A Carnet, also known as ATA Carnet (pronounced kar-nay), is a physical customs document, which serves as a temporary passport for goods. It enables hassle-free customs clearance in a whopping 87 countries by exempting duty and import taxes on goods that are meant for re-exportation within 12 months* of their arrival.

It is generally for trade fairs or exhibitions, or for professional equipment and samples.

There are 87 countries worldwide that welcome carnets. Countries have their own rules about what goods you can bring in using an ATA Carnet. Check with the issuer in the country you’re exporting to.  To see the full up-to-date list, click here to reach the correct GOV.UK web page.

With Carnets, you can effortlessly carry out temporary exports to foreign countries and re-importation into the U.K.  Simply present an ATA Carnet document to foreign customs and your goods will travel duty-free and import tax-free into a carnet country for up to one year.

A carnet helps you to avoid paying import tax and duties making travel more affordable.

Simplified procedures will reduce delays, making travel more efficient and straight forward, also avoiding language barriers as you travel.

Allows for unlimited entries/departures for 2,6,12 months.

We can provide a 24-hour standard service.  To facilitate our urgent carnets, we have in house printing for a faster turnaround, and a courier service can be arranged.

Details of the Carnet holder (company that legally owns the goods and is responsible for payment of any duties to foreign Customs), details of the person(s) who will be travelling with the goods, intended use of the goods, and finally list of goods taken. All the goods must be individually itemised with each item having its specific description (i.e., make, serial number), weight and value to facilitate Customs identification and prevent substitution of goods.

You can have as many names as you need.

As many items as you require the pages can be extended to facilitate large carnets.

ATA Carnet does not cover the transportation of perishable and consumable items, including food, seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. Similarly, explosives, disposable items, and goods sent via post are not eligible for travel under an ATA Carnet.

To see the full up-to-date list of goods NOT covered by an ATA Carnet in the UK click here to reach the correct GOV.UK web page.

The HOLDER of the carnet is responsible for acquiring the correct validation of the ATA carnet. Not all Customs offices are manned 24 hr. Therefore, we strongly advise you to check at least 24hrs prior to your departure that a customs officer is available to validate your carnet at your port of departure.

Once the carnet has been issued, you cannot add extra goods. You’ll need to apply for another carnet.

While a carnet cannot be extended beyond its expiration date as per technical regulations, there are certain circumstances where foreign customs may permit the issuance of a replacement carnet to prolong the period of goods in the carnet country. It is important to note that the replacement carnet must be applied for before the original carnet expires in all cases.

To obtain a replacement Carnet, contact both:

• The association that issued the original carnet (Rossi Shipping) to see if a they can issue you a substitute.
• Customs in the country where the goods are currently located to see if they’ll accept a substitute carnet.

For goods currently in the UK contact the National ATA Carnet Unit on 0300 322 7064.

In the United Kingdom, there are primarily two types of carnets that are issued: the ATA Carnet and the EC/CPD/China-Taiwan Carnet. The former is utilized for temporary exports to any of the 87 countries that are members of the carnet scheme, whereas the latter is exclusively used for Taiwan, which only accepts the EC/CPD/China-Taiwan Carnet.

The ATA Carnet allows for an extensive range of goods and equipment to be transported hassle-free. From commercial samples to professional equipment, including tools of the trade, and goods for fairs and exhibitions, with a maximum of 6 months. You can have peace of mind knowing that most goods can be listed on a Carnet. Animals must be owned by a person resident outside the UK.  For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of goods covered by Carnets, click here to reach the correct GOV.UK web page.

Rossi shipping specialise in shipping for the equine industry, the musical performance industry, classic cars and for motor sport.

An ATA Carnet allows for unlimited entries/departures for 2,6,12 months.

Generally it's valid for a duration of up to 1 year from the date of issue, with the exception of Exhibitions and Fairs which are valid for 6 months. Certain countries like Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, and Singapore have different validity periods.

Although rare, a U.K. or foreign customs officer may limit the validity period upon inspection. The carnet is usable multiple times and in various countries during the valid period. Split shipments are permissible, but items cannot be added to the General List once the carnet is issued. It is worth noting that Mexico, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates do not allow split shipments.

An ATA Carnet is often recommended for use by equestrians transporting race and event horses abroad. It is a physical document that you take with your goods when you are temporarily moving them out of the UK and into other countries. Although an ATA Carnet does not alleviate the need for: horse passports.

In the event your goods listed on the ATA Carnet are lost or stolen, this should immediately be reported to the appropriate foreign customs authority and the police, to acquire a police report.

You should keep copies of stamped counterfoils and vouchers on file just in case the carnet gets lost at any point. You will need to send the intact original carnet before its expiration date.

This should be sent special delivery to the issuing body on the back page of the carnet.

Contact Rossi Shipping Today!

Rossi Shipping Ltd has built a fantastic reputation for looking after customers and producing the best results when shipping horses, classic & motorsport cars and music industry goods.

Rossi Shipping will help with the completion of the documentation and offer a 24/7 service if there where any issues whilst in transit.  Piece of mind!