About the ATA Carnet
ATA is a French and English acronym of “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission.” Established by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in 1961 to facilitate world trade, the ATA Carnet is an internationally recognized customs document for the temporary importation of goods.
Accepted in over 78 countries, the Carnet permits the duty-free and tax-free importation of goods into foreign countries during its one-year validation period, simplifies customs procedures, reduces business costs and saves time and paperwork. A Carnet covers virtually all goods, except for consumable or disposable items and goods for repair and/or processing.
Carnets are commonly used by sales people and manufacturers to bring their wares into foreign countries to show as commercial samples to potential customers or to display at trade fairs and exhibitions. Canadian entertainers, sports teams, the media and service companies also frequently use Carnets to travel with their professional equipment.
As the Canadian national guaranteeing organization, we have been issuing Carnets since 1972.
Click here to view the Carnet manual.
