ATA Carnet in Brazil
The ATA Carnet is an efficient method for the temporary importation of goods. The unified and globally accepted system is beneficial for those who need to import goods temporarily and want to reduce taxes, fees and bureaucracy. Here are the basics of how the system functions and where Brazil stands on the ATA Carnet.
The ATA Carnet, pronounced kar-nay, is branded as the passport for goods. ATA is an acronym created from the French and English phrases Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission. It´s a widely used international customs document that permits the tax-exempt importation of goods for a limited period of time up to the maximum of 1 year. The ATA Carnet system has been adopted in over 80 countries and territories on every continent.
The following countries employ the ATA Carnet system:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Antarctica
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Azores (Portugal)
- Bahrain
- Balearic Islands (see Spain)
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Canary Islands
- Ceuta
- Chile
- China
- Corsica (France)
- Cote d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- European Union
- Faroe Islands (Denmark)
- Finland
- France
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia - Tahiti
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland (Denmark)
- Guadeloupe (France)
- Guam
- Guernsey (United Kingdom)
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Ireland
- Isle of Man (United Kingdom)
- Israel
- Italy
- Ivory Coast see Cote d'Ivoire
- Japan
- Jersey (United Kingdom)
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho (SACU)
- Liechtenstein (Admin by Switz.)
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macao, China
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Madeira (Portugal)
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Martinique
- Mauritius
- Mayotte (France)
- Melilla (Spain)
- Mexico
- Miquelon (France)
- Moldova
- Monaco (Admin by France)
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Namibia (SACU)
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia (France)
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Pakistan
- Poland
- Portugal
- Puerto Rico (USA)
- Reunion Island (France)
- Romania
- Russia
- Saipan
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St. Barthelemy (France)
- St. Martin (French Side)
- St. Pierre (France)
- Swaziland (SACU)
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tahiti (France)
- Taiwan
- Tasmania (Australia)
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Wallis & Futuna (France)
How the ATA Carnet works
The ATA Carnet is applicable for just about anything. The International Chamber of Commerce, the ICC, states that if you can name it and it´s not consumable or perishable, then the ATA Carnet will most likely be applicable. Those wishing to utilise the system apply for the document in their home country with the adequate information, itinerary, and destination for the subject goods. More than one country may be included on the itinerary which allows for temporarily imported goods to go from country to country without having to be returned to the home country and exported again under a new ATA Carnet.
The ATA Carnet is a lot simpler, faster and more cost-effective method for temporary importation of goods into a country. To obtain the document, the proper paperwork must be filed and fees paid. Then, a form of collateral is put into place, normally a bond, and is used to insure compliance of the terms and conditions set forth by the ATA Carnet governing body, the ICC. The collateral is returned or cancelled once the goods have re-entered the country of origin, all terms and conditions have been met, and any claims made by foreign governments have been resolved. The system was designed with simplicity in mind and truly facilitates the temporary importation of goods globally.
Typical examples of goods imported using the ATA Carnet are:
- Presentation materials for use in conferences, trade shows, etc.
- Equipment for sporting events e.g. racing boats or stunt planes
- Product samples
- Goods for educational, scientific or cultural use
- Production equipment e.g. camera equipment, sound equipment or lighting
- Goods for use in manufacturing
- Oil and gas production equipment
The Adoption of the ATA Carnet in Brazil
Even though it was considered to be a priority for the 2014 Soccer World Cup, Brazil only entered the ATA Carnet system at the end of June 2016, just a few weeks ahead of the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics. The ATA Carnet is ideal for this type of event allowing for hassle free, temporary importation of the necessary goods for the occasion. Brazil is currently accepting ATA Carnets for the intended uses of:
- Professional equipment
- Exhibitions and fairs
Unfortunately Brazil is still not accepting commercial samples.