Trade Documentation

ATA Carnet

An ATA Carnet, commonly referred to as the “Passport for Commercial Goods” in both Paper and its newly transitioning Digital format is an International Customs Document that allows the temporary admission of Commercial non-perishable goods into more than 80 Countries/territories globally for up to 1 year. This versatile document acts as a multi-trip guarantee against any potential duties and taxes that would otherwise be payable at each international border crossing.

With an ATA Carnet, you can move goods across international borders efficiently and compliantly if the document is endorsed correctly upon every border exit and entry. The document is widely used by Exhibitors, Formula One race teams, Film / TV Production companies, Music / Event companies’ technicians and business travellers who need to temporarily transport Commercial Samples, Professional Equipment or goods for Trade Fairs / Exhibitions.

LCCI is the largest issuer of ATA Carnets globally

We have an in-house team of ATA Carnet technical experts who are on hand to provide guidance starting with the application process right the way to the end of the liability of the ATA Carnet (after 33 months). Our experienced team supports you with each step in between, helping you to secure your ATA Carnet quickly and advice and support on how to use the document compliantly throughout the duration of its 12-month validity.

Paper ATA Carnet

A paper ATA Carnet is issued if you are travelling to countries who are not yet transitioning to the new digital format of the document. If travelling from the UK with commercial equipment to a non-digital Country, the Carnet Holder will need to pre-populate the paper vouchers and present these along with the relevant Counterfoil at each Customs Entry/Exit for processing.

Without presenting a paper carnet for these countries when moving goods internationally, the business / individual would need to pay import duties / taxes or a Temporary Import Bond upon arrival at each destination country. The traditional paper carnet will be phased out by 2028.

Digital ATA Carnet

For Holders travelling to the EU, Norway or Switzerland for temporary admission, the previously issued paper carnet is replaced by QR Codes that should be presented to Customs instead. Whilst still in the early stages of this transition, LCCI will continue to issue a “back-up” paper carnet to ensure holders don’t get stuck at borders. Please refer to LCCI’s pre-travel checklist and our Important Notes for Carnet Holders to understand how to create your travels within both the Mobile and Desktop Apps.

You can download the app on:

Google Play Digital Carnet App
App Store Digital Carnet App

Parallel ATA Carnet

When holders are travelling from the UK to the EU, Norway, Switzerland (Digital Destinations) AND a paper destination, the holder will be issued a parallel carnet and must use both for their journey. The holder will need to present both Digital and Paper Carnets for endorsement to UK Boder force when they first depart the UK, then they must present each correct “carnet type” to each customs office. E.g. Digital carnet QR codes for EU, Norway and Switzerland and then Paper Carnet for other destinations.

Both the Digital Carnet APP and the Front Cover acts as an instruction as to which carnet to present in each Country. The Traditional paper carnet will be phased out by 2028.

EC/CPD/China – Taiwan Carnet

The EC/CPD/China - Taiwan Carnet covers goods temporarily imported/exported between the UK and Taiwan. Other than a different colour code and A4 format to distinguish it from the ATA Carnet, the conditions for its use, the goods for which it can be used, and customs procedures are identical. LCCI is the only UK accredited Chamber for these carnets. They can be issued independently for single travel use or in conjunction with an ATA Carnet.

To apply for this type of Carnet, please download the CPD/China -Taiwan template and complete relevant boxes and send this completed copy to ecarnet@londonchamber.co.uk. Please note, unless an Express Fee is applied, this service can take up to 2 working days to issue.

1. How do I access my digital carnet and PIN?

Once your ATA Carnet has been paid for on ECarnet, you will be able to download your Digital Carnet by being granted access to your Digital Pin within ECarnet in the Notifications tab on the landing page. Download the ATA Carnet App to your mobile or use the ACD Desktop App and log in.

- Watch a step by step guide
- Read a step-by-step guide

2. Which countries accept Digital Carnets?

Digital carnets are being introduced gradually by country. The first “Group” of Countries went live on the 1st of June and they were: EU, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. A second phase of Countries will go live later in 2026.

Both the Digital Carnet App and the Front Cover of your LCCI Issued ATA Carnet is your instruction sheet as to what format of carnet to present to each Customs Office.

3. Can I still use a paper carnet if I prefer?

No. If your destination requires a digital carnet, you must use the digital version.

During the transition period, you may receive both digital and paper versions as a temporary measure and rely on your paper issued ATA Carnet as a back-up only.

4. How do I share a digital carnet with a freight forwarder or agent?

You have two options:

- Share the Carnet ID and PIN straight from ECarnet. Once this is shared, the carrier of the goods / anyone who has access to these details can prepare travels.

Share this with caution. You cannot restrict this access for the validity of the carnet once shared.

- Create journeys yourself and share the unique QR Codes for each Customs visit with the driver or traveller for customs presentation.

LCCI encourages holders to choose the option that fits best for your internal processes.

5. How do customs validate a digital carnet?

Customs can validate your carnet in three ways:

1.   Pre declaration
2.   Scanning the QR code (where available)
3.   Manual entry using the carnet number, PIN and unique Transaction Code underneath the Barcode.

Digital Carnets

From Monday 1 June 2026, the first “group” of countries/territories - the UK, European Union, Norway and Switzerland - went live with the soft launch and transition to the new format of the ATA Carnet, the Digital Carnet. This means that instead of presenting the document in its paper format, holders now present QR Codes to customs which once scanned/processed, securely transfers all the ATA Carnet data that would previously be held on a paper document straight to their Customs portal.

Benefits of Digital ATA Carnets

Efficient processing at Border
Increased Visibility of Movements from the App
Reduced Human Error
Reduced Risk by removing Physical Paperwork

To help you prepare for the transition from traditional paper ATA Carnets, we recommend reading LCCI’s guidance article. It includes key dates, instructions on setting up your ATA Carnet app account, and a practical pre travel checklist.

more information Pre - Travel Checklist

UK National ATA Carnet Organisation (UKNATACO)

UKNATACO is an operational team within LCCI and is the National Governing organisation for ATA Carnets in the UK. They are ultimately responsible for all UK-Issued ATA Carnets by the Chamber Network, by guaranteeing these Carnets as well as in-bound Carnets – those that are issued overseas and which relate to goods coming into the UK under the scheme. They liaise directly with global National Guaranteeing Organisations as well as UK Customs.

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International Trade Courses

ATA Carnet Training Courses

LCCI’s ATA Carnet – Your Passport for Goods training course covers the Carnet journey from application to the end of the 33-month liability, sharing with delegates best practises to apply and use the document effectively and make the best of its multiple benefits. We run this training course multiple times a year and there’s also an option to book out this course as an independent course for your business and it can be tailored to your business needs.

See course overview and book this course

ATA Course Testimonial

Hand on heart, I had no idea I would learn as much as I did on the course. The depth of knowledge from a snippet of time to learn really was invaluable. The communication, humour and learning aids were spot on to keep me engaged. It’s been a while since I was in education but I must say that I felt continually drawn into the course.

Robert Berning

DHL Entertainment Logistics – WAM Department

Applying for an ATA Carnet

Apply for an ATA Carnet via LCCI’s ECarnet Platform

LCCI's Ecarnet website will allow you to apply for your ATA Carnet online and pay any applicable fees for your application. The Carnet can either be posted to you or it can be collected from the issuing office, City OR Hounslow.

To complete this process, you will be directed to a third-party website called ECarnet. Rest assured, this website is owned and managed by LCCI.

Log In or Create an Account on ECarnet

Click the link below based on your customer type. You will be re-directed to the Ecarnet to either log in to an existing account or register for an account. If registering for an account, please ensure that you select either “City” or “Hounslow” office for processing if registering for the first time.

ATA Carnet Price Guide

LCCI members can benefit from discounted rates of the Issuing Fee for all LCCI issued ATA Carnets. Interested in how LCCI Membership can benefit your business? Click here to find out more.

Alongside every Carnet issued, Carnet Holders are required to provide a security which relates to the value type, and destination of the goods being temporarily exported. Click the link below to obtain a CSS security quote.

For further information on security options are available to you, please refer to our FAQs section below.

CSS security quote

Member/Non-Member	Price	VAT	Total
ATA Carnet	Member	£206.00	£41.20	£247.20
ATA Carnet	Non-member	£342.00	£68.40	£410.40
Taiwan Carnet	Member	£206.00	£41.20	£247.20
Taiwan Carnet	Non-member	£342.00	£68.40	£410.40
Express Service	Member	£412.00	£82.40	£494.40
Express Service	Non-member	£548.00	£109.60	£657.60
Extra Voucer	Member	£70.00	£14.00	£84.00
Extra Voucer	Non-member	£140.00	£28.00	£168.00

What our Members are Saying

LCCI has helped us understand the changes required for temporarily importing goods into the EU since Brexit and assist us with documentation for permanent exports.

Meghann Whattam

Carnet and Customs Coordinator, McLaren

1. How do I apply for an ATA Carnet?

To obtain a Carnet, you need to submit an online application through our ecarnet system. You will be able to declare all the goods you need the Carnet to cover and pay for any applicable fees.

Note Carnets are physical documents that will need to be printed by our officers. Once issued, the Carnet can either be posted to you or it can be collected from the issuing office.

If you apply for an ATA Carnet from the Hounslow Branch, this is collection only from the Hounslow Branch. If you apply for a Carnet through the City Branch, this can be posted out to you or collected from the City Branch.

2. What can an ATA Carnet be used for?

The ATA Carnet is a temporary admission document which acts as a passport for goods for three main categories of goods:

Commercial samples (goods to be shown or demonstrated to potential buyers i.e. jewellery, clothing etc)
Goods for presentation or use at trade fairs, shows, conferences, works of art to be exhibited at galleries and museums etc
Professional equipment (tools and equipment required to perform a paid commercial activity abroad, goods for testing and evaluation, theatrical effects, orchestras, racing vehicles*, broadcasting equipment, specially adapted vehicles** etc). Horses for racing purposes, commercial shows or breeding. Professional equipment must be used by, or under the personal supervision of the holder or his nominated representative

*Carnets can only be issued for racing vehicles that are transported to the EU or any other Carnet country under transport contract (i.e. by freight forwarder / haulier). Any such vehicles can only be used on a dedicated race-track or on the roads closed to public. If the vehicle is road worthy and is being driven to the country of destination by the owner– then the Carnet is not required (the same applies to personal vehicles being towed or transported by the owner (i.e. motorbike transported to EU in a van by the owner; car being towed behind a motorhome vehicle driven by the owner etc).

** Specially adapted vehicles can be driven on public roads and include any vehicle with permanently fitted equipment (i.e. broadcasting vans, exhibition trailers, water filter trucks etc).

3. How many times can an ATA Carnet be used?

An ATA Carnet can be used for multiple visits to any number of countries specified in the itinerary during the period of the validity of the document.

4. How do I use an ATA Carnet?

We have created a guide to assist ATA Carnet holders with using the document correctly. This will help with minimising the exposure to potential claims from the foreign Customs.

How to use ATA Carnet

5. What countries can I use an ATA Carnet for?

A. Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Australia (includes Tasmania), Azores (select European Union as destination)

B. Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana

C. Canada, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, China, Chile, Corsica (select "European Union" as destination)

EU European Union (when applying for a Carnet to any of the 27 Member States, select "European Union" as destination in the system). If the goods are being driven to EU and are going to any MS other than France, then the Holder should also apply for an additional visit + a couple of transits (in addition to their intended visit) in case both the French Customs and the Destination Customs decide to endorse the Carnet. Additional visits / transits are not required if flying.

F. Faroe Islands

FR French overseas departments and territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane and Reunion, New Caledonia and its dependents of Wallis and Futuna Islands, French Polynesia (includes Tahiti) as well as St Barthelemy, St Martin, Mayotte and Saint Pierre et Miquelon).

G. Gibraltar

H. Hong Kong

I. Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast

J. Japan

K. Kazakhstan, Korea (Republic of), Kuala Lumpur (select Malaysia as destination)

L. Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein

M. Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira (select European Union as destination), Malaysia (includes Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak), Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco (select "European Union" as destination), Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco

N. Namibia, New Zealand, Norway

P. Pakistan

Q. Qatar

R. Russian Federation

S. Sabah (select Malaysia as destination), Sarawak (select Malaysia as destination), Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, SACCU (select Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia or Swaziland as destination), Sri Lanka, Switzerland (includes Liechtenstein)

T. Taiwan (not covered by ATA Carnet; a separate Carnet is available from London Chamber), Tasmania (select Australia as destination), Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey

U. Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, USA (includes District of Columbia and Puerto Rico)

V. Vietnam

Join London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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