China increases ATA Carnet acceptance to sporting goods

China has announced it will begin accepting ATA Carnets for the temporary admission of goods for sport purposes as of 1 January 2020. The expansion has been made under national law, according to a notification from the General Administration of Customs of China and the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The ATA Carnet, often referred to as the “Passport for Goods”, is an international customs document that permits the tax- and duty-free temporary export and import of goods for up to one year. The document is currently accepted in 78 Customs territories and is administered by the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) World Chambers Federation.

Commenting on the announcement, ICC’s World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) Chair Ruedi Bolliger said: “We are glad to see China’s expansion of ATA Carnets. This development comes at an opportune time, as they will host the Winter Olympics in 2022. The country’s acceptance of ATA carnets will be much appreciated by athletes and all entities involved in sports business.”

China implemented the ATA Carnet system in 1998, starting with goods for exhibitions and fairs. Previous expansion was in January 2019, allowing for professional equipment and commercial samples to enter Asia’s largest country. In furthering coverage of the international custom documention, small- and medium-sized enterprises can benefit more widely in cross-border trade.

ATA carnets are issued at a national level with Customs’ duties and taxes temporarily exempted guaranteed by a national guaranteeing association (NGA) affiliated to ICC’s global guaranteeing chain. ICC and NGAs act together to balance the needs of the private and public sectors. In an effort to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere, the business institution representing 45 million companies is working to bring ATA Carnets into the digital world.

ICC Global Membership and Services Director Julian Kassum added: “As the international organisation administering the global ATA Carnet Guaranteeing Chain, ICC is proud that ATA Carnets are accepted in more and more markets—and that existing contracting parties are expanding their scopes of application. Together with Customs authorities and our global network, we will continue to promote this great trade facilitation tool around the world.”