ATA Carnet

The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits temporary importation of duty-free and tax-free of goods for up to one year.

Duty-free and tax-free temporary imports

The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary importation of goods for up to one year. The initials “ATA” are an acronym of the French and English words “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission”. ATA Carnet cover almost everything:

Commercial samples;
Professional equipment;
goods for use at trade fairs, shows, exhibitions, events.

ATA Carnets cover the usual and unusual: computers, repair tools, photographic and film equipment, musical instruments, industrial machinery, vehicles, jewellery, clothing, medical appliances, aircraft, race horses, art work, prehistoric relics, ballet costumes and rock group sound systems.
ATA Carnets do not cover perishable or consumable items, or goods for processing or repair.

Validity period of an ATA Carnet

From the date of issue of the Carnet, normally:

One year for commercial samples.
Six months for exhibition goods and professional equipment. The validity period of an ATA Carnet cannot be extended or renewed.

If the validity period is exceeded, duty, taxes and penalty charges will be incurred, despite proof that the goods were eventually re-exported/re-imported. Any such charges incurred will be the liability of ATA Carnet holder.

Speed through customs

ATA Carnets reduce costs to exporters by eliminating value-added tax (VAT) and customs duties.
Carnet holders are not required to post security deposit with customs
Carnets simplify customs border crossings and cut red tape by allowing importers and exporters to use a single document for all customs formalities

With their ATA Carnet, salesmen, exhibitors, and other business travellers may:

Make advance customs arrangements at predetermined cost
Visit several countries
Use their ATA Carnet for several trips during its one-year validity
Return to their home country without problems or delays

Service requirements

Commercial invoice
Authorisation letter issued by the company to its representatives or agents
Letter of pledged commitment

Note: Chamber will advise applicants of the amount of Admin fees & security deposit required, the security must be given in the following forms:

Cash deposit to Chamber account
Bank transfer
Bank Guarantee “Specimen”

Service fees

Fees vary for each country and are determined by the value of the goods, the number of countries to be visited and the costs for security, insurance or other services.
Members and non-members are entitled to obtain ATA Carnet with nominal fees. Security Deposit may differ according to value of goods and number of countries intended to visit.

ATA Carnet processing fee (only for one visit)	Members: 900 AED Non Members: 1,800 AED
ATA Carnet Express processing fees (only for one visit)	Members: 1,400 AED Non Members: 2,300 AED
Additional countries	Members: 50 AED each Non Members: 100 AED each
Additional pages for the general list	Members: 5 AED each Non Members: 10 AED each
Cancellation fee	Members: 500 AED Non Members: 500 AED
Regularization	Members: 300 AED Non Members: 600 AED

The security deposit fees depend on the total value of goods and customs duties (ATA Carnet Security Rate Chart) in visiting countries plus VAT & 10% in case of penalties, and it will be refunded after proper discharge of the Carnet.

Service channels

Submission of application through the Dubai Chamber website, then completion of process by agent and receiving the ATA Carnet from Dubai Chamber Happiness Center

Service average completion time

Urgent request: One working day (starting from receipt of commercial fees and guarantee)
Non-urgent request: Three working days (starting from receipt of commercial fees and guarantee)

Target customers

Exhibitions and trade fairs which will attract more foreign participants
Tourism and the transportation sector
Entertainment and concerts promotion sector
Sports events (such as the Olympics games)
Countries that would like to benefit from global economic advantages

How the ATA Carnet system works

The ATA Carnet system is a perfect illustration of how close cooperation between business and customs can facilitate international trade. Each country in the ATA chain has a single guaranteeing organization approved by its national customs authorities and WCF. The guaranteeing body is entitled to issue Carnets and to authorize local entities to deliver Carnets on its behalf. The ATA international guarantee chain provides reciprocal guarantees assuring customs administrations that duties and taxes incurred in case of misuse will be paid – for example, if goods are sold instead of re-exported. The ATA Carnet operates under international customs conventions administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The ICC/WCF World ATA Carnet Council manages the system in cooperation with the WCO. The Council and ATA experts promote the ATA Carnet in Africa, Asia and Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.