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What is an ATA Carnet?

An ATA Carnet is a Customs document that facilitates the temporary export of goods overseas and is valid for up to one year. Carnets are also called ‘Passports for Goods’.

ATA carnets can save businesses time and money by eliminating duties and taxes and by avoiding unexpected fees upon arrival in a foreign country.

In New Zealand, Carnets can only be obtained from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

Why use a Carnet?

A Carnet saves you money.
It allows the temporary duty-free admission of goods into forgein countries. You do not need to put up security bonds at each Customs point, which avoids the worry of retrieving your funds from a foreign agency when the goods exit.

A Carnet saves you time.
You don't need to prepare importation forms for different countries. Simply present your Carnet with the goods at each Customs point of entry and exit. The same Carnet Can be used for multiple trips.

A Carnet saves you hassle.
You will avoid the possibility of your goods being confiscated by Customs who may require payment for the release of the goods. Carnets will also facilitate the re-entry of your goods into NZ.

What can you carry on a Carnet?

Carnets can be used for commercial samples, professional equipment, or goods for at use trade fairs, shows and exhibitions. Consumable or disposable items, as well as goods shippable for repair and/or processing, are not eligible for the Carnet programme.

A Carnet cannot be used if any goods will be sold overseas.

A Carnet does not supersede statutory export requirements and relations. When required by Customs, the applicant would be obliged to conform to all requirements and regulations.

Please note: any vehicle that will be travelling on a public road in a foreign country cannot be covered by an ATA Carnet. Please contact carnet@aa.co.nz to ask about CPD carnets instead.

Where can you go with a Carnet?

Carnet Map
See a full list of countries that are members of the ATA Carnet agreement
  • Albania (AL)
  • Algeria (DZ)
  • Andorra (AD)
  • Australia (AU)
  • Austria (AT)
  • Belarus (BY)
  • Belgium (BE)
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)
  • Bulgaria (BG)
  • Canada (CA)
  • Chile (CL)
  • China (CN) – including Macau
  • Croatia (HR)
  • Cyprus (CY)
  • Czechia (CZ)
  • Denmark (DK)
  • Estonia (EE)
  • Finland (FI)
  • France (FR) – also includes Corsica, French Guiana, Tahiti, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Miquelon, Monaco, New Caledonia, Reunion Island, St. Barthelemy, the French part of St. Martin, St. Pierre, The Wallis & Futuna Islands
  • Germany (DE) Gibraltar (GI)
  • Greece (GR)– also includes Crete
  • Hong Kong, China (HK)
  • Hungary (HU)
  • Iceland (IS)
  • India (IN)
  • Indonesia (ID)
  • Iran (Islamic Republic of) (IR)
  • Ireland (IE)
  • Israel (IL)
  • Italy (IT)
  • Ivory Coast (CI)
  • Japan (JP)
  • Kazakhstan (KZ)
  • Kingdom of Bahrain (BH)
  • Korea (Republic of) (KR)
  • Latvia (LV)
  • Lebanon (LB)
  • Lichtenstein (CH) – covered by Switzerland under the ATA Carnet Agreement
  • Lithuania (LT)
  • Luxembourg (LU)
  • Macao, China (MO)
  • Madagascar (MG)
  • Malaysia (MY)
  • Malta (MT)
  • Mauritius (MU)
  • Mexico (MX)
  • Moldova (Republic of) (MD)
  • Mongolia (MN)
  • Montenegro (ME)
  • Morocco (MA)
  • Netherlands (NL)
  • New Zealand (NZ)
  • North Macedonia (Rep. of) (MK)
  • Norway (NO)
  • Pakistan (PK)
  • Poland (PL)
  • Portugal (PT)
  • Qatar (QA)
  • Romania (RO)
  • Senegal (SN)
  • Serbia (RS)
  • Singapore (SG)
  • Slovakia (SK)
  • Slovenia (SI)
  • South Africa (ZA)
  • Spain (ES) – also includes Balearic Isles, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla
  • Sri Lanka (LK)
  • Sweden (SE)
  • Switzerland (CH) – also includes Lichtenstein
  • Thailand (TH)
  • Tunisia (TN)
  • Türkiye (TR)
  • Ukraine (UA)
  • United Arab Emirates (AE)
  • United Kingdom (GB) – also includes Bailiwick of Guernsey, The Isle of Mann, Jersey
  • United States of America (US) – also includes Puerto Rico
  • Vietnam (VN)

Some non-member countries may accept Carnets; however, we cannot guarantee that the Carnet will be accepted. If you don’t see a country listed and would like more information, please get in contact our Trade team on 0508 CARNET (0508 227 638), or carnet@wecc.org.nz.

Man on phone

General contact

Phone:
04 473 7224
Email:
info@wecc.org.nz
Postal Address
PO Box 1087
Wellington 6140
Head Office:
 Level 13, NTT Tower, 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011