ATA Carnets

ATA Carnets can help you overcome the difficulties of travelling overseas with expensive equipment. Customs duties, sales taxes, paperwork, and fluctuating currency can all create difficulties.

What is an ATA Carnet?

The ATA Carnet is an international customs document, issued by a Chamber of Commerce within Australia, that permits duty-free temporary import/entry of goods into other countries for up to one year.

An ATA Carnet covers goods such as:

Commercial samples
Professional equipment
Goods for presentations, trade fairs, shows, exhibitions.

ATA carnets are not intended for goods that will not be returning to Australia, such as food products which will be consumed as samples at a trade show. In the case that goods registered under an ATA Carnet are not returned to Australia, the company responsible for those goods will have to pay duty.

Advantages of ATA Carnet

Reduction in costs by eliminating value added taxes, sales taxes and customs duties at overseas customs ports.
An ability to budget in Australian dollars, at a predetermined cost.
Acceptance in over 65 different countries and territories.
Validation for up to one year.
Elimination of the need to register goods with Customs at the time of departure.
Versatility as it can be used for most business related items.
Simplifying Customs procedures for border crossing and cuts red tape by allowing one single document for all Customs formalities, thereby minimising uncertainty and surprises.
Allowing you to complete Customs paperwork in English only once.
ATA Carnets are widely recognised around the world, with annual use topping 200,000 (valued at almost US $12 billion).
The ability for goods to be returned to Australia without problems or delays.

Organise an ATA carnet

Download our ATA Carnet Kit for detailed information on the process to submit the necessary forms, as well as a copy of the forms you will need.

Available Monday to Friday (excluding Public Holidays), our ATA Carnets are delivered with a prompt and accurate turnaround and fees remain the most competitive in the export market today.

Senior Carnet Advisor – Marie-Claude Halimanis