Faster. Cheaper. Friendlier. Smarter. We’re here to make ATA carnets simple and stress-free.
Faster. Cheaper. Friendlier. Smarter. We’re here to make ATA carnets simple and stress-free.
How to use an ATA Carnet (Step-By-Step)
IMPORTANT
For the benefit of Carnet Representatives and Holders, who will be responsible for presenting and managing the carnet at each stage of the journey:
Before You Travel – Validation
All ATA Carnets must be validated by HMRC / Border Force (BF) before first use.
This happens at the same time as the endorsement of the Exportation Counterfoil and Voucher.
Flying with goods? Present your goods and carnet at the customs desk before checking in.
Driving (Eurotunnel, Holyhead, Ro-Ro ports in Kent)? Visit an inland site to get your carnet validated.
Using hauliers/forwarders: Note that all safety & security declarations must be submitted to pass through the port.
In all cases, check that HMRC/BF endorses Box H on the green front cover – if not, the carnet will be rejected by foreign customs.
If the traveller name(s) in Box B do not match the person presenting the carnet, you must carry a Letter of Authorisation (signed by the person in Box J)
The ATA Carnet application requires a lot of data – one of the most important is the “general list”, which is an exhaustive description of the goods you’ll be taking on your trip. Your list must be clear and complete, because customs officers will use it to match your goods at various points in your journey. If the information isn’t there or isn’t correct, you could face long delays or even denial of entry.
How to Create Your General List
Important things to know
Cover every item: you must include all the items you intend to take on your trip, from high-value items to chargers and other accessories.
Be detailed: specify each item. If you list a “black cable”, it’s likely that the customs officer will consider that insufficient. A good description will be, for example, “3m black XLR audio cable, Neutrik connectors”
Include these at a minimum for each item:
Quantity
Full description (model, make and other identifying characteristics)
Serial numbers, where appropriate
Value: an accurate commercial value, which customs will use
Country of origin
Double check: it can be easy to leave things off your list, so make sure you go through everything you intend to take with you, even if it’s just a charger
Organise it in a table: it’s usually easier for you to create and for customs officers to read if your list is made in a simple table format. You can use Excel or Word for this, as it will be imported into your application form.
If you have questions about what’s required or you would like to review an example before you start or complete your application, please see our general list guide.
Key Stages of Carnet Use
Exportation – Temporary UK goods leaving the UK.
Importation – Entry into a carnet country, for temporary admission.
Re-exportation – Temporary export from that country, with the goods.
Re-importation – Goods brought back to the UK.
Transit – Travelling through one carnet country in order to reach another carnet country
(not common, but can e.g. apply when driving through the EU to reach Switzerland).
Note: Changing flights during a journey is NOT considered transit
Can I Sell Goods Declared on an ATA Carnet?Selling Goods Abroad – Not Permitted
Goods you list on your ATA Carnet must come back to the UK in the same condition as when they left. The ATA Carnet agreement does not permit you to sell, give away or otherwise dispose of goods overseas.
If a listed item is missing when you return, and has been sold, lost or given away, you risk incurring penalties or charges from foreign customs and HMRC. The rules are strictly enforced, with countries such as France, Switzerland and the USA being the most rigorous in their approach.
Bottom line: Treat carnet goods like a boomerang, they have to come back to where they started from.
Using the Vouchers and Counterfoils
Vouchers – Completed by the Representative/Holders, detached by customs officials, and serve as the customs declaration.
Counterfoils – Completed by customs, to provide your receipt/audit trail for each declaration.
At the Border
a) Yellow Exportation (UK Exit)
Completed by HMRC/BF, at your UK office of exit (including inland sites).
Representative must declare the items in Box F, then sign in the presence of customs.
HMRC/BF will endorse Boxes 1–6, then stamp/sign Box 7.
HMRC/BF endorsement must match the goods listed on the voucher.
b) White Importation (Foreign Entry)
Completed by the representative + foreign customs.
Customs will record number of items in Box 1, complete Boxes 2–7, then stamp/sign Box 8.
Restricted re-export date may be entered in Box 2 – ensure you leave before this date, or apply to that country’s customs for an extension.
c) White Re-Exportation (Foreign Exit)
Completed by the representative + foreign customs.
d) Yellow Re-Importation (UK Return)
Completed by the representative + HMRC/BF.
Declare the items in Box F, sign in the presence of customs.
HMRC/BF will endorse Box H, and remove the voucher.
Points to Remember
Do not lose your carnet – if your carnet is lost, you will need to order a replacement (“substitute document”).
You can only travel to countries listed on the green front cover.
Yellow vouchers/counterfoils = UK HMRC/BF use only.
White vouchers/counterfoils = foreign customs use only.
All goods which are declared on export must return to the UK, before carnet expiry.
Ensure the number in Box 1 on counterfoils matches the details on the voucher exactly.
Do not exceed any restricted dates (found in Box 2 on import counterfoils).
Not all customs offices will be open 24 hours per day/7 days per week – always check availability well in advance (at least 24 hours before you depart).
Failure to obtain a carnet stamp at each stage may result in payment of duties, penalties or even customs claims, which can be made up to 24 months after issue.
After the Trip
Make copies of all pages (including stamped ones) for your own records email to support@carnetwizard.com.
Return the original carnet to Carnet Wizard once it has expired, or once all trips have been completed.
Send by tracked mail to:
Carnet Wizard Ltd (Returns)
Per instruction in the carnet pack
or email support@carnetwizard.com to arrange for a collection.
Quick Checklist for Carnet Users
Carnet validated by HMRC/BF before first trip
All vouchers completed and signed at each stage
Counterfoils stamped, and details match
No restricted dates exceeded
All goods accounted for on re-import
Carnet returned to Carnet Wizard after completion
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows the temporary importation of goods without paying duties and taxes.
What goods can be exported on an ATA Carnet?
You can use an ATA Carnet to temporarily export all kinds of goods from the UK, duty and tax-free, when going overseas. Some of the most common items include:
Professional and Technical Equipment
Perfect for businesspeople heading overseas – whether you’re a photographer taking your cameras and lenses, a musician travelling with instruments, a sports team taking sports equipment, a scientist or teacher with specialist equipment, or a manufacturer demonstrating a piece of machinery, a carnet can be used for your equipment.
Commercial Samples
If you’ll be demonstrating or otherwise displaying products to clients, distributors, or partners on your trip (clothing samples, electronics, other goods), these can qualify as commercial samples under the carnet scheme.
Trade Show and Exhibition Goods
Goods that you wish to exhibit or use at international exhibitions, conventions or trade fairs can be included on a carnet – this can make customs declarations on both entering and exiting countries much easier for exhibitors and organisers.
Note: Consumable, disposable, or perishable goods cannot be covered by an ATA Carnet, so you should avoid putting things like snacks, bottled water, leaflets, or giveaway pens on your forms. Items intended for sale (such as merchandise) also do not qualify.
If you’re ever in any doubt as to whether a particular good can be temporarily exported on an ATA Carnet, check with your issuing organisation before you travel.
What items cannot be included on an ATA Carnet?
The following items cannot be included on an ATA Carnet. Any perishable, consumable, or disposable goods, including food and bottled water, or pens, pencils, and leaflets that have been printed, are all examples of items that can’t be included on a Carnet. Goods that are for sale during your visit (e.g., t-shirts, posters, other band merchandise) are also not allowed. The Carnet is only for items taken abroad for temporary use and will be returned to the UK; it cannot be used for items that will be given away, sold, or used up while abroad.
How to apply for an ATA Carnet
When you are ready to apply for your ATA Carnet, you’ll need to provide the following information:
Business Details: Your company name and registered address.
Route: The countries/territories that you plan to travel to with your goods.
Length of Stay: The number of days you expect your equipment or goods to be outside of the UK.
Description of Goods: The kind of goods you’ll be travelling with (such as camera equipment, trade show samples, sporting equipment).
In addition to the above, you will also need to provide a detailed general list of everything you plan to take. Customs officers use this list to identify your items at every border check, so make sure you are as specific as possible in your descriptions – provide serial numbers, model names, measurements and other details wherever you can.
The more effort you put into your general list now, the quicker you’ll be through the customs checks. If you need additional assistance with creating your general list, take a look at our guide to general lists for tips and templates.
The full-service we offer for ATA Carnets:
Step-by-step guidance for application process
The carnet process is as simple as possible, with straightforward guidance and help to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Experienced team, communication & advice
Questions answered, issues resolved, updates provided. Our experienced team of specialists are on hand throughout the process.
Completion & printing of your ATA Carnet
We complete and print your ATA Carnet in a professional format. All information will be checked for accuracy by our experienced team.
Optional tracked posting or courier delivery
We will post your carnet, with tracked postage, or deliver it by courier for your peace of mind. (Please note extra charges apply.)
Goods Movement Reference (GMR) service
We will issue a GMR on your behalf, so you don’t have to hang about at border crossings.
If you are traveling internationally with goods or equipment that you plan to import temporarily, you may need an ATA Carnet. This customs document allows you to bring items into a foreign country without paying duties or taxes, provided you plan to return them to your home country.
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document for the temporary importation of goods without paying duties and taxes.
Learn More
Do I need an ATA Carnet?
If you are traveling internationally with goods or equipment and plan to import them temporarily, you may need an ATA Carnet. An ATA Carnet is a customs document that allows you to bring items into a foreign country without paying duties or taxes, provided you return them to your home country.
Why use an ATA Carnet?
Whether you are a business owner, an artist, or a member of a touring production, an ATA Carnet can save you both time and money when transporting goods across borders. The carnet makes customs procedures simpler and helps you avoid paying import duties or taxes in each country you visit (as long as you re-export the goods within the required timeframe). The ATA Carnet is a worldwide “passport for goods” that is trusted by everyone from film crews and engineering companies to musicians and exhibition organizers.
ATA Carnets are accepted in over 80 countries. They are ideal for:
Professional equipment (cameras, musical instruments, laptops)
Commercial samples and prototypes
Goods for trade fairs, exhibitions, or sporting events
Using a carnet also means less paperwork and a lower risk of border delays, so business trips, tours, and events will run more smoothly.
How to use an ATA Carnet
Our experts guide you step-by-step through the carnet process, from application to renewal.
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows you to temporarily import goods without paying duties and taxes.
Learn More
Benefits of an ATA Carnet
Quick customs clearance: Accelerate border crossings with smoother customs procedures, less paperwork, and a way to avoid border delays.
Save money: Keep your travels and projects affordable by temporarily importing goods without paying import tax or duties with an ATA Carnet.
Flexibility and convenience: An ATA Carnet is valid for up to 1 year in over 80 countries and allows multiple imports and exports of your equipment during that time.
Get started with ATA Carnets.
Our ATA Carnet experts will guide you through every step of the carnet process, including application and renewal.
Should I get an ATA Carnet?
When traveling internationally with goods or equipment that you will temporarily import, you may be required to use an ATA Carnet. This customs document lets you bring items into a foreign country without paying duties or taxes if you return them to your home country.
Enjoy competitive pricing on our carnet services without compromising on quality or efficiency.
ATA Carnets can be used for entry into 87 countries and territories that are part of the ATA Carnet scheme—including all EU member states and many other major trading nations worldwide. Whether you’re headed to the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, or South Africa, the ATA Carnet streamlines temporary imports for business, exhibitions, and more.
Enjoy competitive pricing on our carnet services without compromising on quality or efficiency.
The cost of an ATA Carnet varies depending on the value of the goods being transported and the specific services required. At Carnet Wizard Limited, we offer competitive and transparent pricing tailored to your needs. Please contact us for a personalized quote.
Count on our knowledgeable team to deliver reliable and timely support, so you can focus on your business.
How do I apply for an ATA Carnet?
Applying for an ATA Carnet is easy and can be done in just a few steps.
Submit your carnet list to us, and we will prepare the ATA Carnet application on your behalf to make things as easy as possible.
Provide details about your journey, a complete list of goods you’re taking, any transit points, final destinations, and dates of travel.
Be sure that all descriptions and quantities match the supporting documents you upload.
Email us supporting documents
Invoices or other supporting paperwork may be requested (eg, proof of ownership). These will be used to identify your goods at customs.
We will review and submit the application.
We double-check the information for accuracy to avoid any discrepancies that could delay your approval and cause problems at the border.
Pay the necessary fees.
Application fees must be paid. Most applicants will be able to use a credit or debit card.
Your Carnet will be posted/couriered to you
Once your application has been approved, your ATA Carnet will be issued and sent to you (or collected, if you prefer).
Should you have any questions or need support, our support team will be on hand by phone or email to guide you through the ATA Carnet process step by step.
ATA Carnet FAQs
ATA Carnets can seem a bit intimidating when you first approach them, and some questions are asked regularly. We have picked out the most common FAQs that our team comes across to try to give some simple answers for your convenience:
Can I include any goods on an ATA Carnet?
Professional equipment, commercial samples, exhibition samples, and fairground articles can all be covered. Perishable goods and consumables are not acceptable.
How long is a carnet valid for?
Typically, ATA Carnets are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Can I use a carnet to travel to more than one country?
Yes, as long as all the countries you are visiting are named on the green cover of the carnet.
What should I do if I lose my carnet abroad?
Arrange for a replacement carnet or substitute document as soon as possible.
Will I be able to clear all customs offices with carnets?
No, not all customs offices are open at all times, so make sure you double-check before you arrive.
Am I exempt from all import taxes and duties?
Yes, the ATA Carnet is there to exempt import taxes and duties when you re-export the goods.
What if I am unable to return the goods within the carnet’s period of validity?
Notify the foreign customs authority before the carnet expires. If the delay is unavoidable, you may need to apply for an extension to the carnet period of validity.
Got more questions? Head over to our full ATA Carnet FAQs or contact the team for tailored advice.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help with all your customs and logistics needs.
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