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International Trade vocabulary · Customs and Tariffs

ATA Carnet

Meaning in international trade, with examples

/ˌeɪ tiː ˈeɪ kɑːrˈneɪ/nounAdvanced term

In international trade, ATA Carnet means: An international customs document that lets goods such as trade fair exhibits, commercial samples and professional equipment enter a country temporarily without paying duties.

In Turkish: ATA karnesi, geçici kabul belgesi

How it is used

Issued by chambers of commerce (in Turkey through TOBB and authorised chambers) and usually valid for up to one year. The goods must leave the country again before the carnet expires. Used by exhibitors, film crews and sales teams travelling with samples.

Example sentences

  1. We are taking the machine to the Hannover fair under an ATA Carnet.

  2. Customs stamped the ATA Carnet when the samples left the country.

Common collocations

  • apply for an ATA Carnet
  • ATA Carnet for exhibitions
  • ATA Carnet voucher
  • travel with an ATA Carnet
  • sampleA small quantity or a single piece of a product sent to a buyer so they can check its quality, design or specifications before ordering.
  • customs clearanceThe process of completing all customs formalities and paying any duties so that goods are allowed to leave or enter a country.
  • customs dutyThe tax paid to customs on imported goods, calculated from their customs value, their HS code and sometimes their origin.
  • exportThe sale of goods or services to buyers in another country; also a product that is sold abroad in this way.

More terms: Customs and Tariffs

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