ATA Carnet
An ATA Carnet is the single document that removes the duty and deposit burden when you take goods abroad briefly to show, use or exhibit them rather than sell them. For goods that will return, such as a sample case, trade-fair booth equipment or a field measurement device, you use this passport-like carnet instead of a regular export declaration.
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that lets commercial samples, professional equipment and trade-fair or exhibition goods be temporarily taken abroad and brought back in the same condition, without paying duty or a deposit, for up to one year. The name "ATA" combines the French "Admission Temporaire" and the English "Temporary Admission".
What it is for and when it is used
An ATA Carnet lets you clear goods that will return without posting duty or a deposit, using one document in place of a regular export/import declaration. There are three main uses:
- Commercial samples: example products shown to customers but not sold.
- Professional equipment: gear taken along with the work, such as cameras, measurement devices, stage/audio equipment or repair tools.
- Trade-fair and exhibition goods: booth materials, display items, demo units.
- It is accepted in more than 80 countries and customs territories; the same carnet covers entry and exit in each country the goods visit.
Who issues it and how long it is valid
An ATA Carnet is issued by authorized chambers of commerce, not by the government, and is backed by an international guarantee chain.
- In Turkey, authorized chambers of commerce/industry issue the carnet; the national guaranteeing association is the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
- It is valid for at most 1 year from the issue date and cannot be extended; the goods must return before it expires.
- At application, a security equal to the value of the goods (cash, bank guarantee, etc.) is lodged with the chamber and refunded once the goods return on time and complete.
- For the goods listed on it, the carnet replaces the local declaration and deposit at the destination customs.
Key points and common mistakes
Used incorrectly, an ATA Carnet can trigger forfeiture of the security and customs duty with penalties.
- The goods must return in the same condition: sale, consumption, processing or permanent installation falls outside ATA and requires a permanent export/import instead.
- At every customs crossing the relevant voucher section must be stamped by customs; a missing stamp implies the goods did not return and can lead to a claim on the security.
- The goods on the carnet list must match the physical goods exactly in serial number, quantity and description.
- The goods must come back before expiry; delay or a lost carnet can result in forfeiture of the security.
- Not every country accepts every goods category; confirm the destination country's ATA coverage in advance.
How it relates to Sighthem
An ATA Carnet is not a separate module in Sighthem; it is a document tracked in the shipment file of the goods going out temporarily.
- The carnet and its goods list are stored in the shipment's document set alongside the others (packing list, commercial/sample invoice).
- Because the goods on the carnet will return, the shipment record helps you track this round-trip movement separately from a permanent sale.
- The carnet's expiry date is noted on the file as the critical deadline by which the goods must be brought back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues an ATA Carnet?
ATA Carnets are issued by authorized chambers of commerce and industry; in Turkey the national guaranteeing association is the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). It is issued by this chamber network rather than a government office and is backed by an international guarantee chain.
How long is an ATA Carnet valid?
An ATA Carnet is valid for at most 1 year from its issue date and cannot be extended. The goods must return in the same condition before this period ends; otherwise the security can be claimed and duty with penalties may arise.
What is the difference between an ATA Carnet and a certificate of origin?
A certificate of origin proves the country where goods were made and is used for tariffs in permanent (sale) exports; an ATA Carnet enables a temporary export of goods that will return and avoids paying duty or a deposit. One documents origin, the other manages the temporary entry-exit regime.
Can goods sent under an ATA Carnet be sold abroad?
No. An ATA Carnet is only for goods that will return; sale, consumption, processing or permanent installation is out of scope. If you want to sell the goods abroad, you must use a regular (permanent) export instead of the carnet and meet the customs obligations.
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