An ATA carnet is an international customs document that lets you take certain goods into another country temporarily, such as trade show stock, commercial samples or professional equipment, without paying import duty and VAT at each border, as long as you bring them back within the carnet’s validity. If you’re exhibiting at a show early next year, November is a sensible time to sort it, because carnets take time to arrange. Our customs clearance team can talk you through it, whether your goods leave from Dover by road or fly out by air.
What an ATA carnet does
Think of a carnet as a passport for goods. Instead of completing a separate set of temporary import and export declarations in every country you visit, the carnet is presented and stamped by customs at each border.
It’s backed by a guarantee, so the countries you visit know that any duties will be paid if the goods don’t leave again. That’s what lets customs release the goods without asking you for the duty up front.
Carnets are issued in the UK through chambers of commerce. They only work in countries that are part of the ATA carnet system, so it’s always worth checking your destination first.
What goods can go on a carnet
Carnets are designed for goods that are going abroad for a short time and coming back in the same condition. The usual categories are:
- Exhibition and trade show goods, such as display stands, demonstration models and stock for show.
- Commercial samples, shown to potential customers but not sold.
- Professional equipment, such as camera kits, sound equipment, tools or instruments used for a job abroad.
Goods that will be sold, given away, used up or processed abroad aren’t suitable for a carnet. Perishable items and consumables generally fall outside it too. If you plan to sell your show stock at the end of the event, you’ll need a different arrangement for those goods.
Why plan in November
The new year is busy for trade shows, and getting a carnet in place takes some organising:
- You’ll need a full list of the goods, with descriptions, quantities, values and weights.
- The issuing body will want the security or guarantee arranged before it’s issued.
- Every item on the list has to match what’s actually travelling, so the list needs checking carefully.
Leaving it until the week before departure adds stress and risk. Starting in November gives time to fix any problems.
Using the carnet at the border
The carnet needs to be presented to customs, with the goods, every time they leave or enter a country, including when they leave the UK and when they return. Each time, customs officers stamp the relevant pages.
The most common problems come from:
- Missing a stamp, which can lead to a claim against the guarantee.
- Goods that don’t match the list, such as an extra item packed at the last minute.
- Late return, after the carnet has expired.
If your exhibition kit is going by air, our air freight team can help coordinate the shipment around the carnet’s requirements.
Carnets through Dover and the East coast ports
For trade shows in Europe, a lot of exhibition kit goes by road through Dover or by ferry from ports like Harwich. The driver or haulier needs to know there’s a carnet with the load and that it must be presented to customs on the way out and on the way back. If the carnet is missed at the border, the goods can be treated as a normal export and import, which is exactly what you were trying to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an ATA carnet valid?
A carnet is normally valid for up to 12 months from the date it’s issued. The goods must be back in the UK before it expires. If you’re making several trips within that period, the same carnet can usually be used for each one, provided there are enough vouchers and the goods listed don’t change.
Can I sell goods that travelled on a carnet?
Not without extra steps. A carnet is for temporary use, so goods are expected to come home. If you decide to sell something abroad, you’ll need to pay the import duty and taxes in that country and make sure customs records it properly. Plan ahead if selling show stock is likely.
Do I need a carnet for every country?
Only for countries in the ATA carnet system, and only where you want to use temporary admission. Some destinations may have their own procedures instead. Check your route before you apply, as the carnet needs to list every country the goods will enter, including any you pass through in transit.
Get your trade show shipment sorted early
Give us a call on 01304 759200 or drop us a message and we’ll check whether a carnet suits your goods and help plan the shipment so it moves smoothly in both directions.