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Digital ATA Carnet UK 2026: what exporters need to know
The ATA Carnet — the international “passport for goods” that allows businesses to move goods temporarily across borders without paying duties or taxes — is
11 May 2026
The ATA Carnet — the international “passport for goods” that allows businesses to move goods temporarily across borders without paying duties or taxes — is going digital. From 1 June 2026, the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland will launch the eATA system, marking the most significant change to the carnet process in its history.
If your business uses carnets to transport commercial samples, attend international trade fairs, or move professional equipment abroad, here is a clear-eyed guide to what is changing and what you need to do before the deadline.
An ATA Carnet is a customs document that allows goods to be temporarily imported or exported across borders without the payment of import duties or taxes, for a period of up to 12 months. Widely used by exhibitors, salespeople, broadcasters, engineers and event professionals, it simplifies customs procedures by replacing individual country declarations with a single document, valid across more than 80 countries worldwide.
1 June is described by issuing chambers as a “soft launch.” From that date, digital presentation becomes the standard process for temporary exports to EU member states, Norway and Switzerland. However, chambers will issue both a digital and a paper carnet for each application during the transition period, with the paper carnet serving as a backup in case the digital cannot be processed at customs.
Under eATA, the digital carnet is stored and accessed via the ATA Carnet app on your smartphone. A desktop management facility will also be available for freight forwarders and high-volume users. At customs, officers validate the carnet using QR codes and real-time digital checks rather than stamping a paper voucher. Border Force are expected to have scanners in place at UK borders from August 2026.
The date at which digital countries will stop accepting paper carnets entirely has not yet been confirmed. What is clear is that digital is the direction of travel, and businesses should be preparing now rather than waiting for a hard deadline.
Not every country is going digital at once. Countries outside the initial group — including the US, which is expected to join in the second half of 2026 — will still require paper carnets. If your journey includes both digital and non-digital territories, your issuing chamber will advise on which format to use for each leg.
The application process itself remains largely unchanged. You still apply through your issuing chamber of commerce, declare the same goods information, and arrange the same financial security. What changes is how the carnet is delivered and used.
Download the ATA Carnet app. It is available on iOS and Android — search for “ATA Carnet App” in your app store. If you are a freight forwarder or manage high volumes of carnets, speak to your issuing chamber about access to the desktop facility.
Review your upcoming movements. Any temporary exports planned for June onwards that involve EU, Norwegian or Swiss destinations will be affected from day one.
Plan mixed itineraries carefully. If any of your journeys cross both digital-ready and non-digital countries, speak to your customs advisor about how to handle documentation for each leg.
The shift to digital carnets is part of a broader global push to modernise customs processes. Fewer paper documents means less risk of loss or damage, faster border processing and clearer visibility of where goods are at any point in their journey. Full global adoption is targeted by 1 January 2028. For businesses that rely on speed and certainty at the border, the digital carnet is a welcome development — even if the transition requires careful preparation.
If you have questions about how these changes affect your operations, our team is on hand to help.
Digital ATA Carnets launch on 1 June 2026 for the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland, though 1 June is a soft launch. Both digital and paper carnets will be issued during the transition period.
From 1 June, digital presentation becomes the standard for EU, Norway and Switzerland destinations. Your issuing chamber will issue both formats during the transition period, with paper acting as a backup. The date at which paper stops being accepted entirely has not yet been confirmed.
Search for “ATA Carnet App” on Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iPhone) to download it.
No. You still apply through your issuing chamber of commerce, declare the same goods information, and arrange the same financial security. What changes is how the carnet is issued and presented at customs.
The ATA Carnet — the international “passport for goods” that allows businesses to move goods temporarily across borders without paying duties or taxes — is
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