Tips and tricks to get your ATA Carnet application right on the first try

27th July 2022
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Our team has collated some tips for when you apply for an ATA Carnet. These should help you get your Carnet application on eCert, our online export documentation platform, right the first time. 

One of the main problems that customers have is getting their General List to upload to eCert correctly. The General List is where you are going to list everything (all the equipment, goods, or samples) that you will be taking on your trip overseas.

Below are some tips for getting your Carnet list to upload to eCert correctly: 

  • The signature uploaded onto eCert only needs to be the applicant, not the person travelling with the Carnet 
  • You should not add or delete any columns to your general list (the spreadsheet of items you will be taking with you on your trip), and always save as a CSV file 
  • There shouldn’t be any blank lines, or the system will think that this is an item with data missing 
  • All country of origins should be listed as two letter country codes 
  • The unit column should not have any data in it 
  • If you have any headings on the list, please write TRUE in the heading column to indicate that this is a heading 
  • The list will not upload if any item is missing a quantity, value or country of origin 

 

All Carnets can be used for up to 12 months but may only be insured for 2, 6 or the full 12 months. This determines how long you can use the Carnet for. 

You will find that most items can be listed on a Carnet, exemptions include consumable items.  

Other exemptions: 

  • Items for sale or hire – These items will not be returning, and therefore cannot be put on a Carnet 
  • Goods for processing or repair – As they will be brought back in a different state to how they left, they cannot be put on a Carnet 
  • Perishables & consumables – This includes mostly foodstuffs, but other examples include pens and non-rechargeable batteries 

 

Applying for a Carnet can feel like a complicated process, we hope these tips make your application easier and quicker. Please get in touch if you have any specific questions or check out our other blogs for more useful information on applying for Carnets: Carnets@businesswest.co.uk  

  • Apply for an ATA Carnet today

    Start creating and submitting your ATA Carnets today. To apply for your carnet, you'll be taken to our easy-to-use export documentation platform, eCert.

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  • Apply for an ATA Carnet today

    Start creating and submitting your ATA Carnets today. To apply for your carnet, you'll be taken to our easy-to-use export documentation platform, eCert.

  • ATA Carnet FAQs

    Our Carnet team have put together the most frequently asked questions they get asked about Carnets. Why not check them out to see if we can solve your question right now?

  • We, at CARS UK, have used the carnet team for more than 12 months now... what a fabulous service they provide. They are patient, efficient and knowledgeable. I’m aware they have been rushed off their feet with Brexit and the complications it's brought, but with their fantastic organisational skills, they have delivered a timely and effective service, which has saved my skin many times! Definitely a 5-star service – thank you team"
    Sukie Duhaney
    CARS UK
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