Origin of the ATA Carnet System

In 1961, The ATA Carnet Convention on temporary imports was adopted by the World Customs Organization to encourage world trade by reducing the barriers caused by varying national customs regulations.

National Guaranteeing Association

CCOIC is the national guaranteeing association of ATA Carnets under a set of conditions established by the World Chambers Federation, a division of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Paris. ATA Carnets allow temporary, duty-free imports overseas for goods generally qualified for use in trade shows or as commercial samples and professional equipment.

What are ATA Carnets

ATA Carnets, commonly known as “Merchandise Passports”, are international customs documents that simplify customs procedures for the temporary importation of various types of goods.

ATA Carnets ease the temporary importation of commercial samples (CS), professional equipment (PE), and goods for exhibitions and fairs (EF). They facilitate international business by avoiding extensive customs procedures, eliminating payment of duties and taxes, , and replacing the purchase of temporary import bonds. ATA Carnets can be used in China for exhibitions and fairs (EF), commercial samples (CS), professional equipment (PE) and sporting goods. 

Benefits of Carnets

·         Carnets save time, effort, and money.

·         One document, one application.

·         Valid for one year.

·         Accepted in70+ counties and territories.

·         Covers commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods for exhibitions and fairs.

·         Eliminates duties, taxes, and temporary importation bonds.

·         Paperwork in Chinese/English.

Chinese Customs database

China Customs take electronic control over ATA Carnets. All ATA Carnets’ Chinese texts will be transmitted to Customs database. The transmitting function will be performed by CCPIT/CCOIC.

-       For ATA goods, transported as freight goods, broker shall contact with CCPIT/CCOIC for electronic data registration before declaring to China Customs.

-       For hand-carry goods, holders may undergo paper verification by China Customs firstly, and then go to CCPIT/CCOIC with original carnet for electronic data registration in the following three working days.

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