International Affairs

Temporary Exportation of Goods

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.

Advantages

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 the CCI Magdeburg. 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.
  • The ATA Carnet is fundamentally valid for one year. This means that you can use a Carnet issued by the CCI Magdeburg for as many trips as needed within one year.
 
Not all countries who are members of the Carnet procedure recognize 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 recognize 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 CCI Magdeburg.
 

Issuing ATA Carnets

ATA Carnets are issued by the CCI Magdeburg. The printed ATA Carnets and the supplementary sheets can be obtained from the counter in our Service Centre and from authorized specialist retailers.
The CCI Magdeburg 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 the region of the CCI Magdeburg. Our Chamber makes a charge for issuing an ATA Carnet. For member companies, this charge is currently EUR 25.00. For private persons, corporations and for companies which are not members of the Chamber, the charge for issuing a Carnet is currently EUR 30.00.
The German Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), 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 AG. 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 AG is destined to provide reinsurance for the customs guarantor (securitizing 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.