ATA Carnets for the music industry

What are the key benefits of using an ATA Carnet to take your music and concert 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, and within this period you are able to import and export your equipment as many times as you need to

ATA Carnet for music and concert equipment

An ATA Carnet is often recommended for use when taking concert and music equipment 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 equipment overseas.

Business West provides a bespoke service to support musicians and touring companies taking their shows abroad.

What is an ATA Carnet?

An ATA Carnet is a physical customs document that aids the temporary export of goods from the UK into other countries that are part of the ATA Carnet scheme (see the full list of countries here). ATA Carnets are often used by musicians and touring companies who are taking shows abroad, as they allow for all instruments, microphones, cables, speakers, lights, set pieces and costumes 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 music and concert equipment abroad, you are not required to pay import duty. 

However, if you do not use an ATA Carnet to take your music and concert 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 music and concert 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 greatly.

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

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Frequently asked questions

What do I need to list on my ATA Carnet?

You will need to list every piece of equipment you plan to take abroad on your Carnet. This includes all instruments, microphones, speakers, lights, stage costumes, receivers, stands, stages and set pieces. 

However, it is important to note that do not list any disposable or consumable equipment on your Carnet, such as non-rechargeable batteries, pens, paper, glue, bin bags, water bottles, etc. Disposable and consumable equipment are not permitted on ATA Carnets, as they will likely remain in the country of import meaning duties and taxes on these items will be applicable. Additionally, you must not list any saleable products (such as merchandise and CDs) on your ATA Carnet. 

Please see our guide to writing a music/concert list for more information. 

Can I use my ATA Carnet to travel to any EU country? 

Yes. When you apply for your ATA Carnet, you will have the option to select ‘European Union’. If you tick this box, you automatically end up selecting all EU countries.

Can I use my ATA Carnet to travel to non-EU countries?

Yes, a Carnet can be used in numerous non-EU countries, which are fully listed here. 

Different countries and airlines have different requirements when it comes to taking your musical instrument abroad. Therefore, it is important to check the specific country requirements before you make your journey. For full details, visit the Musicians’ Union website.

What other documents do I need to take my music and concert equipment abroad?

When taking your musical instruments abroad, you need to obtain a Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC) for all instruments containing certain protected materials. These protected materials are outlined by CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) and include:

• Bubinga
• Brazilian rosewood
• Ivory
• Abalone

If your instrument requires a MIC, you must only travel through CITES-designated points of entry and exit, as customs authorities need to properly endorse the MIC. In the UK, these points include:

Airports:

• Belfast International
• Birmingham International
• Bristol International
• Cardiff International
• East Midlands
• Edinburgh
• Gatwick
• Glasgow International
• Glasgow Prestwick
• London Heathrow
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Southampton International

Ports:

• Belfast Seaport
• Dover
• Eurotunnel
• Felixstowe
• Harwich international
• Heysham
• Holyhead
• Immingham & Hull
• Liverpool Seaforth Container Terminal
• Larne
• London Gateway (Port of London)
• Pembroke & Fishguard
• Plymouth
• Poole
• Portsmouth International
• Southampton ABP
• Tilbury (Port of London)
• Tyne

For more details on MICs, visit the Musicians’ Union website.

To apply for a MIC, visit the Government website. The form you will need to apply for a MIC is FED0172 (imports and exports).