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The ATA carnet: for a smooth and intelligent prospecting outside Europe

An ATA carnet limits the hold-ups and the administrative rigmarole in the case of temporary import to a minimum. Are you participating in a trade fair, do you want to present prototypes to a potential customer or are you transporting your professional equipment? A single document will allow you to travel to all the member countries of the ATA chain thanks to a single internationally valid guarantee.

Consult our FAQ or our reference documents to answer all your questions.

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What is a temporary import?

Are you taking part in a trade fair, exhibition or sports competition? Would you like to present prototypes or trade samples to your foreign customers ? Are you going abroad to make a film or report? Do you have a renovation project outside Europe?

All of these situations are examples of temporary imports abroad. This specific customs procedure concerns goods imported into a customs area for a limited period of time and then re-exported in the same condition.

A temporary importation involves ad-hoc procedures. In fact, you must guarantee the duties and taxes linked to these products with the customs authorities of the countries concerned. You must also complete administrative formalities for each of the countries you visit. All of this can lead to unwanted complications, delays or unexpected costs.

The ATA carnet makes temporary exports easier, thanks to faster, simpler and safer customs formalities!

What are the advantages of an ATA Carnet?

The ATA Carnet will make temporary imports much easier by acting as a passport for your goods.

First of all, your passage through customs will be easier, since a whole series of information you may be asked to provide is recorded in a single document. It will also be faster, thanks to the elimination of a series of administrative procedures both at the time of import and re-export.

The unique guarantee represented by the ATA Carnet, which is valid internationally, is also more advantageous than the accumulation of guarantees that would have to be taken in each country visited. Finally, the ATA carnet allows for less risky temporary export, without the difficulties that can arise when you recover the deposit paid on entry into a country.

An ATA carnet for your projects in the UK

More and more of you are using the ATA carnet to bring your material to the UK. Is this your intention too?

See our page dedicated to the specific rules for a smooth post-Brexit use of your carnet!

Belgium is one of six pilot countries for the new digital ATA carnet

The eATA Carnet project aims to digitalise ATA Carnets and their lifecycle management process – from issuance and declarations to transactions and claims. The aim of the pilot project is to validate the digital ATA Carnet concept and demonstrate that all aspects of ATA Carnet lifecycle management can be carried out electronically. The ata carnet app enable carnet holders to carry the carnet and the carnet to be validated by customs. Customs at Zaventem and Bierset have already been trained to process the digital ATA carnet. The other pilot countries are: Canada, China, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. For more information, contact your Chamber.

Would you like to know more?

You are convinced by the possibilities offered by the ATA carnet, but you still have questions? It’s only natural. As an entrepreneur, you know that good preparation can prevent many problems. To help, we offer you a manual in PDF format, a video that points to you various elements that should not be overlooked, and an FAQ.

Do not hesitate to contact the Chamber of Commerce in your region, which would be happy to answer your questions. Have a nice trip!

If your are situated in the Grand Duché of Luxembourg contact the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

ATA carnet manual

Download this handy manual on ATA Carnets to keep everything on track (FR / NL).

The ATA Carnet: FAQ

Which countries accept the ATA carnet?

Nearly 80 countries are current members of the ATA chain, the majority of which are outside the EU. The United States, China, India and Switzerland are some of the most important countries. On the website of the International Chamber of Commerce you will find a full list of countries where an ATA carnet can be used.

What is the period of validity of the carnet?

The carnet has a maximum validity of one year from the date of issue. It entitles the holder to an unlimited number of entries in the affiliated countries during that year. Any product listed on the carnet must be returned to the EU before the date of expiry of the carnet. Products must leave the importing country before the deadline of re-exportation stated by the customs of import, since the authorised period of importation can be restricted by the customs of import. Customs shall record this in box 2 of the counterfoil on the importation voucher.

How much does an ATA carnet cost?

Costs of the ATA carnet vary depending on the value of the goods and the number of journeys. For more information, contact your Chamber.

Is it possible to have a carnet for horses?

Yes, if the carnet contains the following information:

name of horse
description of horse (e.g. “mare”)
passport number (as on a passport)
weight
value

For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce issuing the carnets to find out details for each country.

Can a replacement carnet be issued for fewer goods than on the original carnet?

No, it cannot.

What happens in case of loss or theft of the ATA carnet?

If the goods are still abroad, it is best to have a duplicate issued as soon as possible;
If the goods are in Belgium, the Chamber will provide a “certificate of presence” (including the general list of goods) to the holder requesting it to be completed as soon as possible by customs (goods must be presented to customs).

What if the goods are lost or stolen?

In principle the holder will then be liable for paying import duties and taxes to customs provided the goods have not left the country.
The holder can best make a declaration to a competent authority (e.g. the police) on site.
The holder can best notify customs when leaving the country and present the carnet to them.

What if the goods are sold on site?

In principle this is not possible (e.g. prohibited in the US). If this were to happen as a matter of exception, the holder is required to pay import duties and taxes. The ATA carnet must be presented to customs on site to settle the importation.
Customs will record the settlement on the re-exportation voucher of the carnet and give the holder a discharge.
The holder shall provide a copy of the discharge together with the carnet to the Chamber.

Can the goods remain in the country of destination longer than the period of validity?

A “replacement carnet” may be requested in certain countries. Normally a replacement carnet may only be issued before the expiry date on the carnet.
Contact the issuing Chamber of Commerce in time to find out whether such a carnet is possible!

Get your ATA carnet

You can ask your ATA carnet on www.e-ata.eu

Get your carnet Contact us

ATA carnet manual

Download this handy manual on ATA Carnets to keep everything on track (FR / NL).

The ATA carnet: for a smooth and intelligent prospecting outside Europe

What is a temporary import?

What are the advantages of an ATA Carnet?

An ATA carnet for your projects in the UK

Belgium is one of six pilot countries for the new digital ATA carnet

Would you like to know more?

ATA carnet manual

The ATA Carnet: FAQ

Get your ATA carnet

ATA carnet manual

Federation of Belgian Chambers of Commerce

The Federation

Chambers of Commerce

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