What are the key benefits of using an ATA Carnet to take your horses abroad?

  • ATA Carnets simplify customs procedures and reduce border delays, making travel much more comfortable for you and your horses
  • ATA Carnets help you to avoid paying import tax and duties, making your journey more affordable
  • ATA Carnets are valid for up to a year in over 80 countries (see the full list of countries here), and within this period you are able to import and export your equipment as many times as you need to

ATA Carnet for horses

An ATA Carnet is often recommended for use by equestrians transporting race and event horses abroad. It is a physical document that you take with your goods when you are temporarily moving them out of the UK and into other countries.

Although an ATA Carnet does not alleviate the need for:

it does significantly reduce the difficulties and costs associated with taking equines abroad. It allows for horses and tack equipment to pass through borders tax and duty-free. Without an ATA Carnet, transporters have to pay a bond (reflecting the value of the horse and equipment), which can only be claimed back when the horse returns to the UK. This can make the customs process difficult, so you could risk delays while paperwork is resolved. 

Our expert team can help keep you in the saddle. At Business West, our International Trade Services team provide a bespoke and efficient service to help you process your documents quickly and with ease. 

What is an ATA Carnet?

An ATA Carnet is a physical customs document that aids the temporary export of goods from the UK and into other countries that are part of the ATA Carnet scheme (see the full list of countries here). ATA Carnets are often used by equestrians who are competing abroad, as they allow for all horses and tack to pass through customs tax and duty-free. 

ATA Carnets are cost-effective

Using an ATA Carnet can be incredibly cost-effective, as it saves you having to pay import duties to overseas customs authorities.

For example, if you use an ATA Carnet to take your horse abroad, you are not required to pay import duty. 

However, if you do not use an ATA Carnet to take your horse abroad, you will need to pay import duty in every country you travel to. The price of import duty varies depending on the country and the value of the horse and its tack. The higher the value, the more duty you will need to pay.

ATA Carnets are time efficient

Without an ATA Carnet, it could take you many hours to pass through overseas customs with your horse. This is because you will need to complete full customs declarations. Additionally, every country has different customs regimes, so the length of time it will take to pass through borders will vary greatly.

Using an ATA Carnet speeds up the process at the border, as all documentation is prepared and ready for customs when you arrive.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an ATA Carnet to transport a horse to the EU for competitions?

It is strongly recommended that you get an ATA Carnet to take your horse to the EU. Although it is not mandatory, it can greatly ease the process because it means you don’t have to pay duty fees or spend a long time negotiating with customs.

Can I use an ATA Carnet to take my horse to any EU country? 

Yes. When you apply for your ATA Carnet, you will have the option to select ‘European Union’. If you tick this box, you automatically end up selecting all EU countries.

Although an ATA Carnet can be used in all EU countries, you must still carefully plan your journey to and through the EU, as EU border forces require a customs declaration for horse and pony imports. It is also important to plan your trade route so that your horse can be inspected at an EU Border Control Post (BCP).

Can I use my ATA Carnet to travel to non-EU countries?

Yes, a Carnet can be used in numerous non-EU countries, which are fully listed here. 

Different countries require different accompanying documentation, and it is important to check the specific country requirements before you make your journey. For full details, visit the UK Government website.

Can I list more than one horse on my ATA Carnet?

Yes, you can list numerous horses on a Carnet. Just remember to provide the name, height (in hands), sex, colour, year of birth, and passport number for every horse. 

What do I need to list on my ATA Carnet?

When you apply for your ATA Carnet, you need to detail all the equipment you are planning to take abroad, as well as the horse itself. Therefore, you will need to provide the name, height, gender and passport number of the horse, as well as all its tack, including both the saddle and bridle, all stirrups, girths, martingales, and saddle pads. You will also need to list any extra equipment you will be taking, such as horse boots, horse rugs, headcollars, leadropes, buckets, haynets, riding boots, and helmets, etc. 

However, it is important to only list non-consumable items on the Carnet. This means things like feed, hay, etc. must not be included.

Please see our guide to writing an equine Carnet list here.

What other documents do I need to take my horse abroad?

There are numerous documents and procedures that are necessary to take a horse abroad. The exact documents that you need will differ depending on which countries you go to, but the main documents to look into are:

For full details on all extra documentation required to take your horse abroad, please visit the UK Government website.