What is an ATA Carnet?

By using an ATA Carnet to temporarily import your goods into other countries, you can avoid paying import duty and tax on those goods. This is because an ATA Carnet acts as a ‘guarantee’ to foreign countries/territories that all goods will be re-exported within a certain time-frame

• ATA Carnets simplify customs procedures and reduce border delays, making travel 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 can import and export your equipment as many times as you need to

ATA Carnets are not mandatory, but they can be vital in saving time and money if you are temporarily taking goods out of the UK. They can be used to take the following goods overseas:

• Professional equipment 
  This includes goods such as camera equipment, music/concert equipment, equipment for educational, scientific or cultural purposes, sporting equipment, and manufacturing equipment
• Commercial samples
  This includes any goods that you might want to take to show overseas customers or potential customers
• Goods that you need for display or use at international trade fairs or exhibitions

Consumable goods

Perishable, consumable and disposable goods cannot be listed on ATA Carnets. This includes items such as food, water, pens, pencils, leaflets, flyers, etc.

Saleable goods such as band merchandise are also not permitted on ATA Carnets.

Visit our guide to writing a general list for more information on what to include on your ATA Carnet general list.

Watch our quick guide to ATA Carnets to find out more about how they work and why you might benefit from using an ATA Carnet:

How much does an ATA Carnet cost? 

• Each ATA Carnet costs £420.00 + VAT for non-members and £241.50 + VAT for members. 
• Additional ATA Carnet security fees apply: these vary depending on what countries you are travelling to, how long you are travelling for, the total value of the goods you are taking, and the type of goods you are taking.
• Work out the cost of your ATA Carnet.

What information is needed for an ATA Carnet? 

When applying for your ATA Carnet, you will need to provide the following details about your company:

• Full company name
• Full company address

You will then also need to provide details about:

• Which countries/territories you plan to take your equipment/goods to
• How long you plan to take your equipment/goods for
• The type of equipment/goods you are taking (e.g. sports equipment or concert/music equipment)

And finally, you will need to provide a full, highly descriptive general list, detailing every item you are planning to take. Find out more about how to write a general list for an ATA Carnet.

How do I apply for an ATA Carnet?

To find out how to apply for an ATA Carnet using our online application portal, eCert, please watch the video guide below:

Not sure how to use your ATA Carnet?

Check out our step-by-step video guide on how to use your ATA Carnet:

Who is Business West and how can we help you?

Business West (also known as Bristol Chamber of Commerce) is a Chamber of Commerce and has been assisting businesses across the UK with their export documentation for over 200 years. ATA Carnets are issued by authorised Chambers of Commerce, like Business West and we are the largest issuing body in the region, with a team of over 20 documentation specialists.

Our ATA Carnet service includes: 

• A straightforward and easy-to-navigate application process
• Bespoke support and communication from our 20+ strong team of ATA Carnet specialists 
• Full ATA Carnet issuance and support
• Tracked postage/courier delivery (extra fees apply)

We also offer a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) service. This means that we can acquire a GMR on your behalf and get you over the border quickly.

If you have any questions about how to apply for an ATA Carnet, take a look at our ATA Carnet FAQs. Alternatively, you can contact us and we can guide you through the online application process. You can also reach us on  01275 373373.