ATA Carnets - The Frequently Asked Questions Answered

National Carnet Unit (NCU)

National Carnet Unit is a branch of the HMRC that deals exclusively with ATA Carnets. You should contact NCU for the following scenarios only:

1. Your goods have returned from abroad, but the Carnet has not been endorsed on re-importation (request Certificate of Location)

2. You have a Substitute or Replacement Carnet that needs to be validated (before being sent abroad to be married up with the goods)

3. You are a NON-UK Carnet Holder and your Carnet is about to expire (contact NCU to request permission to extend your stay in the UK)

4. Your goods have been imported into the UK on a NON-UK Carnet and you wish to divert them to home use (import them into UK permanently)

email: atacarnetunit@hmrc.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 322 7064

Carnets for Ukraine, Russia, Belarus

We are currently unable to issue Carnets for Belarus, Russia and Ukraine

Any UK Carnet Holders whose goods are currently in any of the above countries (and who are unable to repatriate their goods before the existing Carnet expires) must obtain a Replacement Carnet to extend the period of temporary admission (see section 4.6 below for further information)

Carnets for hand carried music instruments

EU and Switzerland have waived the requirement for security or Customs documentation* for musicians hand-carrying their own instruments for the purposes of performing at an event or concert. This dispensation only applies to hand-carried instruments (i.e. piano would still require a Carnet).

GVMS for Roro ports

GMR is required for all UK Customs offices for vehicles using FREIGHT ROUTE at roro ports and VEHICLES TRANSPORTING GOODS UNDER TRANSPORT CONTRACT from 01 January 2022 (refer to ferry company for further info). GMR is required in both directions i.e. exiting UK and returning to UK. PRIVATE CARS AND VANS driven by the owner / company employee only need a GMR when returning via Calais Euroshuttle / Eurotunnel port as Carnets are processed at the Freight Terminal when exiting France (GMR is essential to get access to freight terminal).

Carnets are going Digital

London Heathrow Airport is now processing digital Carnets as part of the international digital Carnet trial. The purpose of the pilot is to demonstrate that all aspects of the ATA Carnet lifecycle management can be carried out electronically in order to facilitate transition from a paper-based document to a digital one. The pilot will involve presenting both the paper and digital Carnet, in tandem, to the UK and participating foreign Customs. UK trial will initially involve London Heathrow Airport and will then gradually expand to other airports and roro ports around the country.

UK Ports - Carnet Processing

Dover and Eurotunnel:

1. Holders driving to EU in a personal vehicle or a van - must get their Carnet processed at Sevington both outbound and on return (other inland border facilities can process personal vehicles, but these sites are primarily geared towards freight traffic). Vehicles returning to the UK via Eurotunnel (Shuttle) will need a GMR as Carnets are processed at the Calais Eurotunnel freight terminal.

2. Hauliers / freight forwarders must use pre-notification facility: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attending-an-inland-border-facility/attending-an-inland-border-facility Hauliers will need a GMR when leaving the UK and also returning.

Note that IBFs can only process Carnets for Dover, Euroshuttle and Holyhead - for other ports, go to the port directly and use facilities there

Eurostar (St Pancras) - Carnet Holders leaving UK by Eurostar should notify Border Force in advance by calling 0207 841 6410

Eurostar

There are no Customs officers available for the 6am departure. Passengers with Carnets are advised to get their Carnet stamped the day before - contact Border Force by calling 0207 841 6410 (this facility has been approved by HMRC and BF Policy Teams)

Holyhead - if travelling from Holyhead to Dublin by ferry it is best to pre-notify UK (bfholyhead@homeoffice.gov.uk) and Irish Customs (nchfrontdesk@revenue.ie) at least 24 hr in advance of travelling (state your vehicle registration no, Carnet no and date and time of departure)

1. Leaving UK via Holyhead - go to Roadking Truckstop, Parc Cybi, Kingsland, Holyhead, LL65 2YQ to get your Carnet stamped (you can also use inland sites at Birmingham or Warrington)

2. Entering Ireland (Dublin Port) go to goods to declare area

3. Leaving Ireland (Dublin Port) - cars and vans go to T7 section after the tunnel or New Custom House, Promenade Road (beside the Circle K roundabout). Opening hours 8 a.m. – 22.00 p.m. phone 353-1-8776208. Freight goes to Terminal 11, Bond Drive Extension - Customs can be found in a portacabin. Opening hours 24/7

4. Returning to UK go to the Border Force freight shed (best to ask for directions at the port)

PBN is manfatory for ROI - Carnet Holders driving a company vehicle must obtain a pre-boarding notification number PBN inbound and outbound by emailing CustomsPBN@revenue.ie with the following details: scan of the Carnet Front Cover and General list and details of sailing (date, time, ferry, port of exit and entry). You will get the PBN no by email. Hauliers will need to apply for PBN online

Northern Ireland - Ports:

1. DAERA facility- Duncrue Street, Belfast, BT3 9BJ is manned 24/7 by BF staff and accommodates Carnets

2. Shed 66 at Larne Port is also manned 24/7 and is used for both inbound and outbound movements

3. Warrenpoint is the 3rd site processing Carnets

The above ports can be contacted by the following email bfportteam@homeoffice.gov.uk (pre-notification is not required)

Northern Ireland -Airports:

1. Belfast City operating hours are 4am - 10pm (Closed on Christmas day). Carnets + goods can be taken to Belfast Docks due to the proximity (or pre-notify BFPortteam@homeoffice.gov.uk to confirm if officers will/can be on site)

2. Belfast International is 24/7, but only has BF at the international arrivals hall. There is no presence at domestic arrivals, so advance notice to BFDutyOfficer@homeoffice.gov.uk is required (upon arrival, ask the information desk (located at domestic arrivals) to notify Border Force)

Goods owned by a NI company / individual and located in NI do not need a Carnet for EU.

NI residents or companies that require a Carnet for travelling to non-EU destinations must apply for a Carnet with the NI Chamber

All Other UK Ports

Note - prenotification is not required for airport passengers; use the VAT reclaim desk before checking in and red channel on arrival

Carnets and the EU

Hand Carried goods / goods in baggage (or goods driven in private vehicle):

There are differences in the interpretation of the rules by Customs in each Member State visited, therefore, we recommend one of the three following options when visiting EU with hand carried goods for a commercial activity*:

1. Contact the receiving Customs in advance and query if the Carnet will be required for the goods you are carrying in your baggage*

2. Get a Carnet for your 1st visit, use the red channel at the destination and ask the receiving Customs if Carnet will be required for future visits

3. Obtain a Carnet for the goods for each visit – this would provide certainty each time

Currently French Customs are requesting ATA Carnets for any goods used in a professional or commercial capacity (whether hand carried or not), hence, we would recommend getting a Carnet for EU for anyone passing through France or visiting France in a commercial capacity

Hand Carried Musical Instruments - EU and Switzerland have waived the requirement for security or Customs documentation* for musicians hand-carrying their own instruments for the purposes of performing at an event or concert. We cannot guarantee that these rules will be applied uniformly across different Customs offices and cannot accept responsibility should Customs request security or documentation. Musicians should refer to the above links containing relevant legislation in case of encountering problems at the border. Being able to prove the ownership of the instrument may be required at some Customs offices.

*if your instrument contains materials from endangered species, you may require a CITES Certificate. Some countries may also require working visas for performing artists - you should speak to music associations as they may be able to provide further advice on different countries (i.e. FAC, ISM, MU etc)

Music instruments shipped by a freight forwarder / haulier will require customs declarations, therefore, use of ATA Carnet is recommended.

If you are a member of FAC, ISM or MU, then you should speak to them first if you are planning to apply for a Carnet.

Note - Any musicians that may also be performing in non-EU destinations will most likely need a Carnet for those destinations (in which case it is also worth including EU into the Carnet itinerary)

Carnet Holders driving to EU (via Kent) in a personal vehicle or van must get their Carnet processed at Sevington both outbound and on return (other inland border facilities can process personal vehicles, but these sites are primarily geared towards freight traffic). Vehicles returning to the UK via Eurotunnel (Shuttle) will need a GMR as Carnets are processed at the Calais Eurotunnel freight terminal.

Eurostar (St Pancras) - Carnet Holders leaving UK by Eurostar should notify Border Force in advance by calling 0207 841 6410.

Goods shipped against transport contract (i.e. by haulier) or in a company vehicle:

We would recommend getting a Carnet for any goods that are being moved against a transport contract or tools of trade transported in a company vehicle.

The driver will either have to be listed in the Box B of the Carnet or carry a Letter of Authorisation signed by the director of the company stated in Box A of the Carnet (field showing the name of the authorised representative can be left blank for the Haulier to complete once they have allocated the driver). Carnet Holders using the Haulier must complete Exportation and Importation Voucher (section F) before the goods are collected from their premises and leave signature to the driver. Before heading back to the UK, Re-exportation and Re-Importation Vouchers should be completed with the signature left to the driver.

Driver must sign the Section F of the relevant Voucher before handing the Carnet over to the Customs

Hauliers must get a GVM where applicable (see the last section of these FAQs)

Hauliers must use the pre-notification facility: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attending-an-inland-border-facility/attending-an-inland-border-facility (note that IBFs can only process Carnets for Dover, Euroshuttle and Holyhead - for other ports, go to the port directly and use facilities there)

Dover and Eurotunnel: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/moving-goods-through-the-port-of-dover-and-eurotunnel-with-an-ata-carnet (anyone driving in a personal vehicle or van must go to STOP 24 both outbound and inbound to get their Carnet processed). Vehicles returning to the UK via Eurotunnel (Shuttle) will need a GMR as Carnets are processed at the Calais Eurotunnel freight terminal.

Moving goods between GB and NI

Hand carried goods or goods driven in a personal vehicle:

These goods can be declared to temporary admission using a form C108 (with exception of horses intended for racing or commercial activities. Horses can go on an ATA Carnet) or Duplicate List (prepare 2 copies of the Goods List - including full description of items, quantities and serial numbers + a completed form C&E1246)

Goods moved by freight forwarders or FPOs:

These goods can either be declared via Customs Declarations or use an ATA Carnet.

GVM is required for any vehicles over 7.5t (empty or loaded).

Goods moving to Republic of Ireland (via Northern Ireland):

We would recommend using ATA Carnets for temporary admission to ROI.

Any Carnets passing through NI en-route to ROI must be endorsed in NI (this will include Validation, Exportation and Importation). There are no Inland Customs Facilities on the ROI side after crossing from NI so it is important to get everything endorsed in NI.

NI Ports endorsing Carnets: