ATA Carnet
Also known as: Carnet, Temporary admission carnet
An international customs document that lets goods cross borders temporarily without paying duty or VAT.
The ATA (Admission Temporaire / Temporary Admission) Carnet is a passport-like booklet, valid one year, issued by national chambers of commerce under a 1961 customs treaty administered by the International Chamber of Commerce. Accepted by 80+ countries, it lets professional equipment, commercial samples, and exhibition goods enter foreign customs territory without duty deposits, then leave again on re-export. Common uses: photography rigs, broadcast equipment, trade-show stands, museum-loan artwork, race-car components, surgical instruments.