Save time and money with the ATA Carnet

The ATA Carnet procedure - what's that?

The ATA Carnet is a customs document which facilitates the temporary use of for instance professional equipment, trade fair materials and commercial samples in those third countries affiliated to the Carnet procedure. Over 70 European and non-European states have now signed up to the ATA Carnet procedure. The affiliated countries are listed on the green cover sheet of the printed ATA Carnet. The ”Carnet A.T.A." – section of our German-language export reference work "K und M" - Guide to Consular and Import Documentation Requirements similarly contains an overview of the Carnet member states.
The ATA Carnet procedure has the following advantages:
  • You can complete the formalities under customs law for temporary use in all Carnet member states by submitting the ATA Carnet form issued by our Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. In those states which are not members of the Carnet procedure, you would need to register your goods in accordance with the national customs regulations for temporary use of dutiable goods.
  • Payment of customs duties and other import charges lapses in those countries in which the goods are being used on a temporary basis. Provision of a security against the import charges, which is normally required in connection with temporary use of dutiable goods, similarly lapses. This is made possible by the fact that the German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK – Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer, Berlin), in whose name our Chamber of Commerce issues ATA Carnets, provides an absolute suretyship in respect of the foreign customs authorities for your import charges.
  • The ATA Carnet is fundamentally valid for one year. This means that you can use a Carnet issued by our Chamber of Commerce for as many trips as needed within one year.
Not all countries who are members of the Carnet procedure recognise Carnets for all the intended purposes (professional equipment, trade fair materials and commercial samples). In many countries, special regulations need to be respected. Some countries also recognise Carnets for intended purposes in addition to the above (e.g. sports competitions). Before applying for a Carnet, you are therefore advised to discuss the situation with the Carnet issuing office at the Chamber of Commerce's Service Centre.

Issuing ATA Carnets

ATA Carnets are issued by the Chamber of Commerce's Service Centre. The printed ATA Carnets and the supplementary sheets can be obtained  from authorised specialist retailers. Get more information from the International Chamber of Commerce.
Our Chamber of Commerce issues ATA Carnets for companies which are members of the Chamber and for other natural persons and legal entities having their main domicile or base in Hamburg. Our Chamber of Commerce makes a charge for issuing an ATA Carnet. For member companies, this charge is currently EUR 50.00. For private persons, corporations and for companies which are not members of the Chamber, the charge for issuing a Carnet is currently EUR 90.00. These charges apply for the processing of up to 10 insert sheets. For each additional 2 insert sheets, the charge is increased by EUR 1.00. The charge is payable at the counter in our Service Centre before the Carnet is delivered.
For returned Carnets ATA which were not handled in proper form, the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce will charge an additional fee to the holder of the Carnet ATA. This fee amounts to EUR 20.00 for members of the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce or EUR 30.00 for non-members.

ICC Fee
The ICC Fee (ICC= International Chamber of Commerce) of EUR 12.00 net plus 19% VAT (= EUR 2.28) is charged additionally per A.T.A. Carnet.  The ICC fee is a transitory item. The fee is collected in the name and for the account of DIHK (Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer, Berlin).

The German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK – Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer, Berlin), represented by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, is the guarantor absolute under the ATA Carnet procedure for import charges in the country of use. To cover the payment risk, a reinsurance contract was concluded with Euler Hermes Deutschland Niederlassung der Euler Hermes SA (Allianz Trade). In applying for the issue of an ATA Carnet, you are therefore simultaneously applying to conclude guaranty insurance. The insurance premium which we collect and which is to be paid over to Euler Hermes Deutschland Niederlassung der Euler Hermes SA is destined to provide reinsurance for the customs guarantor (securitising the customs risk). However, this is not linked to the concluding of transport insurance or of insurance in respect of import charge debts possibly arising for you in the third countries. We collect the insurance premium in addition to the Carnet issuing charge, before the Carnet is issued. The level of the insurance premium is geared to the total value of the goods listed in the Carnet.
The insurance premium is as follows:

For goods up to the value of – 9,999.99 EUR


37.00 EUR


From –  10,000.00 EUR to – 24,999.99 EUR:


 63.00 EUR


From –  25,000.00 EUR to – 49,999.99 EUR:


 110.00 EUR


From –  50,000.00 EUR to – 149,999.99 EUR:


 210.00 EUR


From – 150,000.00 EUR to – 299,999.99 EUR:


 380.00 EUR


From – 300,000.00 EUR to – 499,999.99 EUR:


 630.00 EUR


For each additional commenced – 500,000.00 EUR:


 420.00 EUR