eATA Carnet

Cross border transactions are going paperless

In 2016, ICC’s eATA concept was endorsed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) ATA/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee. The eATA Carnet System modernises the ATA Carnet procedure by allowing real-time management of carnets – from issuance and declarations to transactions and claims – boosting traceability and improving efficiency for all stakeholders.

ATA Carnet procedures are expected to be fully digital worldwide by 1 January 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 deployed by ICC to digitise the paper-based ATA Carnet procedure. Designed with Customs officers and everyday users in mind, the digital ATA Carnet System consists of:

• ATA Carnet Core: The central engine and database that all digital components and ensures secure data exchange.
• ATA Carnet Customs: A turnkey web portal enabling Customs officers to verify Carnets and approve digitally declared transactions.
• ATA Carnet App: A secure mobile digital wallet for holders and representatives to carry carnets and prepare declarations. A desktop version is also available to optimise managing multiple carnets.

After a successful pilot phase, ICC was tasked by the World Customs Organization (WCO) ATA/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee to develop an eATA Global Transition Plan (GTP). Customs administrations ready to use the system may shift to a digital ATA Carnet procedure by following the Customs Preparation Guide and readiness checklist.

To date, 30 countries (full list below) have communicated their readiness to accept digital carnets and shift to a digital ATA Carnet procedure as of 1 June 2026. More Customs administrations are expected to be ready for eATA by the end of 2027 at the latest.

How does eATA work?

Holders’ perspective

Customs’ perspective

What happens during the digital transition phase (2026–2027)?

Customs administrations around the world will not shift to a digital procedure on the same day. That’s why the eATA Global Transition Plan (GTP), created by ICC, was adopted by WCO ATA/Istanbul Convention administrative committee to support customs while transitioning to eATA.

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

At Customs check points, holders and/or their representatives will be required to present their paper carnets in countries where Customs accept paper carnets only (paper countries), and present digital carnets in countries where Customs have already activated the use of digital carnets (digital countries). Should there be any paper countries involved in the itinerary, paper carnets will always need to be validated therefore some transaction types will be done in both formats in mixed itinerary.

Please be sure to check the readiness of each country/territory (see list in section below) on your itinerary before your departure.

The transition plan explained six use cases to demonstrate which format to use as per customs’ digital readiness status and transaction type.

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

Digitalisation roadmap and activation dates

Countries/Customs territories are joining the digital environment according to their confirmed readiness.

Digital Country/Customs Territory*	Activation Date
European Union (27 Member States): Austria, Italy, Belgium, Latvia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Croatia, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Malta, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Estonia, Portugal, Finland, Romania, France, Slovakia, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Sweden, Ireland	1 June 2026
Norway	1 June 2026
Switzerland	1 June 2026
United Kingdom	1 June 2026

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

More countries and customs territories will join as they confirm readiness. ATA Carnet procedures are expected to be fully digital worldwide by 1 January 2028.