ATA Carnet Guidelines

ATA Carnet is an internationally-used customs document that operates much like passports and serves as a guarantee for signatory countries against the payment of customs duties.

An ATA Carnet document contains general and specific information about the Carnet.

• Its green cover page encloses the name of the Carnet holder, the date of issue, the date of expiration, the Carnet number, the national guaranteeing association (NGA), the countries in which the Carnet can be utilized, and a detailed description of the goods that are going to be covered in this file.  
• The yellow sheets*** are used when exporting from and re-importing into the issuing country.
• The white sheets are used for the temporary importation into and re-exportation from foreign countries. 
• The blue sheets are used in the transit process through the countries. 

***ATA Carnets issued in the United States do not include yellow export or re-import vouchers. 

Each sheet consists of two parts:  

• A counterfoil which describes the actions taken by CBP officers every time goods enter or leave the participating country. This is meant to always stay in the Carnet package.
• A removable voucher that contains a list of the goods covered by the specific Carnet. This is the required CBP document.

Products listed on a Carnet can be imported from and exported into participating countries and territories for a one-year period from the date of issuance for as many times as needed.  

Yes. The Carnet holder can apply for an extension or “Replacement Carnet,” increasing the 12-month limit. To obtain a replacement Carnet, the holder must apply before the expiration date of the original Carnet and must wait for its approval by the foreign Customs administration. It is also important to note that replacement Carnets are not accepted in all ATA Carnet issuing countries.

An ATA Carnet covers three general categories of imported/exported goods; commercial samples, professional equipment, exhibitions, and fairs. However, not all participating countries accept the temporary importation of these categories.  

For example, the United States allows for the temporary importation of commercial samples, professional equipment, and some advertising materials.

Some examples of goods that can be listed on an ATA Carnet are:  

• Technological devices, machinery, clothing, tools, electronics, sporting goods, cars, jewelry, etc.
• Expensive art pieces, circus or Olympics animals, satellites, airplane jets, mining equipment, and more.

The types of goods not to enter on an ATA Carnet:  

You cannot enter any merchandise that is not covered in the three general categories of imported/exported goods for ATA Carnet. The three categories are commercial samples, professional equipment, and exhibitions, and fairs.

Consumable items like giveaways, agricultural products, and disposable items cannot be transported under an ATA Carnet. Items that are intended for sale or sale upon approval cannot be entered on a carnet and must be entered on a regular customs entry.

If a Carnet holder sells, donates, or disposes of any of the goods listed on a Carnet before getting the chance to re-export them, the National Guaranteeing Association (NGA) becomes liable for paying 110% of the import duties and taxes imposed by the country’s customs. In turn, the NGA will attempt to collect this money from the violating Carnet-holder. If this happens in the United States, an additional penalty will be assessed if the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authority can prove that any type of fraud was involved during the importation/transportation process.

If the expired ATA Carnet was issued in the US, there will be no duties or penalties assessed by U.S. Customs upon re-entry. However, foreign governments assess penalties if the Carnet expires before the goods are re-exported. If the Carnet was issued in a foreign country but is in the U.S. before being re-exportation, then the liquidated damages will be assessed by U.S. Customs.