What are the key benefits of using an ATA Carnet to take your exhibition and display stands abroad?

  • ATA Carnets simplify customs procedures and reduce border delays, making travel with display stands and equipment more efficient and straightforward
  • 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, and within this period you are able to import and export your exhibition and display equipment as many times as you need to

ATA Carnet for exhibition and display stands

An ATA Carnet is often recommended for use when taking exhibition equipment and display stands abroad. It is a physical document that you take with your goods when you are temporarily moving them out of the UK and into the EU and other countries, and it significantly reduces the difficulties and costs associated with taking goods overseas.

Business West provides a bespoke service to support companies taking their display stands and equipment to exhibitions and shows abroad.

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What is an ATA Carnet?

An ATA Carnet is a physical customs document that aids the temporary export of goods from the UK. ATA Carnets are often used by companies taking exhibition and display stands abroad. 

ATA Carnets are cost-effective

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

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

However, if you do not use an ATA Carnet to take your display stands 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 total goods value. The higher the value of your display stands, 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 display stands. This is because you will need to complete full customs declarations, and border force may need to inspect your goods and decide whether to allow them into the country or not. Every country/territory has a different process, so the length of time it takes to pass through borders will vary depending on where you are travelling to.

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

Frequently asked questions:

Do I need an ATA Carnet to take display stands and commercial samples to the EU?

Although an ATA Carnet is not mandatory in any case, it is very useful for exhibitors taking display stands and commercial samples to the EU. Since new rules came into place in January 2021, moving goods between the UK and EU countries has become more complicated. ATA Carnets simplify this process, and alleviate many of the costs associated with the temporary movement of goods. 

Can I use an ATA Carnet to travel to any EU country/territory?

Yes. ATA Carnets can be used in all EU countries/territories. See the full list of countries on the ATA Carnet scheme.

Can I use an ATA Carnet to take promotional flyers and merchandise abroad?

No. ATA Carnets can only be used to take non-consumable and non-saleable items abroad. Any goods which are consumable and/or saleable are not permitted on ATA Carnets. This includes promotional flyers, posters, merchandise, water bottles, pens, pencils, and more.

How do I list my display stands and commercial samples on my ATA Carnet?

When listing your display equipment on your ATA Carnet, it is important to be thorough and provide adequate information to describe the goods. See an in-depth guide on how to write your ATA Carnet general list for exhibition and display stands.