Digital Carnets
Digital Carnets are expected to go live in June 2026 for the UK, EU, Switzerland and Norway which means no more paper or manual Carnets. Instead, your Carnet will be in the palm of your hand in the ATA Carnet mobile app.
ATA Carnet
What is an ATA Carnet?
An ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that operates like a passport for your goods. It allows the temporary importation of goods into countries that are part of the ATA Carnet system and avoids you having to pay unnecessary taxes or duties.
ATA Carnets cover all goods that are leaving the UK and returning within a 12 month period. They do not cover disposable goods that will be used while out of the country or items that will not be returning to the UK.
Want to speak to someone? Call us on 0121 725 8996. Alternatively you can ask our team a question/enquiry below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
When and why do I need an ATA Carnet?
If your goods are going outside of the UK and into one of the 40+ countries that accepts ATA Carnets and you are going for one of the following reasons:
- You are exhibiting at an International Trade Fair/Exhibition
- You are taking Commercial Samples with you to business meetings to try and generate business
- Your goods are going out for Professional Equipment purposes to perform their function or to undergo testing
If this applies to you, you should be using an ATA Carnet. The ATA Carnet simplifies the customs procedure into a single document and makes the importation process much quicker and easier to handle.
Carnets in a post-Brexit world
As of 1st January 2021, we are now able to issue carnets for the temporary movement of goods to the European Union. Previously, goods have been able to move around Europe without an ATA Carnet thanks to the benefit of Free Movements of Goods that being an EU member granted the UK, but as of 1st January, some form of temporary movement process will now need to be followed.
An ATA Carnet has typically been the quickest and simplest form of this. If you are going out to European exhibitions, taking items to business meetings as commercial samples or if items are going out as professional equipment, for example, lighting and rigging for a band going on tour, you will likely need a carnet.
If you have any questions about the use of carnets in the EU then please contact us via the get in touch section below.
How can I apply for an ATA Carnet?
Online application
All carnets are applied for via our electronic service, eCert and are processed here, at the Chamber within two hours.
How Long does it take to get an ATA Carnet?
The cost of an ATA Carnet will differ slightly depending on the service you select upon application. These may include:
Standard Service: Apply by 1pm to get your carnet processed and posted out to you for next-day delivery, or ready for same-day collection.
Express Service: If you have an urgent carnet that will be applied for after the 1pm cut-off, or that needs collecting within a shorter time frame, we can fulfil this for an additional fee (£75+VAT).