April 26, 2024

Saudi Arabia and the Philippines will soon be accepting ATA Carnets

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) announced that Saudi Arabia and the Philippines are joining the ATA Carnet International Guaranteeing Chain.

The implementation of ATA Carnets will be effective on June 1, 2024 for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and on July 15, 2024 for the Republic of the Philippines, making the ATA Carnet procedure operational in 81 countries/customs territories.

The Federation of Saudi Chambers and the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as national guaranteeing and issuing associations were approved during a meeting of the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) General Council on November 21, 2023.

As of 1 June 2024, Saudi Customs will start accepting ATA Carnets for goods for display or use at exhibitions, fairs, meetings or similar events.

The scope of application of the ATA Carnet procedure in the Philippines starting July 15, 2024 will cover exhibitions, professional equipment, commercial samples, goods in connection with a manufacturing operation, goods for educational, scientific or cultural purposes, travellers' personal effects and goods for sports purpose, goods for humanitarian purposes, and even animals.

The Carnet is a customs document secured in the seller's country, which guarantees the importing country that it will be compensated for the duties and taxes applicable if the goods it covers are not re-exported. It is valid for a maximum of one year. ATA is a French and English acronym of "Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission." Carnets are commonly used by sales people and manufacturers to bring their wares into foreign countries to show as commercial samples to potential customers or to display at trade fairs and exhibitions.