Dubai Chambers issued ATA Carnets for $1.2bn of goods last year – what is the ‘passport for goods'?
Dubai Chamber of Commerce has announced that a total of 5,357 ATA Carnets were issued and received during 2024 for goods and commodities valued at AED4.3bn ($1.2bn).
These figures reflect the steady momentum behind Dubai's exhibitions, conferences, and events sector, to which ATA Carnets are closely linked.
ATA Carnets are sometimes labelled a 'passport for goods' and are an international customs document that play a vital and highly effective role in attracting and organising global events.
ATA Carnets in Dubai
They enable the duty-free and tax-free temporary import of goods for up to one year.
This significantly enhances the ease of participation for exhibitors and contributes to the smooth operation of international exhibitions and conferences.
Khalid AlJarwan, Vice President of Commercial and Corporate Services at Dubai Chambers, said: 'The ATA Carnet system is designed to simplify customs procedures related to the movement of goods for exhibitions. This creates numerous benefits for the exhibitions and conferences sector, reinforcing Dubai's growing reputation as a destination for global events.'
The ATA Carnet system is the result of impactful collaboration between Dubai Chamber of Commerce and its partners in Dubai Customs, the Federal Customs Authority, and chambers of commerce across the UAE.
An ATA Carnet can be described as a 'merchandise passport' that allows goods to temporarily cross international borders for up to one year without being subject to customs duties.
Eligible items include goods for use at trade fairs such as:
Commercial samples
Professional equipment
Audiovisual equipment
Computers
Repair tools
Photographic and film equipment
Musical instruments
Industrial machinery
Vehicles
Jewellery
Clothing
Medical appliances
Aircraft
Racehorses
Artwork
Prehistoric relics
Items that are not covered by the documents include perishable or consumable items and goods for processing or repair.
The ATA Carnet system forms part of a standardised international mechanism created by the Istanbul Convention in 1990 under the guidance of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for the temporary importation of goods.
The system allows marketing representatives, exhibition participants, and business travellers to complete customs procedures in advance at a fixed cost and offers the flexibility to visit multiple countries using a single carnet.
This ensures seamless customs clearance while allowing goods to be re-exported without delays or unexpected costs.
ATA Carnets offer significant cost savings by exempting exporters from VAT and customs duties.
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