The words “customs” and “revolution” aren’t often used together. Yet that’s exactly the right term to describe the new version of the ATA Carnet, whose digital transition will begin on June 1, 2026.
And yet, this news went relatively unnoticed.
Before discussing its digital version, let’s briefly review what the ATA Carnet is used for. Often described as THE simplification of temporary import procedures, it allows for the temporary admission of goods into countries that have ratified the ATA Convention. It is therefore a particularly practical solution for temporarily moving goods—for example, for a trade show, exhibition, or demonstration—without paying duties and taxes, provided, of course, that these goods are re-exported within the specified time limits and under the stipulated conditions.
And so, after more than 60 years of loyal service—the ATA Convention having entered into force in 1963—the ATA Carnet is embarking on a digital journey with the arrival of the eATA. And it is indeed that single letter that changes everything.
Please note, however, that the ATA Carnet is not being phased out as a customs tool. Its function remains the same. What is changing is its format, the way it is presented to customs authorities, and how it is circulated among the various parties involved.
Today, the ATA Carnet is:
· Requesting the carnet data online;
· Obtaining a physical carnet, complete with the necessary pages for each customs clearance;
· Having the carnet stamped upon entry and exit by the relevant customs authorities;
· And everything that this entails in terms of the risk of loss, stamping delays, document delivery, and administrative processing.
Starting tomorrow, with the eATA, it will be:
- Creating and obtaining the logbook online
- And… that's it
You will, of course, have noticed that this is an exaggeration: obviously, the goal is not to eliminate all customs formalities. The ATA Carnet will remain a customs document covering temporary admission, temporary export, reimportation, re-export, or transit operations. However, many of the constraints associated with its use will disappear. The ATA Carnet is already a simplification of a customs procedure; if we simplify this simplification, how can we not approve of it?
Digitization has become virtually standard practice when it comes to customs procedures or administrative processes more broadly. The only problem is that, sometimes, instead of simplifying the steps and thus streamlining management, operators find themselves caught in a maze of IT processes where, previously, they were caught in a maze of paper documents. Ultimately, the expected simplification does not always materialize.
In this case, that does not appear to be the case. Indeed, the ATA Carnet is, by its very nature, a document subject to numerous requirements: it must be presented to customs authorities at every border crossing and is intended to accompany the goods throughout their journey.
In this new version, the transition to digital is complete, as it involves a mobile app, a web interface, and a QR code. In practical terms, once the logbook is created, we continue to refer to it as a logbook by convention, but it is actually a digital dataset. This dataset can be transmitted and shared with the usual stakeholders, including brokers, carriers, and customs authorities. Operations will then be managed and updated via digital processes.
First advantage: the risk of losing or damaging the paper document is eliminated, since the notebook is no longer a stack of pages but a digital message.
Second advantage: data transfers should be simpler, faster, more secure, and—notably—free of charge.
This change will take effect on June 1, 2026. On that date, the eATA will be launched for an initial group of countries comprising the 27 Member States of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Transactions involving certain French overseas departments and territories (DROM-COM) will also require special attention, in accordance with the applicable procedures.
A transition period is in place through the end of 2027 for other countries that have acceded to the ATA Convention. During this period, both systems—the paper ATA and the eATA—may coexist, depending on the destination countries and the routes involved.
If you found this article interesting, feel free to check out our other blog posts, as well as our podcasts and webinars, which are published regularly to provide insights into the latest customs and regulatory developments.
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