The ATA transit procedure

The ATA transit procedure is a system that allows the free movement of goods across borders and their temporary admission into a customs territory with relief from duties. The goods carried are covered by a single document known as the ATA carnet. What is this system, what are its benefits and what does ATA carnet mean? Find out everything from this Honexpres article!

The ATA system

The term “ATA” is a combination of the initial letters of the French words “Admission temporaire” and the English words “Temporary admission”. It is therefore a transit procedure concerning the temporary admission of goods into a customs territory without customs duties having to be paid. The condition for applying this system is that the goods or items carried return, within a certain period of time, in the same state in which they were on entry.

Thanks to this system, the customs transit of goods runs more easily and more quickly. Goods covered by an ATA carnet are not subject to the payment of customs duties or import taxes. It is the most widely used document for international operations involving the temporary admission of goods into a customs area.

The ATA carnet

The ATA carnet is an international customs document that allows the temporary import of goods without customs duties and import taxes for a period of up to one year.

This document contains the unified customs declaration forms prepared in advance for use at each border customs office. It serves as a guarantee for import taxes and customs duties.

In practice, this carnet is also called a passport for goods.

What are the advantages of the ATA carnet?

Established under the ATA Convention and the Istanbul Convention (the Convention on Temporary Admission) as a trade facilitation instrument, ATA carnets cut red tape by simplifying and unifying the customs border-crossing regulations for temporary import and export.

With the ATA carnet, exhibitors, sales representatives, artists, athletes, TV crews, technicians, event participants, business travellers, etc. can:

• pass through customs without paying import taxes and customs duties at each border customs office,
• use one unified document for all declarations at home and abroad,
• use a single document for several destinations and journeys during its one-year validity,
• make customs arrangements in advance at predetermined costs.

Types of goods covered

ATA carnets cover almost any type of goods carried, as specified in the Istanbul Convention. They are issued mainly to cover:

• goods to be used at trade fairs and exhibitions,
• professional equipment,
• commercial samples,
• personal effects and goods for sports purposes,
• general goods or goods for professional use that will not be released for free circulation,
• humanitarian consignments,
• means of transport,
• animals, etc.

The customs authorities accept ATA carnets in accordance with the scope they have ratified. The goods must not undergo any change while they are in the country of temporary import. The carnet does not cover perishable or consumable items, goods for processing or repair, or certain means of transport defined in Annex C to the Istanbul Convention.

These carnets are widely adopted by countries wishing to stimulate international cooperation and take full advantage of the global economy. They are accepted in approximately 80 countries/customs territories. The full list of countries that have joined the ATA system is available here.

How do you obtain an ATA carnet in Romania?

The first step in obtaining an ATA carnet in Romania is to send an application to the Camera de Comerț și Industrie a României (CCIR, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania). The application must include the following information:

• the full identification details of the legal entity signing the application,
• the purpose and estimated duration of the temporary import,
• the country of destination and the countries of transit, specifying the places where customs control is carried out (inland or at the border),
• the means of transport used, specifying the registration number,
• the appointment of the person acting as the carnet representative,
• a list, in Romanian and English, of the products included in the carnet, containing their description, quantity and, where applicable, their weight and value.

The ATA carnet is valid for a period of 12 months from the date of issue. It can be extended at the holder's request. The extension can be granted for a further 12 months, but no more than once.
For each month/part of a month in which the goods remain under the temporary admission procedure, the amount of import duty is 3% of the import duty that would have been due had the goods been released for free circulation. This amount must be paid when the procedure has been discharged.

The practical benefits of this transit procedure

The ATA transit procedure works in favour of carriers, traders, travellers of every kind and customs administrations. Here are the main practical benefits of the ATA system:

• The ATA carnet replaces the customs formalities for the temporary admission or transit of goods, thereby saving the cost of clearing the goods through customs at each border.
• The duties due are guaranteed simply by presenting the ATA carnet; there is no need for deposits in cash or in any other form.
• During the validity of this carnet, the goods can be temporarily imported into as many accepting territories as you like, and as many times as you like, with the same carnet. In general, the carnet is valid for one year.

The ATA system is an example that shows us how close cooperation between the business community and the customs system can facilitate and stimulate international trade.

Would you like to find out more about the TIR system as well? We invite you to read this article!

Honexpres – complete solutions for domestic and international shipments

Whenever you are looking for a freight forwarder with experience in organising both domestic and international transport, Honexpres is the ideal solution. We offer complete transport solutions, including related services such as goods warehousing, etc. We take care of the documentation from A to Z, organise the transport in detail and deliver your goods anywhere. For each transport we look for the shortest possible transit time and an advantageous rate; the delivery time and the rate are confirmed in the quotation. Ask for a quotation for your transport and see for yourself!

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