eATA Carnet

The eATA Carnet system digitalizes traditional paper ATA Carnets and their lifecycle management process, allowing users to initiate and track carnet declarations digitally at every stage of the goods’ cross-border movement.

Cross-border Operations Transition to a Paperless Format

In 2016, the eATA concept, developed by the ICC, was endorsed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) ATA/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee. The eATA Carnet system modernizes the ATA Carnet procedure, enabling real-time management of carnets—from issuance and declaration to operations and claims—enhancing traceability and efficiency for all participants.

ATA Carnet procedures are expected to become fully digital worldwide by January 1, 2028.

What is the eATA Carnet System?

The digital ATA Carnet system, also known as the eATA Carnet system, is a suite of digital tools implemented by the ICC to digitalize the paper-based ATA Carnet procedure. Developed to meet the needs of both customs officers and regular users, the digital ATA Carnet system consists of:

• ATA Carnet Core: The central engine and database that connects all digital components and ensures secure data exchange.

• ATA Carnet Customs: A ready-to-use web portal that allows customs officers to verify carnets and approve transactions declared in a digital format.

• ATA Carnet App: A secure mobile digital wallet for holders and representatives, designed for storing carnets and preparing declarations. A desktop version is also available to optimize the management of multiple carnets.

Following a successful pilot phase, the WCO ATA/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee tasked the ICC with developing the Global Transition Plan (GTP) for eATA. Customs administrations ready to use the system can transition to the digital ATA Carnet procedure by following the Customs Preparation Guide and Readiness Checklist.

As of today, 30 countries (full list below) have announced their readiness to accept digital carnets and transition to the digital ATA Carnet procedure starting June 1, 2026. More customs administrations are expected to be ready for eATA by the end of 2027 at the latest.

How Does eATA Work?

• From the perspective of holders:

  

• From the perspective of customs:

  

What Happens During the Digital Transition Phase (2026–2027)?

Customs administrations around the world will not transition to the digital procedure simultaneously. That is why the Global Transition Plan (GTP) for eATA, created by the ICC, was adopted by the WCO ATA/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee to support customs during the eATA transition.

During the digital transition at the issuance stage, issuing chambers of commerce will issue ATA Carnets either in paper format (paper carnet), digital format (digital carnet), or both formats—depending on the requirements and digital readiness status of the countries/customs territories involved in the route.

At customs checkpoints, holders and/or their representatives are required to present paper carnets in countries where customs accept only paper carnets (“paper” countries), and present digital carnets in countries where customs have already activated the use of digital carnets (digital countries). If any “paper” countries are involved in the route, paper carnets must always be validated, so certain types of operations in a mixed route will be performed in both formats.

Be sure to check the readiness of each country/territory (see the list below) on your route before departure.

The transition plan outlines six use cases demonstrating which format to apply depending on the digital readiness status of customs and the type of operation.

For comprehensive information on these scenarios, please refer to the Global Transition Plan (GTP) for eATA.

Digitalization Roadmap and Activation Dates

Countries/customs territories join the digital environment in accordance with confirmed readiness.

*Contact your issuing association to confirm coverage in the extended or overseas territories of these countries.

More countries and customs territories will join as their readiness is confirmed. ATA Carnet procedures are expected to become fully digital worldwide by January 1, 2028.

Original: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/ata-carnet/eata-carnet/