The ICC begins rolling out a fully digital ATA Carnet system across select countries, aiming to streamline customs procedures and enhance security for international trade by 2028.
The International Chamber of Commerce has begun rolling out a digital version of the ATA Carnet, a long-used customs document that allows businesses to move goods temporarily across borders without paying duties or taxes, provided the items are re-exported within the permitted period. The first customs authorities to adopt the system are in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland and the UK, marking a significant shift away from paper processing. According to the ICC, the launch took place on 1 June 2026 and represents the first stage of a wider transition.
The ATA Carnet is widely used for professional equipment, commercial samples and exhibition materials, making it particularly important for companies involved in trade fairs, touring productions and specialist services. Under the new digital model, users can handle carnet declarations electronically throughout the journey, rather than relying on a paper booklet. The ICC says the change should improve traceability, make administration easier for chambers and businesses, and reduce friction at the border.
The World Customs Organization, which has worked with the ICC on the project for years, said the move is designed to strengthen security and speed up customs processing. Ian Saunders, the WCO secretary-general, said: ‘The digital ATA Carnet marks a significant advancement in the modernisation of international Customs and trade procedures. By digitising the Carnet system, we are strengthening global trade through greater security and more efficient processing for both Customs administrations and the business community.’
The shift also gives customs authorities access to pre-arrival notices and transaction histories, which officials say will help them identify risks earlier and manage temporary admissions more efficiently. The ICC says the system was developed through its international ATA Carnet network, including chambers and national guaranteeing associations, while the WCO has provided the forum for governments and customs administrations to align procedures. The longer-term aim is for the ATA Carnet system to become fully digital worldwide by 1 January 2028, with more customs administrations expected to come on board before the end of 2027.
Source Reference Map
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk/news/article/25052/digital-ata-carnet-launches-in-30-countries-including-uk – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/news/digital-ata-carnet-launches-in-30-countries/ – The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has launched the digital ATA Carnet system (eATA) on 1 June 2026, marking the transition from paper-based carnets to a digital platform across 30 countries, including all 27 European Union member states, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This initiative aims to modernise global trade by enhancing efficiency and security. The ICC anticipates that more customs administrations will adopt the system before the end of 2027, with a goal for worldwide digitalisation by 1 January 2028. The eATA system allows users to manage carnet declarations digitally throughout their cross-border journey, improving traceability and operational efficiency for businesses, chambers, and border agencies. The project has been a decade-long collaboration between the ICC and the World Customs Organization (WCO), reflecting a significant advancement in the modernisation of international customs and trade procedures. WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders highlighted the benefits of the digital ATA Carnet in strengthening global trade through greater security and more efficient processing for both customs administrations and the business community.
- https://app.croneri.co.uk/whats-new/digital-ata-carnet-launches-30-countries-including-uk?section=3535&topic=3620 – The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) have launched a digital ATA Carnet to facilitate the temporary admission of goods, with the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK being the first customs administrations to implement the new process. The ATA Carnet is a globally recognised customs document that permits the duty-free and tax-free temporary import and export of goods for up to one year. It allows goods such as professional equipment, commercial samples, and exhibition materials to be temporarily admitted across borders without paying duties and taxes at each border crossing, provided that the goods are re-exported within the required period. The shift to a digital system will benefit businesses, enhance border efficiency, and support the digital transformation of customs operations worldwide. ICC has developed and is rolling out the eATA Carnet platform through the international ATA Carnet network, including chambers and National Guaranteeing Associations. The WCO, through the eATA Working Group, provides the institutional forum for Contracting Parties and Customs administrations to coordinate the transition, align procedures, and support the acceptance and use of digital ATA Carnets at the border. WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, said: “The digital ATA Carnet marks a significant advancement in the modernisation of international Customs and trade procedures. By digitising the Carnet system, we are strengthening global trade through greater security and more efficient processing for both Customs administrations and the business community.” The transition from paper to digital formats will enable Customs administrations to receive the pre-arrival notices and monitor the transaction history through the system, allowing them to detect potential risks and streamline the temporary admission process for more efficient risk management.
- https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/ata-carnet/eata-carnet/ – The eATA Carnet system digitalises the traditional paper ATA Carnets and their lifecycle management process, so that users can initiate and track carnet declarations digitally at each step of their journey across borders. 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. 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. To date, 30 countries 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.
- https://www.customssupport.com/ata-carnet-digital-transition-2026/ – ATA Carnet procedures are expected to be fully digital by 1 January 2028. From 1 June 2026, 30 countries – including all 27 EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom – will begin accepting digital carnets. The first major milestone in the eATA transition is 1 June 2026. On that date, 30 countries and customs territories will begin accepting digital carnets and shift to a digital ATA Carnet procedure – including all 27 EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. For businesses trading across Europe, this makes digital carnets the expected format from that date. Before each departure, holders must check the digital readiness status of every country on their itinerary. A journey that passes through both digital-ready and non-digital countries requires careful preparation – and potentially both formats.
- https://etradeforall.org/news/global-trade-takes-digital-leap-eata-rollout-30-countries – The World Customs Organization (WCO) welcomes the launch of the digital ATA Carnet by the first group of Contracting Parties to the ATA Convention and the Istanbul Convention — the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This important milestone represents a major advancement in the modernization of international Customs and trade procedures. The shift from paper-based Carnets to a digital system will benefit businesses, enhance border efficiency, and support the digital transformation of Customs operations worldwide. This achievement reflects the strong spirit of international cooperation that underpins the ATA Carnet system. Following 10 years of discussions first initiated at the WCO’s ATA/Istanbul Convention Administrative Committee along with a pilot phase, the launch on 1 June 2026 reflects the Customs community’s dedication to modernization and efficiencies to continuously improve and enhance global trade systems. The WCO has closely collaborated with ICC, whose longstanding partnership and commitment have been instrumental in advancing this digital transition at the global level. The successful implementation by this first group of Contracting Parties marks the beginning of a new chapter for the ATA Carnet system. Their efforts provide a practical example of how Customs administrations and business partners can work together to deliver modern, interoperable, and user-focused solutions that respond to the evolving needs of global trade.
- https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/global-trade-takes-a-digital-leap-with-eata-rollout-in-30-countries – On 1 June 2026, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) announced the launch of the digital Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission (ATA) Carnet to facilitate the temporary admission of goods. The European Union (EU), Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK)
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article was published on 11 June 2026, which is 11 days after the digital ATA Carnet launch on 1 June 2026. The launch was widely reported around that date, with sources such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) announcing the rollout on 1 June 2026. (iccwbo.org) The Dundee and Angus Chamber’s article provides additional details and context, indicating it is a fresh and original piece.
Quotes check
Score: 9
Notes: The article includes a direct quote from Ian Saunders, WCO Secretary General, stating: ‘The digital ATA Carnet marks a significant advancement in the modernisation of international Customs and trade procedures.’ This quote is consistent with statements made by Saunders in other sources, such as the WCO’s official announcement. (wcoomd.org) The consistency across sources suggests the quote is accurately attributed.
Source reliability
Score: 7
Notes: The Dundee and Angus Chamber is a reputable local business organisation. While it is not a major international news outlet, it provides valuable insights into regional implications of the digital ATA Carnet launch. The article references official sources like the ICC and WCO, enhancing its credibility. However, the Chamber’s primary focus is on local business interests, which may influence the perspective presented.
Plausibility check
Score: 9
Notes: The article’s claims align with the broader context of the digital ATA Carnet rollout. The transition from paper-based to digital ATA Carnets has been a topic of discussion for several years, with the ICC and WCO announcing the initiative in 2026. (iccwbo.org) The article’s details about the launch date and participating countries are consistent with these announcements.