E-ATA Carnet: What Changes for Your Temporary Exports from 1 June 2026

The ATA Carnet is a well-established tool for companies temporarily exporting equipment abroad for trade shows, commercial demonstrations, exhibitions, and other international events. Since 1 June 2026, this historic customs document has undergone its most significant transformation since its creation: it is now officially digital.

At WES, we have completed our first shipment using an e-ATA Carnet, and we would like to share what this change means in practice.

What Is an ATA Carnet?

The ATA Carnet (Admission Temporaire / Temporary Admission) is an international customs document that allows goods to be temporarily exported without paying customs duties or import taxes. It is commonly used for:

• Participation in international trade fairs and exhibitions
• Professional equipment demonstrations
• Transporting equipment for film productions, exhibitions, or sporting events
• Commercial samples

In France, ATA Carnets are issued by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI), which act as guarantors of ATA operations before customs authorities.

What Changes with the E-ATA Carnet?

Until now, the ATA Carnet existed only in paper format: a physical booklet containing vouchers that had to be stamped by customs authorities at every border crossing. While effective, the system involved several constraints, including document management, multiple signatures and stamps, and the risk of loss or administrative errors.

Since 1 June 2026, every ATA Carnet issued in France must be managed digitally.

In practical terms, this means:

• A carnet accessible through a mobile application and web platform, allowing users to consult and prepare their carnet before each journey.
• QR codes replacing paper vouchers, with each customs operation (exportation or re-importation) generating a unique code that is scanned directly by customs authorities.
• Real-time tracking of customs clearances, with a digital history automatically recorded and stored.
• Improved traceability, reducing the risk of document loss and compliance issues.

The legal framework and guarantees provided by the ATA Carnet remain exactly the same; only the format has changed.

Which Countries Are Concerned?

The rollout is being implemented progressively.

From 1 June 2026, the system applies to the 27 European Union member states, as well as Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Norway, and overseas territories, which account for a significant share of ATA Carnet activity originating from France.

The remaining ATA member countries will transition to the digital system in stages every six months, with the objective of covering all 81 ATA member countries by 2028.

A transitional period is in place, meaning that paper carnets may still be used for destinations that have not yet adopted the digital system.

Why Is This Good News for Businesses?

The digitalisation of the ATA Carnet addresses several practical challenges faced by companies operating internationally:

• Less paperwork and fewer associated risks, such as lost, forgotten, damaged, or illegible documents.
• Faster customs clearance through direct QR code scanning.
• Better visibility over the status of customs operations, accessible at any time through the application.
• Enhanced security through a centralised record of all customs activities.

WES Supports You Through This Transition

We have successfully completed our first shipment using an e-ATA Carnet and are fully operational with this new digital format.

Whether you are already familiar with the traditional paper ATA Carnet or are discovering the system for the first time, our team is available to assist you with every aspect of your temporary export operations, from carnet preparation and shipment monitoring to answering any questions related to this digital transition.

Planning a temporary international export?

Contact our team to discuss your requirements.