1. Brief Introduction

The ATA Carnet system is a certified documentary system that aims to facilitate customs clearance. Specific goods, such as commercial samples, professional equipment, and exhibits, may be granted express clearance and then re-exported (re-imported) on a duty-free basis between countries, within the one year validation (in most cases) of the paper. Under general customs procedures, the applicant must comply with country's provisions, fill out various documents, and pay the duty or submit a guarantee deposit before goods are released; however, one can substitute all the aforesaid complicated clearance procedures with a paper certified under the ATA Carnet system.

The Customs Co-operation Council, now known as the World Customs Organization (WCO), collaborated with International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to adopt the "Customs Convention on the ATA Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods" (ATA Carnet Convention). This multilateral convention was signed and adopted by the WCO members, however since the ROC is not a WCO member, and, as the use of system serves to benefit trade promotion and enhance international economic cooperation, the ROC government actively seeks partner countries with which to sign bilateral ATA Carnet Agreements.

2. List of ROC ATA Carnet Agreements

The ROC has signed ATA Carnet Agreements with major trade partner countries since 1983. To promote customs administration globalization, boost international trade, and expand external relationships, the government continues to sign ATA Carnet Agreements with other friendly countries.

The ATA Carnet Agreements/Protocols with the ROC are currently applicable in 44 countries: Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, EU (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Poland, Malta, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia）, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United States, Norway, Japan, the Philippines, El Salvador, Israel, Malaysia, Vietnam and India.

The use of the ATA Carnet system has been officially launched with 41 countries, except for the Philippines, Vietnam, and El Salvador.

3. If you have any question about applying for an ATA Carnet, please refer to Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance (clearance practice), the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (issuing/guaranteeing association).

Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance: https://etaipei.customs.gov.tw/singlehtml/1343

Taiwan External Trade Development Council: https://www.taitra.org.tw/en/