Our expert ATA Carnet team has gathered their top 12 tips for using ATA Carnets, for the 12 days of Christmas.

This is to help our customers with the process of applying for their ATA Carnets, which we know can feel challenging, particularly if you haven't done one before! So have a read if you are new to ATA Carnets. And of course, season's greetings from all of us at the Business West International Trade Services team. 

#1: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Plan ahead and apply for your ATA Carnet in good time! It can be more time-consuming than you think!

#2: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Check the countries you plan on visiting accept ATA Carnets. There are over 80 countries on the ATA Carnet scheme. 

#3: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Prepare the list of equipment that you plan to take on your ATA Carnet in advance, including a description, weight, commercial value, and country of origin using ISO country code. 

#4: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Get the best value with your ATA Carnet by including any country you may possibly visit in the next 12 months and include any possible items on your general list that you may want to take overseas. 

#5: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Your ATA Carnet cannot be used for any consumable items (e.g. disposable batteries, tyres) because these will not be returning to the UK. 

#6: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Before you leave for your trip, remember to check if you need a Personal Boarding Notification (if you are travelling by vehicle to Ireland) or a Goods Movement Reference (travelling by vehicle to the EU, e.g. via Dover or other ports). If you don't you could get turned away at the border!

#7: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Get your Carnet stamped at every customs border. If you don’t you might incur an import duty claim on your Carnet, as there won’t be proof that your equipment has left a particular country. 

#8: Tips for using ATA Carnets

If you don’t get your ATA Carnet stamped coming back into the UK, you should contact the National Carnet Unit to request a Certificate of Location.  

#9: Tips for using ATA Carnets

If you need to extend your ATA Carnet because you are approaching your expiration date, some customs authorities allow an extension of the temporary admission by accepting replacement Carnets. But you need to do this before your Carnet expires!  

#10: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Even though a Carnet is a cost-effective, convenient document to use for temporary export, it doesn’t remove your obligations to check whether you might need any other export documentation or licenses. For example, are you carrying restricted products for that country? 

#11: Tips for using ATA Carnets

If you lose your ATA Carnet while you are overseas you will need to apply for a substitute Carnet. Apply in good time before you leave the country so that you can get the proof of re-export required by Customs.  

#12: Tips for using ATA Carnets

Your Carnet must always be with the equipment. It is an important document, as important as your passport, so don’t lose it! When you get back to the UK, you need to send it back to Business West so that we can discharge it appropriately. 

We hope you enjoyed these 12 carefully curated tips and don't forget our ATA Carnet team is always on hand to answer your carnet-related queries and questions. Just drop them an email at carnets@businesswest.co.uk.