ATA Carnet: stages of registration, advantages, features of the document

Eleonora Alexandrovna Bakurskaya

Reading time: 7 minutes

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Success in foreign trade largely depends on the ability of exporters and importers to promote their goods in the markets of different countries. For this purpose, international exhibitions and fairs are organized, and for customs clearance of temporarily imported goods there is a special Carnet ATA document.

We will tell you about the advantages of using this customs document, the categories of products for which the ATA Carnet can be issued, we will list the participating countries of the ATA system, we will break down the stages of obtaining the document, including payment, and we will pay attention to the peculiarities of the actions of customs authorities when presenting the Carnet.

Pros of using Carnet ATA

The ATA Carnet, not to be confused with the TIR Carnet, is a customs document valid in many countries.
It is a replacement for customs declarations and allows you to quickly and easily process the temporary import of goods intended for exhibitions and fairs. It is also used for international transportation of product samples, equipment and other types of cargo. You can view a sample ATA Carnet on the website consultant.ru. The demand for the ATA Carnet for temporary import is explained by the following advantages:

• Allows you to quickly and cheaply arrange temporary import of cargo . In this case, the customs officer simply makes notes in the relevant document. All this is free. There is no need to worry about the availability of other customs documents;
• Acts as an international financial guarantee , and therefore, when importing cargo, bank or any other guarantees are not required. The document holder does not need to pay import duty;
• Valid for 12 months . During this time, the owner of the document, with its appropriate execution, gets the opportunity to import products into different countries;
• Does not require translation into the language of the state into which the goods are imported;
• Products imported under the ATA Carnet can be sold with the participation of the customs authority.

The customs document has a fairly wide scope, as it can be used for many product categories.

The ATA carnet is provided to residents of the Russian Federation.

Having a problem? Call our customs specialist:

8-495-565-32-46

Product categories subject to the ATA system

The goods to which the customs document in question is applicable are set out in the Convention on Temporary Importation. These include the following products for import and export:

• For exhibitions and fairs, conferences, and other events where product demonstration is expected. Combines and other heavy equipment can be of non-standard dimensions; read about how oversized cargo is transported here;
• Professional equipment;
• Products for commercial needs: samples and other types of goods;
• Products intended for needs in the field of education, culture and science;
• Reusable packaging and packaging - containers, pallets, etc.

The ATA carnet, for example, can be used to import PCs, professional cameras and video cameras, musical, industrial, medical equipment, vehicles, relics, works of art, and performance clothing.

Carnet ATA is issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

What products does it apply to?

The list of goods that can be temporarily imported with an ATA carnet is given in the Convention. The document is valid for the following goods:

• special equipment for the media, film industry;
• equipment for the business sector: video, audio equipment, PCs, etc.;
• expert equipment that is used during repair, installation work, and maintenance of vehicles;
• photographic equipment and various components;
• medical equipment;
• products necessary for establishing connections in the field of science or culture;
• exhibits. These objects can be used at fairs, themed exhibitions or festivals;
• equipment used at concert venues and theaters;
• transport to ensure all of the above processes. This group includes mobile laboratory centers, various installations for monitoring and performing specific technical processes;
• universal packaging that can be used for various products. This category includes boxes, pallets, various containers, etc.

Cargoes that are imported with this international document are prohibited from being exported outside the venue of these events, lent to third parties or sold.

States participating in the ATA Carnet system

It is assumed that in participating countries in the ATA system, you can import goods under the appropriate customs document. This list includes the following states:

• Andorra, Austria, Algeria;
• Belarus;
• Hong Kong, Gibraltar;
• Iceland, Israel, Iran, India;
• Ivory Coast, China, Canada;
• Lebanon;
• Mongolia, Mauritius, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco;
• Norway, New Zealand;
• Pakistan;
• RF;
• United States, Serbia, Senegal, Singapore;
• Thailand, Türkiye, Tunisia;
• Ukraine;
• Croatia;
• Sri Lanka, Switzerland;
• Chile;
• South Korea, South Africa;
• Japan.

States that are members of the European Union also participate in the Carnet ATA system:

• Austria, England;
• Bulgaria, Belgium;
• Hungary;
• Greece, Germany;
• Denmark;
• Spain, Ireland, Italy;
• Cyprus;
• Luxembourg, Latvia, Lithuania;
• Malta;
• Netherlands;
• Portugal, Poland;
• Romania;
• Slovenia, Slovakia;
• Finland, France;
• Czech Republic;
• Sweden;
• Estonia.

There are quite a few states participating in the ATA system. Therefore, you get the opportunity to import and export goods using a simplified system to almost anywhere in the world.

Products for which the document is not valid

Using an ATA carnet, you can import various types of cargo for temporary stay. However, there are categories of goods that are not covered by the international document:

• disposable products and consumables;
• products of consumer value;
• items for commercial use.

The ATA carnet does not apply to transport either. For cars, a different type of international passport is used - CRD. You can find out more about the categories of cargo and products whose temporary import is permitted and learn about the specifics of registration in the article on the customs procedure.

Obtaining an ATA Carnet

Obtaining a document involves going through three stages:

1. Consultation and provision of the necessary package of documents to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
2. Payment for the document;
3. Obtaining an ATA Carnet.

The ATA carnet is provided to residents of the Russian Federation. Before carrying out the procedure, you need to consult with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on questions that interest you, the conformity of your goods with products for which you can obtain a customs document. After which you can begin collecting the necessary package of documents. The list includes:

1. A covering letter with a request for the issuance of a customs document , stamped and signed by the head of the applicant organization. Filled out according to the standard form at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
2. Statement of guarantee signed by the head of the applicant company, as well as persons representing the interests of the applicant organization. Filled out in a standard form;
3. Copies of documentation confirming the legal status of the applicant company . In particular, this is a copy of the charter and a copy of the registration certificate, certified by a notary;
4. Power of attorney to grant the right to sign a customs document and carry out the stages of obtaining it, power of attorney for a company representative;
5. Copies of documentation confirming the purposes of import and export of products that meet the conditions under which the ATA Carnet can be issued. The document must bear the seal and signature of the head of the applicant company. This document could be, for example, an invitation to a conference or a contract. Documents must be translated into Russian;
6. Documentation indicating the real commercial price of the transported products . This could be an invoice, price lists, and so on. The documents must bear the seal and signature of the director of the applicant company, as well as the signature of the chief accountant;
7. A complete list of imported products , which will be reflected in the customs document. Provided in printed form in Russian and English or French. When working on a general list of products, you can take a corresponding sample or look at examples of filling out, which can be found on customs clearance websites;
8. Notice-statement , which indicates the real price of the product at the current dollar exchange rate.

The cost of registration will be 10,000 rubles, as well as 3% of the cost of the products indicated in the ATA Carnet.

The customs document is issued within 7 working days after the applicant has provided the relevant documents. The applicant is required to pay for the document. Payment can be made at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cash. Cashless payment is also possible.

To receive the ATA Carnet, you must present proof of payment for the registration. This could be a check, a payment order. The customs document is issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Some goods, when imported into the Russian Federation, require a special permit from the FSB. What notification is and for which products you will need to receive this document, read our article. The “main” document for international transportation of goods by sea is the bill of lading. You can familiarize yourself with the types of bills of lading here. Here you will find information about the rules for preparing and filling out this document.

Customs clearance of ATA Carnet

When accepting the ATA Carnet, customs authorities check its compliance with established rules. Particular attention is paid to the possibility of using the ATA Carnet in relation to imported goods, the validity period, the proper completion of the general list of goods, the design of counterfoils and tear-off sheets. The customs authority will accept the ATA Carnet if all requirements are met.

It is not allowed to make any changes or additions to the document after the ATA Carnet has been accepted by the customs authority. To do this, you will need the written consent of the customs authority in the form of a resolution on the holder’s application. The ATA carnet presented to the customs authority must be completed in one of three languages: Russian, English or French. All sheets must be completed identically, as they must contain the same information as the cover, which, along with additional sheets, is then signed by the ATA Carnet holder listed in Column “A”. All other sheets are filled out as you pass through the customs of countries participating in the international ATA system.

In case of loss, theft, or destruction of goods or the ATA Carnet itself, the holder has the right to notify the customs authority, which is in control of the tear-off sheet.

Features of filling out the document

In order for the ATA carnet to gain legitimacy, it is important to correctly enter the information into it. The document consists of a cover and inside contains tear-off sheets (vouchers). They are used when entering or leaving a state party to the Convention. The cover indicates the name and surname of the holder, address, destination of the cargo, list of countries and validity period.

When applying for an ATA carnet, it is required to have a power of attorney from the owner. All information must be entered correctly. You will also need to write the full name of the company holding the international document, which is engaged in the movement of products and acts as the declarant.

The description must be in Russian (in brackets). It is important for each product to indicate identification characteristics (article number, serial number, etc.) and add a photo depicting these items. Otherwise, the customs inspector will 100% likely send the cargo for inspection.

The process of drawing up a document is very specific and requires knowledge and skills from the declarant. An additional complexity lies in the large list of accompanying documents, as well as in the restrictions that apply to a group of certain goods. For this reason, it is very easy to make mistakes. To avoid such problems, you should seek help from professionals. The transport company 1Kargo provides cargo transportation services and takes care of issues with customs clearance.

You can find out more about the possibility of cooperation on the website from our online consultant or by phone (a toll-free number is available in the “Contacts” section).