Carnets
From 1 June 2026, eATA Carnets will begin rolling out globally as part of a phased transition starting with the EU, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. An eATA Carnet is the digital version of the traditional paper ATA Carnet. It digitalises ATA Carnets and their lifecycle management process – from issuance and declarations to transactions and claims.
Australian Carnet holders travelling to any eATA country (EU, Norway, Switzerland and the UK) with a Carnet issued on or after 1 June 2026 will need both a paper and a digital carnet for border processing. Digital carnets are accessed via a mobile app, with customs transactions completed electronically using QR codes rather than paper vouchers.
The VCCI will continue to update the digital eATA Carnet countries (effective from 1 June 2026) in the country list.
The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that permits duty-free temporary import/entry of goods into other countries for up to one year. The only exceptions are consumable and perishable goods.
“ATA” is an acronym of the French and English words “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission”, which is basically a process of bringing professional equipment – including musical instruments and equipment – in-and-out of a country to be exempted from import/export taxes and ease the customs process.
An ATA carnet can be obtained from a Chamber of Commerce that is a member of the World Chambers Federation of the ICC. ATA carnets are issued for a fee by Chambers of Commerce, who act as the national guaranteeing organisation (NGO), in the home country of the applicant. The NGO sets the applicable fee. In Australia, the NGO is the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
Why is an ATA Carnet necessary?
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document for almost all goods and covers 78 countries and territories. It removes the need to post bonds or pay duty on entry and the need to drawback on re-export for goods you plan to bring back to Australia. This passport for goods prevents the possibility of your goods being confiscated, simplifies customs formalities and reduces clearance times, allowing you to expand your business overseas with ease.
Although it is not necessary to apply for ATA Carnet, you must bear the risk of being fined and retained at the customs office at border control without one.
The ATA Carnet covers most goods such as commercial samples, professional equipment and goods for presentation or use at trade fairs, shows and exhibitions. Eligible goods include musical instruments, professional sound and television equipment and personal computers (laptops) used for business purposes only.
ATA Carnets are not intended for goods that will not be returning to Australia, such as food products which will be consumed as samples at a trade show. In the case that goods registered under an ATA Carnet are not returned to Australia, the company responsible for those goods will have to pay duty.
How does an ATA Carnet work?
The ATA Carnet is a simple international customs document with two sheets for presentation for each foreign country you wish to visit (importation – re-exportation), and two sheets for presentation to customs when leaving and returning to Australia (exportation – re-importation).
You give importation sheet to the foreign customs officials when you enter their country and the re exportation sheet when you leave it.
Apply For A Carnet
Within 30 minutes, you can apply for an ATA/TAITRA Carnet online, allowing the duty-free, temporary importation of goods into another country. Visit the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry website.
Recommended Contact
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
+61 3 8662 5380
carnet@victorianchamber.com.au
Additional Documents
How To Apply For A Carnet (last updated July 2026)