Documentation

ATA Carnets

An ATA (Admission Temporary Admission) Carnet is a temporary customs clearance document that removes the need to raise bonds or deposit duty at customs posts, reducing the clearance time on importation and re-exportation. A Carnet is valid for up to one year.

Carnets are issued and guaranteed by national organisations around the world. The terms and conditions of the ATA Carnet System are enforced through written agreements between guaranteeing associations of the ATA Carnet chain and the World Chambers Federation in Paris.

There are 69 countries currently participating in the ATA Carnet system. Goods that qualify for the document include commercial samples, goods for exhibition, professional equipment and other non-consumable items.

Advantages of using a Carnet

Saves you money
A Carnet allows temporary duty free admission of goods into foreign countries. You don't need to put up security bonds at each Customs point, which avoids the worry of retrieving your funds from each foreign agency when the goods exit.

Saves you time
You don't need to prepare importation forms for different countries - simply present your Carnet with the goods at each Customs point of entry. 

Saves you hassle
You will avoid the possibility of your goods being confiscated by Customs who may require payment for the release of the goods.

Makes good business sense
You can make Customs arrangements in advance for countries to be visited at a predetermined cost. You can also make any number of trips with the same goods within the validity period of the Carnet and additional countries can be added.

Types of goods covered

• Commercial samples e.g. jewellery, apparel, telecommunications.
• Goods for use or display at an exhibition. 
• Professional equipment e.g. computers, machinery, photographic and filming equipment, musical and audio equipment.
• Scientific equipment.
• Goods for use at a sporting event e.g. racing car/bike, rally car, horse, yacht/boat.

Carnets do not cover: 

• Consumable goods or disposable items e.g. food and beverages, chemicals and brochures.
• Goods intended for processing or repair.

Countries that accept Carnets and types of goods accepted
Please click here for a list of countries that accept Carnets and the types of goods accepted.

Countries with special conditions
Please click here for a list of countries with special conditions.

Fees and bond/security/insurance
Aside from the service fee for the issue of a Carnet, a security bond must also be lodged with the Chamber or an insurance premium paid.  The security value is an amount equal to the highest assessment of duty and internal tax of the countries to be visited on the goods listed, plus 20% thereof. A Carnet cannot be issued until the Chamber is supplied with security or insurance in any one of the following forms:

• Indemnity Insurance Premium

The holder pays a non-refundable premium (company cheque acceptable), calculated as a percentage of the security value, which indemnifies the Chamber against claims for the payment of duties and taxes. The holder, however, remains liable for any claims for the payment of such duties and taxes from Customs authorities.  This option will assist holders who do not have sufficient accessible funds for a bond or guarantee or who wish to keep available funds unencumbered. To take up this option, an “ATA Carnet Indemnity Proposal Form” must be completed. GST applies.

• Cash
• Bank cheque made payable to CCIWA
• Bank guarantee

The security shall be unlimited as to time.  The Chamber will retain the right not to relinquish the security until satisfied that the Carnet, upon its return, has been completed correctly. This requires the counterfoils to be intact, signed and stamped by the relevant customs authority and for any unused vouchers to be returned.  The return of the security thereafter will be conditional on there being no unforeseen and irrefutable liability arising.  Please note that Carnets issued for Taiwan will be issued by VECCI and separate fees and deposit apply.

The Carnet holder is solely responsible for any cost of negotiations with, or proceedings against, Customs authorities, or any other person, in connection with any claim for payment of import duties and/or taxes on missing goods.  A regularisation fee of $275 will be charged if the Carnet is used incorrectly by the holder, necessitating the issuing Chamber negotiating with Customs to regularise the documentation. Such an event will also delay refund of the security.

For Carnets issued for commercial samples and goods for exhibition, the service fee is classified as eligible expenditure under Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants Scheme.

 
The above prices include 10% GST. 

* Cancellation Fee will be charged if the Carnet is cancelled after being processed.

** Amendment Fee will be charged if any changes/additions/deletions are made to the Carnet after being processed.

Terms of Issue
The Chamber reserves the right, at all times, to refuse to issue a Carnet to any applicant.

Obligations 
Re-export the goods from any country into which they have been temporarily imported, within the validity period stipulated by foreign Customs, and return the goods to Australia.
 
Pay the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Western Australia immediately upon receipt of its demand in writing, all or any fees, costs, liabilities and expenses of any nature incurred by the Chamber as a result of, or in connection with, the issue of your Carnet.
 
Have your security deposit/bond used to reimburse the Chamber for any duty, taxes or other charges as above if incurred by the Chamber in connection with the issue of your Carnet.
 
Return the Carnet to the Chamber so that the document can be checked and, if all requirements are met, the security released.
 
It is your responsibility to always ensure - insist if necessary - that the Carnet is properly completed at each Customs entry and exit point.

Claims
A claim for sales tax/duty may be filed by overseas Customs under the following circumstances:  

• goods are not re-exported from the overseas country and returned to Australia within the validity period of the Carnet;
• Carnet pages are not properly endorsed at each Customs point;
• improper or inadequate description of goods on the Carnet;
• goods (and/or Carnet) are stolen or lost; and
• goods are sold.