RegardiNg ATA Carnet

When bringing in commercial equipment and merchandise through the US Customs, it is important to go through the ATA Carnet process which can be filed domestically from your country of origin. The failure to properly apply may result in confiscation.

What is an ATA Carnet?

The ATA Carnet is an international customs document which allows an individual traveler / business to temporarily export or import goods for commercial purposes to and from a country without having to pay duty or value-added taxes on the goods.

ATA Carnets serve as a guarantee for signatory countries against the payment of customs duties that may become due on goods that are not re-exported as required. “ATA” stands for the combined French and English words “Admission Temporaire – Temporary Admission.”

Why use an ATA Carnet?

The ATA Carnet simplifies the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) formalities involved in temporarily importing goods into the U.S. and other countries. Without a carnet, it would be necessary to go through the customs procedures established in each country for the temporary admission of goods. The carnet allows the business traveler to use a single document for clearing certain categories of goods through customs in several different countries. It may be used for unlimited exits from and entries into the U.S. and participating foreign countries during the one-year validity. Carnets are accepted as the entry document and satisfy the importer’s obligation to post a security in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide.

Who issues ATA Carnets?

There is an extensive number of countries that help you issue an ATA Carnet. Please click here for more information

Further information regarding ATA Carnet can be found here.