The ATA Carnet is an internationally recognized customs document permitting duty-free and tax-free exportation and importation of goods into countries and territories that have joined the ATA and Istanbul Conventions, for a period of up to one year. The abbreviation ATA is a combination of the French and English terms “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission” and refers to the temporary export of goods.

An ATA Carnet allows the temporary importation of commercial samples, professional equipment or goods going to either a trade fair or exhibition to the UK Customs territory including Guernsey, Isle of Man and Jersey starting from 1st January 2021.

The ATA Carnet can be used for transit, but it cannot be used for postal traffic in the United Kingdom. If necessary, the validity of the ATA Carnet can be extended, but before that companies should contact the Finnish and the British Customs Authorities and the Chamber of Commerce that issued the ATA Carnet.

ATA carnets are accepted at all ports and airports where Customs facilities for the clearance of goods in the UK Customs territory.

Dover, Euroshuttle and Holyhead – customs offices moved inland

Anyone entering or departing United Kingdom via Dover, Euroshuttle or Holyhead should be aware of the inland sites that have been introduced to take the pressure away from the ports. These sites can process ATA Carnets, CITES, TIR and CTC documentation:

GOV.UK Guidance Attending an inland border facility (link)
GOV.UK Moving goods through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel with an ATA Carnet (link)

Any ATA Carnets entering or leaving the United Kingdom via Northern Ireland, should be endorsed in Northern Ireland

For traffic over the land boundary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, the normal hours of opening are 09.00 – 17.00 hours.

Further information at www.atacarnet.fi and ata@chamber.fi and chambers of commerce