Every year, approximately 190,000 ATA Carnets are issued worldwide covering goods valued at US$ 26 billion. 

What is an ATA Carnet?

The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods for up to one year. It contains pre-prepared unified customs declaration forms to be used at each customs border offices and serves as a guarantee to customs duties and taxes. The initials “ATA” are an acronym of the French and English words “Admission Temporary/ Temporary Admission”.

What are the benefits and advantages of ATA Carnet?

Established under the ATA Convention and the Istanbul Convention as a trade facilitation tool, ATA Carnets cut red tape by simplifying and unifying customs border crossing regulations for temporary import and export. With the ATA Carnet, exhibitors, salesmen, artists, athletes, TV crews, technicians, event participants and business travelers may:

• travel through customs without paying import duties, taxes at each customs border office.
• use one unified document for all declarations at home and abroad.
• use one document for multiple destinations and trips throughout its one-year validity.
• make advanced customs arrangements at predetermined costs.

ATA Carnets cover almost everything, as defined in 11 annexes to the Istanbul Convention. ATA Carnets are mainly issued to cover:

• goods for use at trade fairs,
• shows, exhibitions
• professional equipment
• commercial samples
• personal effects and goods for sports purposes.

In Pakistan ATA Carnets are accepted for:

Annex A concerning Temporary Admission Papers (ATA Carnets).

Annex B1 concerning goods for display or use at exhibitions, fairs, meetings or similar events.

Annex B2 concerning Professional equipment.

In Pakistan ATA Carnets are accepted for accompanied baggage and freight forwarded goods.

In Pakistan ATA Carnets are not accepted for postal traffic, unaccompanied baggage and transit.

Customs authorities accept ATA Carnets in accordance with the scope of application that they ratified. The goods must not go through any changes while situated in the country of temporary importation. ATA Carnets do not cover perishable or consumable items, goods for processing or repair, or certain means of transportation defined under Annex C of the Istanbul Convention. ATA Carnets are widely welcomed by countries wishing to boost international cooperation and take full advantage of the global economy. ATA Carnets are accepted in approximately 80 countries/customs territories.