ATA Carnet

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ATA Carnet

An ATA Carnet is an international document that replaces the complex customs paperwork and security deposits otherwise required to temporarily import or export goods, or move them in bond, between ATA Convention member countries. With a carnet, you do not need to prepare separate customs documents, and your goods clear customs quickly without paying duties, VAT, or deposits to the importing country's customs.

Uses and Validity

Uses

Carnets may be used only for commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods for exhibitions and trade fairs that are used abroad and then brought back to Korea.
They cannot be used for perishable goods such as agricultural products and foodstuffs, dangerous goods, consumables and disposable items, or goods the importing country prohibits.

Ineligible Goods

Goods consumed or used up in the importing country — Food and beverages; seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides; single-use items such as catalogs and flyers; cosmetic testers and demonstration samples; gifts, giveaways, and donations; fuel
Perishable goods — Fresh food, goods requiring refrigeration or freezing, and goods with a short shelf life
Dangerous and restricted goods — Weapons, ammunition, and explosives; strategic items; hazardous chemicals; certain communications and security equipment (considered only with the importing country's permit or approval)
Goods for processing, repair, or modification — Goods to be processed, assembled, or modified abroad, and gemstones for appraisal
Goods for sale — Goods to be sold or disposed of locally, and commercial samples beyond normal sample quantities
Equipment not recognized as professional equipment — Manufacturing and production equipment, packaging and transport equipment, and construction and civil engineering equipment (ordinary hand tools excepted)

A carnet guarantees customs duties but does not guarantee clearance itself, so you must check the import and export requirements for your goods separately. (Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Certificate of Origin Center, guide on goods eligible for carnets)

Validity

Up to one year from the date of issue; some member countries allow a one-year extension.
Even within the validity period, if the importing country's customs sets a re-export deadline on the carnet, the goods must be re-exported by that deadline.

ATA Carnet documents: green, yellow, white, and light blue forms fanned out (International Chamber of Commerce logo on the cover)

How to Apply

You can apply online or in person at an issuing office.

Online — KCCI Certificate of Origin Center website (https://cert.korcham.net)
In person — Submit the application documents to an issuing office: KCCI (Seoul, +82-2-6050-3303), Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (+82-51-990-7015), Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (+82-53-222-3106), or Anyang-Gwacheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (+82-31-447-9173)

Issuance Process

Once, at the startSignature registration

A preliminary step to verify the carnet holder, renewed every year. Submit a signature registration form, a copy of your business registration certificate, and a corporate seal certificate (issued within the last 3 months). (KCCI signature registration guide; KCCI Rules on Issuance of Trade-Related Certificates, Art. 2)

For each carnetPrepare and submit the application

Submit the carnet application and undertaking, the general list, and a performance and payment guarantee insurance policy. Application forms are available at the issuing offices and can also be downloaded from the website.

FinallyCollect the carnet

Pick up the carnet at the issuing office.

Member Countries

According to the KCCI, there are 82 member countries and territories.

Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Belarus**
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
China
Côte d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India*
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Madagascar
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia**
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Tunisia
Türkiye
Ukraine**
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Vietnam

* In India, carnets may be used only for exhibition goods and professional equipment.

** Many countries have suspended issuing carnets for Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine since March 2022, so please check with the KCCI (+82-2-6050-3303) first.

Carnets can also be issued for Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Namibia, Lesotho, and Botswana, near South Africa. (KCCI, ATA Carnet User Guide)

Tell us what goods you are taking, to which countries, and for what purpose (samples, professional equipment, or an exhibition), and we will tell you whether a carnet can be used and walk you through the issuance process.

Email a Quote Request or Inquiry

Laws and requirements as of October 27, 2026