50th anniversary of ATA Carnet celebrated at WCO
THE International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) World ATA Carnet Council and many national chambers of commerce, along with Customs participants, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ATA Carnet during meetings of the ATA/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee on 24 March 2014 at the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The ATA Carnet is a prime example of successful Customs-business partnerships for promoting trade and investment. In addition, this partnership is instrumental for implementation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation (ATF) Article on Temporary Admission.
There are substantial economic benefits to be gained from temporary admissions of goods. The ATA Carnet System, which is based on the Istanbul Convention as well as the ATA Convention, is one of the most important internationally accepted systems for the movement of goods under temporary admission through multiple Customs territories.
The ATA Carnet is a simple customs document, which is readily made out by the holder and checked by the customs.
For business people the ATA Carnet provides a simple and speedy way to travel abroad with business materials. It saves both time and money and this is a very important factor in international competition.
Trade circles, guaranteeing associations and customs administrations all acknowledge the excellent operation of the ATA Carnet System.
For the customs, the use of the ATA Carnet entails less administrative work and increased customs safety since the payment of import duties and taxes is guaranteed by the guaranteeing association affiliated to the WCF/ATA guarantee chain in the territory of the temporary admission.
The guarantee is automatic and the customs need not check its validity for each Carnet. In addition, the system does not affect the revenue of the nation since the goods covered by the ATA Carnets are intended for re-exportation and not at all for sale in the country of temporary admission. The system is "self-policing" in that should the Carnet holder fail to re-export the goods within the period of validity of the Carnet, duties become payable.
The main categories of goods temporarily imported under cover of ATA Carnets are the following:
Antiques, machinery, machine-tools, catering equipment, canned food, footwear, toys, computers, office equipment, transformers, electric generators, electrical/electronic and scientific equipment, surgical and dental equipment, jewellery and articles of precious metal/stones, "hi-fi", audio-visual, photographic and filming equipment, lasers, musical instruments and records, display material, aircraft, films, motor vehicles and accessories, racing engine machinery, heating and lighting equipment, agricultural machinery, furniture, crockery, paintings and other works of art, umbrellas, race-horses, suitcases, perfume, theatrical effects and sets, concert and musical instruments, leather and sports goods, clothing, yachts and boats, display stands.
The ATA Carnet service is available to business and sales executives, exhibitors at trade fairs and traveling professionals, such as film crews, architects, artists, engineers, entertainers, photographers, sports teams and many more.