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Regulatory Requirements : ATA Carnet :
Administration of the ATA Carnet System

The ATA Carnet System is administered in accordance with the " International Customs Conventions on temporary admission of goods", developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The system was developed in response to the needs of various types of businesses to rapidly transport their products across frontiers, to trade fairs or international exhibitions, as samples to potential buyers, or simply as their own professional equipment. As a result, the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), now the World Customs Organization adopted the "Customs Convention on the A.T.A. carnet for the temporary admission of goods (ATA Convention)".

These customs conventions correspond to three main categories of goods:-

Commercial samples:- The GATT International Convention to facilitate the importation of commercial samples and advertising material (Geneva 1952).
Professional equipment: - The CCC's Customs Convention on the temporary importation of professional equipment (Brussels 1961).
Goods for presentation or use at trade fairs, shows, exhibitions or similar events: - The CCC Customs Convention concerning facilities for the importation of goods for display or use at exhibitions, fairs, meetings or similar events (Brussels 1961).

These conventions were progressively replaced by one single International Customs Convention on temporary admission named as "the WCO Istanbul Convention".

This ATA system is managed by the World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) in cooperation with the World Customs Organization (WCO). The World ATA Carnet Council, within the World Chambers Federation(WCF) runs the ATA system and its international guarantee chain. The Council is made up of representatives from all the countries and territories where Carnets are issued and accepted. The carnets are extensively used in most parts of the world, with more than 195,000 carnets issued every year for goods valued at over US$12 billion. Currently, 63 countries use the Carnet for temporary admission of commercial samples, professional equipment and goods destined for international trade fairs and similar events. For the customs, the use of the ATA Carnet entails less administrative work and increased customs safety since the payment of import duties and taxes is guarantied by the guaranteeing body affiliated to the WCF/ATA guarantee chain in the territory of temporary admission. Each country in the ATA Carnet system has a single guaranteeing body approved by the national customs authorities and the World Chambers Federation(WCF). Such a national guaranteeing body is entitled to issue Carnets and to authorize local chambers in the national territory to deliver them on its behalf. But, in India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), is appointed as National Guaranteeing & Issuing Association for ATA Carnets. It is India's sole national guarantor for ATA Carnet.

Role of FICCI in the ATA Carnet System

It issues and endorses carnets through various issuing agencies. It also endorses carnets issued by authorised chambers in the international chain.
It guarantees the payment of duties and taxes to customs (both domestic and foreign) authorities that present valid claims.
It works closely with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Customs Office for smooth functioning of ATA Carnet.
It has relations with:- local issuing officers, carnet holders, foreign guaranteeing associations as well as with World Chambers Federation(WCF) international secretariat.
It helps in promotion and marketing through:-