Digital ATA Carnets Are Coming – Here’s What You Need to Know

What is an ATA Carnet?

An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows you to temporarily import commercial goods into other Countries participating within the ATA Carnet Convention with relief from duties and taxes. You can use a Carnet for each of the below reasons: 

• Commercial Samples – e.g. Jewellery, fashion, technology, or other items to show to potential buyers.
• Exhibition or Trade Fair Goods – goods used at shows, galleries, or similar events.
• Professional equipment – Tools or gear used for business activities abroad (e.g. instruments, test equipment, broadcast tools, race vehicles).

Fun Fact: Horses used in racing also qualify to be listed as an item on an ATA Carnet

By purchasing an ATA Carnet from the London Chamber of Commerce (LCCI), you can move your goods across multiple countries within the Carnet Convention, without repeated customs paperwork or duty payments.

How are Carnets currently used?

At present, ATA Carnets are physical paper documents. They must be physically presented to and endorsed by Customs at every Customs Checkpoint the holder is travelling to. This can lead to:

• Damage of the Physical Document.
• Loss of the physical Document.
• Risk of Claims from Foreign Customs due to missed endorsements.

Want to learn how to use an ATA Carnet compliantly? Download the guide here. 

Solution? Digital Carnets.

That’s why the decision has been made to a digital document. The project is being led by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and LCCI’s in-house team, UKNATACO, has been instrumental in driving this change forward for the UK. 

What is the sole mission? Making temporary exports to other countries easier, safer, and smarter for you, the ATA Carnet Holder.

Benefits of the Digital Carnet

• No more lost paperwork – Your Carnet is stored securely in an app.
• Real-time tracking – You, and us as the Issuing Chamber, know where your goods are at any given part of their journey.
• Instant Access – As soon as payment is received and your application is approved by London, you will be able to retrieve your ATA Carnet – no more postal delays.
• Eco-friendly – Reduce your paper usage.
• User-friendly – significantly easier to navigate than the traditional paper document.
• Less Financial Risk – No risk of physical damage or loss during the 33-month lifecycle of the ATA Carnet.

What’s Changing?

📲 What’s different with the digital Carnet?

1. You’ll still submit the same information to your issuing Chamber.
2. Once issued, you’ll receive a PIN and QR code via email.
3. Download your approved Carnet to the ATA Carnet App.
4. At customs, simply show your QR code for scanning – no paper needed.

Next Steps towards Digitalisation: LCCI’s Digital Carnet Trial.

We’re excited to share that UKNATACO (the UKs National Governing Body for ATA Carnets) has recently successfully trained additional UK ports to process digital carnets — including Dover, which is especially positive news considering the high volume of carnets issued by London that travel through this key location.

🚀 Join the Digital Carnet Trial

UKNATACO has trained several UK ports, including Dover, to process digital carnets. We’re now inviting LCCI Carnet customers to join our pilot programme, starting August.

🔗 View participating ports here

Interested? Email us:

Subject: Digital Carnet Trial Participation – [Your Organisation Name]

📩Click here to email us

Reminder: Digital carnets are not yet legally recognised Custom Documentation. You must still carry and validate your physical Carnet during the trial to avoid customs issues. 

Let’s modernise International Trade – TOGETHER.

This article was written by Nickie Dalton – Head of Trade Documentation and Services.