The A.T.A. Carnet
The A.T.A. Carnet (where A.T.A. stands for the union of the terms “Admission temporaire – Temporary Adminssion) is an international customs document which allows the temporary import, export and transit of goods, exempt from taxes and customs duties.
The aim of the A.T.A. convention is to simplify the international movement of some categories of goods by substituting the specific document required by each country for the temporary import, export and transit. By doing this, it streamlines the customs procedures.
The A.T.A. is a globally accepted warrantee which substitutes the security deposit required by the authority. The carnet is composed by different forms of customs declaration which are standardized in order to be used and accepted in every border crossing. It is not necessary to exhibit invoices or additional transport documents.
How ATA carnet works
ATA carnet is valid for 12 months since its issue. The goods must be returned to the origin country within this deadline. In the acceding countries, ATA convention allows up to 4 travels and 2 return transits.
It is possible to add further documentation to carry out more travels with the same goods, to be completed within the expiration or the ATA carnet. In case of expiring, the payment of customs duties will be required.
The Carnet must go along with the goods from the taking in charge of the custom to the return to the origin country. It always must be returned to the Chamber of commerce when the goods are reentered, anyways within 8 days from the expiring.
The holder of the ATA Carnet is the one and only person responsible for its employ and for any payment of customs duties in the event of irregularities.
Goods covered by the ATA carnet
The ATA carnet is employed for the temporary export of different kinds of exportable goods and equipment:
- equipment and materials for fairs, exhibitions, conferences and other events;
- commercial samples and test goods;
- equipment and materials for professional activities or restorations;
- sports equipment;
- goods for educational, scientific or cultural purposes.
Therefore, it covers also the temporary exportation of goods such as: computers, music instruments, photographic and cinematographic equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, jewels, clothing, medical devices, planes, racehorses, artworks, sound systems.
The ATA carnet does not include the export of: electromechanical equipment for construction works, perishable or consumer goods (all the products which are intended to be partially or totally employed, such as food, glue cans, paper rolls, etc.).
A.T.A Carnet and acceding countries
Currently, ATA convention is officially in force in 78 countries, including Switzerland.
The acceding countries are: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States.
It is important to mention that each country has specific rules on the application of ATA carnet. It is necessary to be informed about the regulations in force in each country.
ATA Carnet issue for Switzerland
The ATA carnet is issued by the Chambers of commerce following the payment of the warrantee covering the import customs duties. The Chambers can illustrate to the user the main conditions for obtaining the convention.
The Canton Ticino Chamber of Commerce (Cc-Ti) oversees the issue of ATA carnet in Switzerland.
The Cc-Ti operate as warrantor of the customs duties towards the foreign customs authorities. The owner of the carnet must pay a deposit to cover the risks taken on by the Chamber of commerce.
The ATA carnet in Switzerland is also available in the electronic format and it can be issued by the ATA Swiss website: ATA Swiss.
Ansali experts are, as usual, at your disposal for any kind of advice related to the Swiss ATA carnet and for support on your specific needs in the customs field.
Contact us and the temporary export of goods in Switzerland and all over the world will be safely handled by our professional team.
