ATA Carnet is a system which allows free movement
of goods across frontiers and their temporary admission into a customs
territory with relief from duties and taxes. The initials “ATA” are an
acronym of the French and English word “Admission Temporaire / Temporary
Admission”. The goods under the system are covered by a single document
known as the ATA carnet which is secured by an international guarantee
system. In other words, the ATA Carnet is an International Uniform Customs
document issued in
63 countries including India, which are parties to the Customs Convention
on ATA Carnet. It permits duty free temporary admission of goods into
a member country without the need to raise customs bond and fulfillment
of other customs formalities in one or a number of foreign countries.
All business travelers around the world, from pop singers
to computer salesmen can obtain the ATA Carnet. It allows them to bring
their equipment into a country for their own professional use for a period
of up to one year. The items in question may be as bulky as sound or lighting
systems for open-air rock concerts or as delicate as a surgeon's scalpel.
It also allows the temporary admission of goods for trade fairs and exhibitions
and commercial samples. A single Carnet covers visits to an unlimited
number of ATA countries in a year and carnets may be issued within a few
days at low cost and with minimal formalities. It thus provides a simple
and speedy way to travel abroad with business materials, saving both time
and money. Trade circles, guaranteeing associations and customs administrations
all acknowledge the excellent operation of the ATA Carnet System. The
carnet system illustrates that close co-operation between business and
customs can facilitate and stimulate international trade.
