Digital ATA Carnets – How the 2026 Transition Changes the Process

ATA Carnet procedures are expected to be fully digital by the 1st of January 2028. From the 1st of June 2026, 30 countries – including all 27 EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom – will begin accepting digital carnets.

Contents:

• What an ATA carnet is and isn’t
• How the eATA carnet system works
• 30 countries activate digital carnets from June 2026
• Managing mixed itineraries during the transition phase
• The road to full digitalisation by January 2028
• The operational cost of getting this wrong
• How CSG supports your carnet transition

What an ATA Carnet Is and Isn’t

The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows goods to be temporarily imported into a participating country without payment of import duties or taxes. The goods must be re-exported within the carnet’s validity period – which often six or 12 months, but can be longer.

The carnet is accepted in over 80 countries and is typically used for professional equipment, commercial samples, and goods destined for trade fairs and exhibitions.

A key element of the ATA Carnet procedure is the understanding that the goods will be re-exported – and in the same condition. The purpose is not like that of other temporary procedures which allow for goods to be sold, and the tax paid on the difference in stock during export.

However, goods can still be sold off of an ATA Carnet – it is just inefficient from a duty management standpoint.

When goods are sold off an ATA Carnet, there is usually an additional import duty on top of the full rate applicable to that commodity in the destination country. A typical supplementary rate is 10% which – especially for high-value equipment such as machinery, technical equipment, and production tools – can represent a significant and unexpected cost.

Therefore, it is best to use ATA Carnets when the goods are not destined for sale.

How the eATA Carnet System Works

The eATA Carnet System was developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and endorsed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in 2016. It digitalises the entire ATA Carnet lifecycle from application and issuance through to declarations, transactions, and claims.

The system operates through three components:

• The ATA Carnet Core is the central engine and database that manages secure data exchange.
• ATA Carnet Customs is a web portal enabling customs officers to verify carnets and approve digitally declared transactions.
• The ATA Carnet App functions as a secure mobile digital wallet for holders and their representatives. Users prepare travel declarations in the app and present a QR code at customs checkpoints — replacing the physical paper document entirely.

The process begins with an online application through the holder’s issuing association. The user receives a Carnet ID and PIN, downloads the app, and prepares travel declarations before departure. At the checkpoint, a QR code is scanned.

(Related: Export Documents — Which Types Are There and When Do You Need Them?)

30 Countries Activate Digital Carnets from June 2026

The first major milestone in the eATA transition is the 1^st of June 2026. On that date, 30 countries and customs territories will begin accepting digital carnets and shift to a digital ATA Carnet procedure – including all 27 EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

For businesses trading across Europe, this makes digital carnets the expected format from that date.

Before each departure, holders must check the digital readiness status of every country on their itinerary. A journey that passes through both digital-ready and non-digital countries requires careful preparation – and potentially both formats.

Managing Mixed Itineraries During the Transition Phase

Not all customs administrations will shift to digital simultaneously. The eATA Global Transition Plan (GTP), created by ICC and adopted by the WCO, exists specifically to support this period of parallel operation.

During the transition, issuing chambers will issue ATA Carnets in paper format, digital format, or both – depending on the digital readiness of the countries on the itinerary.

At customs checkpoints, holders must present the correct format for each country. Paper carnets apply where digital procedures have not yet been activated. Digital carnets – presented via QR code – apply where they have.

Whilst the itinerary crosses both paper and digital countries, both formats must be maintained and validated. A single paper country on the route means the paper carnet remains active throughout – and cannot be set aside once issued.

The practical implication is that businesses with itineraries spanning multiple countries need to check readiness status before each trip as they may need to operate with both carnet formats simultaneously during this period.

The Road to Full Digitalisation by January 2028

The mandate from the WCO is clear: ATA Carnet procedures must be fully digital worldwide by the 1^st of January 2028. More customs administrations are expected to confirm readiness by the end of 2027, closing the transition window progressively.

For businesses, this creates a clear planning horizon. European trade lanes are the immediate priority as digital carnets become the standard from the 1^st of June 2026. Businesses with wider international itineraries should plan for rolling activations through 2027.

The transition is not simply a format change. It requires businesses to align their internal data processes – goods descriptions, commodity information, itinerary planning – with the requirements of the digital system before they need it at the border.

The Operational Cost of Getting This Wrong

For businesses that regularly use ATA Carnets – manufacturers taking equipment to trade shows, businesses moving professional samples across borders, firms operating machinery demonstrations internationally — the transition carries real operational exposure.

Arriving at a digital-ready customs point without the correct digital carnet format risks delays, rejection, or goods being held at the border. In practice, this means disrupted schedules, additional costs, and potential reputational damage with international customers or trade fair organisers.

The risk compounds on mixed itineraries. A business presenting the wrong format can face the same outcome as a missing document. Format errors are not accommodated at the checkpoint.

Businesses that have relied on informal practices around ATA Carnet use will find digital systems leave far less room for procedural ambiguity. Every transaction is logged, traceable, and time-stamped – including any goods that do not return as declared.

How CSG Supports Your Carnet Transition

Customs Support Group provides practical assistance throughout the eATA transition:

• Reviewing your current ATA Carnet usage and identifying which trade lanes are affected by the June 2026 activation
• Advising on format requirements for mixed itineraries and multi-country journeys
• Supporting your internal data processes to align with eATA digital system requirements
• Assessing any exposure where goods may have been incorrectly handled under existing carnet procedures
• Confirming the correct carnet type for your goods, journey, and customs territory

Contact us to review your ATA Carnet arrangements ahead of the June 2026 activation.