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The ATA Carnet System is an international Customs facilitation scheme for the temporary admission of goods. “ATA” is actually an acronym of the French and English words “admission temporaire/temporary admission”. It is governed by the Istanbul Convention of 1990, which was established under the auspices of the Customs Co-Operation Council, today known as the World Customs Organisation. The ATA Carnet system is administered by Chambers of Commerce in countries which have ratified the Istanbul Convention. In Mauritius, it is administered by the MCCI.

The ATA Carnet is an internationally recognised and accepted uniform Customs document to allow for the temporary importation of goods into a member country (i.e. a country party to the scheme), and this without having to raise Customs bonds, pay duty or fulfill other Customs formalities in the country of importation.

For the ATA Carnet system to function efficiently, there must be some means whereby national customs authorities are ensured that duties and taxes will be paid in case goods temporarily admitted under cover of ATA Carnets are not returned back to the country of exportation. This is achieved by a system of reciprocal guarantee through which the ATA Carnet incorporates an internationally valid guarantee to cover import duties and taxes that may become due in case the goods are not re-exported.

Simplification of Customs procedures

The carnet is instantly recognised and accepted by Customs officials at border posts in countries party to the scheme. Exporters are not required to provide a deposit or guarantee to the customs authorities of the country of temporary importation.

Advance preparation

Exporters can make Customs arrangements in advance of a visit to the country or countries they intend to visit. More importantly, these arrangements are made locally, and quickly.

Single Document for Many Countries

A single ATA Carnet may be used for goods that will pass through several Customs authorities during the course of one trip. The carnet can be used multiple times and in multiple countries during the period of validity, provided that the same goods are being covered.

• Commercial samples
• Goods for international trade fairs and exhibitions
• Professional equipment 

Some countries may have emitted reservations regarding the items covered by the ATA carnet. The MCCI will inform you of such reservations when determining whether the issue of an ATA carnet is suitable for a specific destination.

ATA carnets do not cover perishable or consumable items intended to be given away, disposed of, or utilised abroad or goods for processing or repair. 

The price depends on the value of the goods covered.

Goods imported under an ATA Carnet should not be sold. Such goods must be re-exported by the ATA Carnet Holder within the period approved for their temporary admission. It is therefore particularly important to obtain the correct Customs verification of entry and exit from each country visited. Failure to do so may lead to Customs duty and a penalty or tax being imposed.

Strict adherence to the conditions governing the use of ATA Carnets is the responsibility of the Carnet holder. As the guaranteeing organisation, the MCCI must pay all claims resulting from the improper use of a Carnet. Therefore, the MCCI is required to hold a refundable security deposit, either in the form of an office cheque or a Bank Guarantee from the carnet holder. The deposit value varies between 35% to 100% of the value of the goods being exported, depending on the type and value of the goods.

Presentation of the Carnet to Customs

It is the ATA Carnet holder’s duty to present the ATA Carnet to the Customs authorities when entering or leaving the country for necessary verification and certification. Failure to do so may result in a claim being made against the holder.
So, to avoid incurring any costs for duties and taxation, ensure that the certificates are validated upon entry and exit. Take particular care to ensure that the Yellow Re-Importation Counterfoil (back into Mauritius) is stamped.

Exceeding Stipulated Time Frames

It is the ATA Carnet holders’ responsibility to ensure that they remain within the validity period stipulated on the ATA Carnet, as well as the period stipulated by each country the goods will enter, failing which they will become liable for any taxes or duties that result.

Loss of the ATA Carnet

If the ATA Carnet document itself is destroyed, lost or stolen, the ATA Carnet holder should immediately notify the local police and/or Customs and obtain a covering statement from them. The Carnet Holder must request a new ATA Carnet from the MCCI before re-exportation can be validated from the country of temporary importation.

Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Goods

If any goods covered by an ATA Carnet are destroyed, lost or stolen whilst in a foreign country, the ATA Carnet holder will automatically become liable for Customs duty etc.

No. Legal basis for the ATA scheme is the Istanbul Convention.

1. Contact the MCCI to determine whether the issue of an ATA Carnet is suitable.

2. Collect and complete the ATA Carnet and Undertaking Form (Lettre d’Engagement). For the ATA Carnet, complete section A, B, C and D on the front of all forms (except those referenced “For Use by Customs”), then complete the General List on the back, itemising the goods to be covered, together with serial numbers, weight, value and country of origin.

3. Submit the ATA Carnet to MCCI for approval, together with the adequate security to cover duty and taxes. Pay the issuing fee.

Historically, a primary form of international custom document for temporary admission of goods existed in the form of triptyques or carnets de passage en douane for the temporary admission of motor vehicles. With the expansion of international trade, a strong need was felt for more simplified customs formalities, especially for those traders who would frequently cross international barriers with commercial samples and advertising material.

After suggestions and negotiations made at the Congress for Customs Regulations and the Customs Co-operation Council, a Convention was passed regarding ECS Carnets for commercial samples, which was to be the predecessor of the A.T.A Carnet. It also covered temporary admission of advertising material. The ECS Scheme achieved very satisfactory results within the trading community. The latter soon wished to secure similar facilities for other types of temporary admission facilities. Eventually, the A.T.A Convention entered into force on 30th July 1963, eventually replaced by the Istanbul Convention of 1990.

For additional information on the ATA Carnet System, click here: www.atacarnets.org