5 tips to help filmmakers apply for ATA Carnets

There is no doubt that most exporting businesses, including those in the film and TV industry, have found the last 18 months or so challenging, with the increased barriers and costs to doing trade overseas. The latest Quarterly Economic Survey, run by Business West, found that only 5% of the businesses affected by the implementation of the UK-EU Trade Cooperation Agreement believe that it has had a positive impact on their business activity one year after its application*. Since leaving the EU, film producers now need to consider EU customs regulations when filming in the EU, which has undoubtedly been a challenge to overcome.  

Business West provides a bespoke service to support film production companies to understand the new process and get their equipment safely to its destination. An ATA Carnet is a customs document that can be used when importing professional equipment temporarily into countries that are part of the ATA Carnet system. It means that filming equipment can pass through each country’s customs borders duty-free and provides the respective countries with a guarantee that duties will be paid if the conditions under which the goods are allowed into the country are breached. While ATA Carnets provide a solution, they can sometimes be seen as complicated, particularly if you haven’t applied for one before, so this article aims to give you some advice to make the process a bit easier. 

1. Prepare well in advance. Wise but obvious advice! Quite often an ATA Carnet will be left right to the last minute. This is not ideal from several perspectives. Currently, Business West and other Carnet suppliers are extremely busy. We are in the ‘perfect storm’ of a post-covid, post-Brexit flood of applications. Businesses, like yours, are keen to get back to business, and you need to keep this in mind. It is unlikely we will be able to turn your carnet around within 24-hours. It is likely to be 3-4 days. 

2. Check the country you will be visiting accepts ATA Carnets. Not all countries officially accept Carnets. For example, Caribbean islands like Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Bermuda do not accept Carnets. Click here for a list of countries that do accept ATA Carnets. 

3. Prepare your list of equipment in advance. Create a list (we call it a General List – see image below) of everything you will need to take on your shoot. This will be listed in our CSV template and uploaded to our online platform eCert. You will need to include the description (serial numbers are required in the goods description), number of items, weight, commercial value and country of origin (using ISO country codes). 

4. Register and apply for your ATA Carnet quickly and easily on our online platform eCert (use the QR code below or go to https://bit.ly/3O2qjlE) . This will take you through the entire process from start to finish. You can also get additional assistance on our website (businesswest.co.uk/carnets) where you will find useful blogs, FAQs and a video.

5. Present your Carnet to Customs for endorsement at every leg of your journey:  

A. When you leave the UK the front Cover of the Carnet, export voucher and counterfoil should be validated  

B. When you arrive at the destination country your importation voucher and counterfoil should be endorsed 

C. When you leave the destination country your re-exportation voucher and counterfoil will be stamped 

D. And when you arrive back at the UK your re-importation voucher and counterfoil will need to be validated  

Your vouchers must be completed and signed before you give your Carnet to the relevant Customs, they will then stamp the voucher and retain it for their record. They will also stamp and complete the matching counterfoil, which stays with the Carnet as a record for the traveller. If you are travelling to the EU via Dover you will need to go to an inland border facility to have your ATA Carnet processed (e.g. Sevington or Ebbsfleet).  If you are flying, make sure the Carnet is stamped by Customs before the goods are checked in (as Customs will need to see the goods). In most passenger terminals, Customs can either be found at the VAT reclaim desk or a dedicated Customs desk (or look for the red channel at arrivals).   

While the world of ATA Carnets might seem a little frustrating at times, taking extra time to prepare for and bringing extra costs, they can be an extremely useful tool, preventing delays at the border and in your filming schedule and preventing unnecessary duties and taxes from being paid. Hopefully these tips will make life a little easier in your scheduling and film shoot preparation.  

Taking your TV or film production abroad soon? Apply for your ATA Carnet here, or for more information about Business West ATA Carnets click here.

*434 businesses surveyed in South West region, Q1 2022