Do I Need A Carnet?

If you’re unsure whether you need an ATA Carnet for your next business trip or event, read on.

Moving goods temporarily from the UK? The ATA Carnet is often the best way to avoid import duty and VAT. It’s a real time and money-saver.

But is it necessary in your case? And are there exceptions? We explain below – in plain English.

What is an ATA Carnet?
An ATA Carnet is essentially a “passport for goods.” An ATA Carnet will:

Allow you to bring items into participating countries without paying import duty, VAT or posting a customs bond.
Be valid for 1 year and multiple trips.
Facilitate quicker customs clearance – so no queuing or red tape.

What types of carnets do I have to choose from in the UK?

In the UK, we can provide two main types of carnet:

ATA Carnet – This is the most frequently used carnet as it covers travel to the 80+ countries on the ATA Carnet scheme, which includes the EU, USA, Australia, Japan and many others. If you are travelling to (almost) any country that accepts carnets, this is the one you are likely to need.

EC/CPD/China-Taiwan Carnet – If your travels take you to Taiwan, they are a little different in that they only accept the EC/CPD/China-Taiwan Carnet.

This is a more specific document that is designed to fulfil Taiwan’s unique customs requirements and would only be required if you are sending your goods there.

The vast majority of UK companies and individuals will use the ATA Carnet when they travel abroad. If, however, your travels include Taiwan, you would simply request the alternate type. It is a similar process, serving the same function of making temporary export and re-import simple, but matched to the specific needs of your destination.

Do I Need an ATA Carnet?
If you will temporarily export goods from the UK for business/commercial purposes, your goods will return to the UK unused/unmodified, and you are going to a country that is part of the ATA Carnet scheme, you will likely require an ATA Carnet.

This includes (but is not limited to):

International trade fairs and exhibitions.
Professional equipment for overseas use (camera, tools, instruments, etc.)
Commercial samples for business meetings with clients.
Music, film, theatre, and sports tours.

Countries that accept ATA carnets?

ATA Carnets are accepted in most trading and travel countries around the world. This includes countries in Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

For a full list of participating countries, please refer to the list of official carnet countries. The biggest players in the list include:

All members of the EU
The United States and Canada
Australia and New Zealand
China, Japan, and South Korea
Switzerland, Norway and Turkey
South Africa and other African countries

Of course, the list is not all-encompassing. Some countries are not members, as well as those with special conditions and exceptions. If your itinerary includes multiple stops, it would be wise to check the eligibility for each of the countries before your journey.

You probably will not need an ATA Carnet if:

You are only travelling within the UK or to non-Carnet countries.
You will sell, give away, or use up the goods while you are away.

The goods are perishable, disposable, or subject to other restrictions.

You are shipping goods to be sold or kept in the country (i.e. permanent export).

If you answer “Yes” to all of the following, you likely need an ATA Carnet:

Will my goods return to the UK within 6-12 months?

Will they be in the same condition when they return?

Am I visiting an ATA carnet country?

Why Choose Carnet Wizard?
Local UK Expertise: UK-based team with years of carnet experience.

Quick Service: Same-day processing for last-minute trips. *

Clear, honest information: We double-check requirements, explain country-specific rules, and guide you step-by-step.

Recommended by UK companies – read our 4.7/5 Google Reviews.

*Same-day processing depends on the time of request and document completeness.

What If I don’t Use a Carnet?
Delays at customs and extra paperwork
Unexpected import duties and VAT
Potential seizure of your goods
Don’t risk your shipment – or your event. Find out if you need a Carnet and let us take care of the paperwork.

Is it Possible to extend a Carnet Past its Expiry Date?
No, an ATA Carnet cannot be officially extended past its expiry date. Its validity term is set in stone (usually one year) and cannot be prolonged by the customs administration.
In some cases, however, you may be able to request a “replacement carnet” before your current Carnet expires. Some foreign customs offices will accept such a request and essentially allow you to request to replace your existing Carnet with a new document. This allows your goods to remain in the carnet country legally until the new Carnet’s expiry date. It is critical, however, that you apply for this replacement before your existing Carnet expires.
Inform us as soon as possible if you think you may require more time, and we’ll advise on the options.

A replacement Carnet is an option if your overseas trip ends up being a little longer than anticipated. A one-year ATA Carnet has to be returned to the issuer within 12 months of issue, but sometimes it just happens that your equipment has to remain abroad for a longer period of time – maybe the trade fair was extended, or the film shoot went on a little longer than expected, or the new installation isn’t quite finished yet.

In that case, you may be able to apply for a replacement Carnet that effectively replaces your original Carnet, meaning that your goods can stay in the destination country without incurring any import duty or VAT, subject to the customs authorities in the destination country accepting the replacement Carnet. The replacement Carnet needs to be requested 30 days before the expiry of the current Carnet.

Carnet Wizard:

Check whether a carnet is necessary for your trip
Update you on eligible products and country-specific regulations or exemptions
Issue your carnet quickly (even on the day you apply)

It’s simple to get started– normally, you need only 4 easy steps to apply for a carnet:

Compile your information using our checklist.

Submit the required information.

Sign and complete the online undertaking.

Select your delivery option & make your payment.

Applications that are complete by 14:00 can often be issued and delivered in 1 working day. In a rush? For an additional fee, same-day service is available.

A couple of things you need to know:

You need to apply for a replacement Carnet before your original Carnet expires. Customs don’t take kindly to late applications!
Replacement Carnets are not accepted by all countries, and where they are accepted, there may be further conditions or restrictions.
The goods that are covered by the replacement Carnet have to be the same as specified on your original Carnet – so you can’t swap out or add new equipment.

If your original Carnet is about to expire, contact us in good time, and we’ll check the regulations in your destination country and advise you on how to go about the replacement procedure so that you remain on the right side of the customs authorities and avoid nasty surprises at the customs desk.

The countries participating in the carnet program are a long list, but it’s not exhaustive.

Some countries have special requirements or may not accept split shipments. (Split shipments are when you send some of the items from your General List separately.) Split shipments are usually allowed, but be aware that you can never add new items to the General List after the carnet has been issued.

Warning: Split shipments are not allowed to certain destinations such as Mexico, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Check the entry conditions for your destination country before you travel so that your shipment is not delayed at the border.

Your next step: Get Carnet Advice

Still not sure if you need an ATA Carnet? It’s always better to be sure before you travel. We can help – our advice is free and may save you from costly mistakes.

Check if I need a carnet | Contact Carnet Wizard | Request a Quote