ATA Carnets for the film and TV industry

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

• ATA Carnets simplify customs procedures and reduce border delays, making travel much 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 in over 80 countries, and within this period you are able to import and export your equipment as many times as you need to

ATA Carnet for film and TV

An ATA Carnet is often recommended for use by film and TV companies shooting 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, and it significantly reduces the difficulties and costs associated with taking cameras, lighting, microphones, set pieces, etc., overseas. 

Business West provides a bespoke service to support film and TV production companies shooting abroad.

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. ATA Carnets are often used by film and TV production companies who are shooting abroad, as they allow for all cameras, microphones and other filming equipment 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 cameras and microphones abroad, you are not required to pay import duty. 

However, if you do not use an ATA Carnet to take your filming equipment 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 goods value. The higher the value of the equipment, 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 filming equipment. This is because you will need to complete full customs declarations, and customs officers may need to inspect your goods and decide whether to allow them into the country or not. Every country has different customs regimes, so the length of time it will take to pass through borders will vary.

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

Freuqently asked questions

Do I need an ATA Carnet to take my filming equipment to the EU?

Yes, it is recommended that you obtain an ATA Carnet to take your equipment to the EU. You should prepare all of your equipment in advance, and apply in good time, especially if there is a lot of it.

What do I need to list on my ATA Carnet?

You will need to list every piece of equipment that you are planning to take abroad on your Carnet. This includes all cameras, lenses, microphones, boom poles, lights, cables, adaptors, tripods, drones, and props, etc. 

However, it is important to note that you must not list any disposable or consumable equipment on your Carnet, such as non-rechargeable batteries, pens, paper, glue, bin bags, etc. These are not permitted on ATA Carnets, as there can be no guarantee that they will definitely return to the UK.

Please see our guide to writing a general list for a film and TV Carnet for more info. 

How does the ATA Carnet process work?

ATA Carnets are physical customs documents that need to be processed, printed and sent out by authorised issuing bodies, like Business West. This means that you need to be prepared and apply for your Carnet well in advance of your departure date, as our specialist team will need an adequate turnaround time to prepare your Carnet and post it out to you.

• First of all, you need to apply for your ATA Carnet via our online portal, eCert
• Once you have submitted your ATA Carnet application, a member of our team will process the Carnet for you, and they will get in touch with you if they have any queries or amendments that need to be made
• As soon as the ATA Carnet has been processed by our team, they will print it and post it out to you (or, if you are nearby, you can collect it from our office)
• Once the ATA Carnet is in your possession, you must sign the front cover in box J 
• You must present your signed ATA Carnet to UK customs upon your exit from the UK
• You must present your ATA Carnet to foreign customs when you enter or transit through a new country
• You must then present your ATA Carnet to forgein customs when you exit that country
• You must present your ATA Carnet to UK customs when you return to the UK

It is imperative that you present your ATA Carnet every time the equipment is imported into, exported out of, or transitted through a country.

Commenting on the support they have received in completing Carnets, Lynn Sinclair, Head of Production at Plimsoll Productions said: 

“Business West has been very helpful, and the team are often able to turn around Carnets in less than 24 hours which is crucial for us with last-minute changes to kit and equipment. It makes our lives a lot easier knowing we can send over the information at the last minute.” 

When asked about the advice she would give to companies looking to use Carnets she added: 

“It’s important to make sure the Carnet information is accurate as everyone has heard of a horror story where a Carnet has been incorrectly executed and the production company has had to pay a huge fee. Business West ensured all the information was accurate, which meant we avoided paying duties and our kit arrived on time.”