ATA Carnet
eATA Carnet
The eATA Carnet project aims to digitalise ATA Carnets and their lifecycle management process – from issuance and declarations to transactions and claims.
Go directly to:
What is eATA Carnet?
First developed by ICC in 2016 with the support of the World Customs Organization, eATA Carnet was launched to provide various digital tools tailored for a range of stakeholders including:
- A smartphone application, the ATA Carnet app, enabling Carnet holders to carry and declare digital versions of their customs documents.
- ATA Carnet Customs, enabling customs officers to verify Carnets and approve digitally declared transactions.
- The ATA Carnet Core, the central engine and database of the whole ATA Carnet System.
- The ATA Gateway, a lightweight issuing module made available to NGAs and IAs to issue paper and digital carnets.
How does the eATA system work?
- When a Carnet is being issued, holders will also obtain a digital ATA Carnet, generated from the National Issuing and Claims Systems (NICS), which is run by a National Guaranteeing Association (NGA).
- The holder then downloads the ordered Carnet into his or her smartphone wallet using ICC’s ATA Carnet app. If necessary, they can share it with his or her customs representative. For security purposes, the Carnet is encrypted and never transmitted in ‘open format’ on the network.
- When crossing a border, the holder, or their customs representative, unlocks the downloaded Carnet and prepares a declaration using the ATA Carnet app. A QR code is generated for each declaration to present to the customs officer upon travel.
- The customs officer then scans the QR code, reviews the declared elements via the ATA Carnet Customs Portal and determines if the goods can enter or exit the border. If the declaration is correct and accepted, the customs officer will the transaction via the ATA Carnet Customs Portal.
- The transaction is then recorded and a confirmation is sent to the holder or customs representative’s smartphone.
Learning about the eATA pilot phase
While basic functionalities of the system have been built, the project is currently running a pilot phase with selected NGA members and their respective customs authorities.
Currently, the pilot is implemented in the following countries:
| COUNTRY | PARTICIPATION | STARTING FROM | TRANSACTION PORTS | MEANS OF TRANSPORT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2019-10-20 | Zurich Airport. Customs offices located at: – Check-In 1– Airside Centre– Arrival 2– General Aviation Centre. Above locations can be found on the Zurich Airport website | Passenger |
| Belgium | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2019-12-09 | Brussels International Airport | Passenger and cargo |
| Liège Airport | Cargo only, including horses | |||
| China | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2020-01-02 | Beijing Capital International Airport | Passenger and cargo |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport | Passenger and cargo | |||
| Russia | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2020-10-30 | Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow | Passenger and cargo |
| Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow Oblast | Passenger and cargo | |||
| Specialized Customs point (internal customs post), Smolnaya st. 12, Moscow | Passenger and cargo | |||
| Multilateral automobile checkpoint (MAPP) Ubylinka Border Crossing Station | Cargo | |||
| Germany | NGA (Issuing only)* | 2022-03-15 | N/A | N/A |
| North Macedonia | NGA (Issuing only)* | 2023-05-05 | N/A | N/A |
| Norway | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2022-04-01 | Oslo Harbour, Customs Office: Utstikker II | Passenger and cargo |
| Oslo Harbour, Customs Office: Hjortnes port | Passenger and cargo | |||
| Stavanger Customs Office, Airport Sola | cargo and passenger | |||
| Stavanger Customs Office, Risvika port | cargo and passenger | |||
| 2022-09-01 | Gardermoen Airport | cargo and passenger | ||
| Canada | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2022-04-11 | Montréal-Trudeau International Airport | Cargo |
| United Kingdom | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2022-05-10 | Heathrow Airport | Passenger and cargo |
| Sweden | NGA (Issuing only)* | 2023-03-23 | N/A | N/A |
| Estonia | NGA (issuing) + Customs (transaction) | 2023-09-01 | EE1310EE - Airport Customs Office Valukoja 32/3, Tallinn 11415 | Cargo |
*Germany NGA, Sweden NGA and North Macedonia NGA are issuing ATA carnets digitally to help boost eATA transactions (test results) in other pilot countries.
Finding support
NGAs act as ICC’s national coordinators for pilot participants. If you are a Carnet user or a customs officer involved in the project and have questions or would like to receive support, please contact the NGA in your country. Contact details are provided in the ATA Carnet page
