity.
Note1 – there are indications that ATA Carnets may not be required for hand carried music instruments for the EU. Individual Customs officers are, however, within their rights to request security to be deposited for high value items. We suggest that you contact the receiving Customs in advance and check if there are any specific requirements for that Member State (or obtain a Carnet for the first visit and check the requirements when crossing the border (red channel)). If you are a member of FAC, ISM or MU, then you should speak to them first if you are planning to apply for a Carnet.
Note2 – Any musicians that may also be performing in non-EU destinations will most likely need a Carnet for those destinations (in which case it is also worth including EU into the Carnet itinerary).
Carnet Holders driving to EU (via Kent) in a personal vehicle or van must get their Carnet processed at STOP 24 both outbound and on return (other inland border facilities can process personal vehicles, but these sites are primarily geared towards freight traffic). Vehicles returning to the UK via Eurotunnel (Shuttle) will need a GMR as Carnets are processed at the Calais Eurotunnel freight terminal.
Eurostar (St Pancras) – Carnet Holders leaving UK by Eurostar should notify Border Force in advance by calling 0207 841 6410.
Goods shipped against transport contract (i.e. by haulier) or in a company vehicle:
We would recommend getting a Carnet for any goods that are being moved against a transport contract or tools of trade transported in a company vehicle.
The driver will either have to be listed in the Box B of the Carnet or carry a Letter of Authorisation signed by the director of the company stated in Box A of the Carnet (field showing the name of the authorised representative can be left blank for the Haulier to complete once they have allocated the driver). Carnet Holders using the Haulier must complete Exportation and Importation Voucher (section F) before the goods are collected from their premises and leave signature to the driver. Before heading back to the UK, Re-exportation and Re-Importation Vouchers should be completed with the signature left to the driver.
Driver must sign the Section F of the relevant Voucher before handing the Carnet over to the Customs.
Hauliers must get a GVM where applicable (see the last section of these FAQs)
Hauliers must use the pre-notification facility: (note that IBFs can only process Carnets for Dover, Euroshuttle and Holyhead – for other ports, go to the port directly and use facilities there)
Dover and Eurotunnel: (anyone driving in a personal vehicle or van must go to STOP 24 both outbound and inbound to get their Carnet processed). Vehicles returning to the UK via Eurotunnel (Shuttle) will need a GMR as Carnets are processed at the Calais Eurotunnel freight terminal.
2.4. Moving the goods between GB and Northern Ireland
Hand carried goods or goods driven in a personal vehicle:
These goods can be declared to temporary admission using a form C108 (with exception of horses intended for racing or commercial activities. Horses can go on an ATA Carnet) or Duplicate List (prepare 2 copies of the Goods List – including full description of items, quantities and serial numbers + a completed form C&E1246)
Goods moved by freight forwarders or FPOs:
These goods can either be declared via Customs Declarations or use an ATA Carnet
GVM is required for any vehicles over 7.5t (empty or loaded)
Goods moving to Republic of Ireland (via Northern Ireland):
We would recommend using ATA Carnets for temporary admission to ROI.
Any Carnets passing through NI en-route to ROI must be endorsed in NI (this will include Validation, Exportation and Importation). There are no Inland Customs Facilities on the ROI side after crossing from NI so it is important to get everything endorsed in NI.
NI Ports endorsing Carnets:
1. DAERA facility- Duncrue Street, Belfast, BT3 9BJ is manned 24/7 by BF staff and accommodates Carnets
2. Shed 66 at Larne Port is also manned 24/7 and is used for both inbound and outbound movements
3. Warrenpoint is the 3rd site processing Carnets
The above ports can be contacted by the following email bfportteam@homeoffice.gov.uk (pre-notification is not required)
NI Airports endorsing Carnets:
1. Belfast City operating hours are 4am – 10pm (Closed on Christmas day). Carnets + goods can be taken to Belfast Docks due to the proximity (or pre-notify BFPortteam@homeoffice.gov.uk to confirm if officers will/can be on site)
2. Belfast International is 24/7, but only has BF at the international arrivals hall. There is no presence at domestic arrivals, so advance notice to BFDutyOfficer@homeoffice.gov.uk is required (upon arrival, ask the information desk (located at domestic arrivals) to notify Border Force)
If the goods are returning to GB via NI – then re-exportation will also be done at NI (or ROI if flying from a ROI airport).
Goods owned by a NI company / individual and located in NI do not need a Carnet for EU.
NI residents or companies that require a Carnet for travelling to non-EU destinations must apply for a Carnet with the NI Chamber.