What is ATA Carnet? Why Used? How to Take?
In terms of trade, each country follows a different procedure. That’s why paperwork in international trade is a bit complicated. It is possible that the documents may increase or decrease as the country of trade changes. As a solution to this situation, some countries have made an agreement among themselves. Countries gathered under the umbrella of the Temporary Import Convention have approved the use of ATA carnets to minimize the paperwork burden. So what is the ATA carnet and how to get it?
What is Ata Report Card?
ATA carnet is a document used within the scope of the Temporary Import Agreement issued for international customs procedures. In import and export transactions between the countries that are party to the agreement, this document called the ATA carnet is used to minimize the number of documents. Additional documents are not needed in international commercial activities where this document is used; The process goes faster and easier. This regulation, also known as ATA or Istanbul Convention, allows the import and export of certain products within temporary periods.
What is ATA Carnet?
ATA carnet is a document used to facilitate international customs procedures. It reduces the number of documents in temporary import and export transactions between countries that are party to the agreement.
How Does the Ata Report Card System Work?
ATA carnet procedures are carried out by the World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ISS) and the World Chambers Federation (WCF). But businesses; They communicate not with these institutions, but with the body authorized to carry out the relevant transactions in the country where they are located. These authorized bodies carry out the transactions as guarantors for these institutions. The authorized body in Turkey is TOBB, that is, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges.
ATA Carnet System
ATA carnet transactions are managed by the World ATA Carnet Council and the World Chamber Federation. In Turkey, these operations are carried out by TOBB.
There are multiple annexes in the ATA carnet system. Countries can also use the system by drawing borders within the scope of these annexes. Since trading in certain goods and items is prohibited, these additions ensure that the system operates efficiently. The annexes in question are as follows:
Annex D – Animal Annex
Annex B9 – Goods Imported for Humanitarian Purposes
Annex B8 – Goods Imported Within the Scope of Border Trade
Annex B7 – Tourist Promotional Materials
Annex B6 – Passenger Personal Effects and Goods Imported for Sporting Purposes
Annex B5 – Goods Imported for Educational, Scientific or Cultural Purposes
Annex B4 – Goods Imported for Manufacturing Purposes
Annex B3 – Containers, Pallets, Packaging, Samples and Other Articles Relating to a Commercial Transaction
Appendix B2 – Professional Supplies
Annex B1- Items to be Displayed or Used in Exhibitions, Fairs, Meetings and Similar Events
These annexes can be arranged separately according to the goods imported or exported. Apart from this, report cards issued within the framework of the provisions in Annex A cover all of the above.
For what purposes is the Ata Report Card used?
ATA carnet is used to facilitate customs procedures. Just like micro-export transactions, it ensures that export transactions within the scope of the report card are completed with a single document. However, it is not possible to use this report card for e-export transactions within the scope of micro export. The purpose of establishing the international ATA system is; It is to benefit parties who wish to make temporary imports and exports, such as institutions, individuals, customs authorities and other entities.
Purposes of Use of ATA Carnet
ATA carnet is used to speed up customs procedures, conduct transactions under international guarantee and provide tax exemption during the temporary import process.
This report card is also used to conduct transactions under international guarantee. There is no need for any extra process for items under international guarantee. During the import process, neither the importer nor the customs require any additional action.
It is quite easy to prepare the report card. Likewise, document control by customs becomes easier when there is a carnet. Accordingly, shortening customs transit times in the import and re-export of goods can also be added to the purposes of using the carnet. ATA carnet is also used for temporary imports more than once. The right to reuse is limited to the validity period of the report card. In addition, the ATA carnet can be used for the import of goods for which partial exemption can be applied.
Which Institutions Issue Ata Report Card?
Transactions regarding report card distribution are carried out by institutions authorized by the TOBB Board of Directors. Authority is given to the chambers of commerce and industry. The institutions that issue ATA carnets in Turkey are as follows:
Konya Chamber of Industry
Konya Chamber of Commerce
Kayseri Chamber of Industry
Ankara Chamber of Industry
Ankara Chamber of Commerce
Kuşadası Chamber of Commerce
Kocaeli Chamber of Industry
Izmir Chamber of Commerce
Istanbul Chamber of Commerce
Gebze Chamber of Commerce
Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce
Eskisehir Chamber of Commerce
Adana Chamber of Commerce
Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Antakya Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Van Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Uşak Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry
What are the Requirements to Obtain an Ata Report Card?
In order to receive a report card, it is necessary to apply, have the relevant documents and pay a deposit. When the application is made online, there may be an advantage in submitting documents. Cash or a letter of guarantee from the bank can be given as collateral. ATA carnet guarantee rates are announced by the authorized institution at certain periods. It is generally calculated based on the amount of goods that are subject to commercial activity. Some of the costs can be covered by using import and export government supports.
How to Get Ata Report Card?
Organizations authorized to make temporary imports in line with the ATA carnet legislation can obtain a carnet through the ATAK system put into service by TOBB. Applications are made online. First, the membership process is completed by clicking the “Register” button in the upper right corner of the portal and filling in the necessary information. Then, you can log in to the system with the “Log In” button in the upper right corner.
After logging in to the system, click on the “My Applications” and “New Application” tabs. You can apply for an ATA carnet from the page you access. An e-signature is required to complete the application. The application process is completed after signing with e-signature. The process of printing a report card after approval belongs to the applicant institution.
What should be taken into consideration when filling out the Ata Report Card?
Before issuing the report card, care should be taken to ensure that the printed documents comply with the legislation. One of the determining factors among the features of the ATA carnet is the colors. The colors of the report cards printed on 80 gram A4 paper should also be adjusted correctly. ATA carnet colours are as follows:
Green page with report card information and general list: Pantone 353 U (50% Tram)
Yellow import pages: PANTONE 2001 C
Blue transit sheets: PANTONE 324 U (70% Tram)
One of the things to consider during the process of filling out a report card is that the items subject to import are not prohibited. It is forbidden to carry goods that will be subject to consumption with ATA carnets. Additionally, tobacco and alcohol derivatives cannot be transported. For foodstuffs, very small samples are allowed.
What is the validity period of the Ata Report Card System?
Carnets obtained for international trade in the ATA system have a certain validity period. Therefore, taking it once is not enough. The duration of the ATA carnet is 1 year, valid from the date of issuance. There is no regulation that allows this period to be extended. If more time is needed for a particular item, a new report card may be issued. The new report card issuance process may not be valid in every country.
There are also certain restrictions on the right to use the report card, which has a limited validity period. A report card can be used a maximum of 4 times within its validity period. If the number of pages of the report card is not sufficient for 4 different import transactions, an additional report card can be issued and added to the main set. It is not possible to add items to these report cards later. It is valid as it was at the time of registration, from the moment it is registered by the chamber.
What are the Benefits of Using Ata Report Card?
Normally, during the import process, a product in circulation is checked in every country it crosses the border. These checks are carried out in extreme detail and time may be lost until reaching the target country. In the ATA system, there is no extra check for goods passing through countries where the carnet is valid. Presentation of the carnet is sufficient for the goods to pass through customs.
Benefits of Using ATA Carnet
ATA carnet reduces the number of documents in international trade, accelerates customs procedures and provides tax exemption. It also offers the ability to import and export to multiple countries.
Another advantage of the report card is that it gives the right to import to more than one country. It also has the benefit of re-exporting. In line with these details, both import and export can be done with the ATA carnet. Tax exemption advantages arising from such transactions also remain valid.
