ATA Carnet allows seamless trade, duty-free entry of products

Exporters can now temporarily send goods and creative products to over 80 countries without hassle and paying duties and taxes through an international customs document allowing the free movement of goods across frontiers.

Ferdinand Ferrer, executive vice president for Industry and Director for Innovation, Science and Technology Committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), said businesses can apply for ATA Carnet accreditation through the PCCI. It just takes less than a week to process their application, he said.

Ferrer said ATA Carnet, the passport and visa for goods, is a powerful marketing tool as exporters can bring samples of their products to participating countries of the ATA International Guarantee Chain seamlessly, bringing in cost savings.

Cost savings

“It is also cost savings because it removes all the hassles of going through the challenges in customs and then on the receiving country, their customs. So it removes all the hassle and (facilitates a) seamless transit of our goods,” said Ferrer who is also vice president and trustee of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) for the electronics sector, said during the recent General Membership Meeting of PHILEXPORT.

He said 81 countries, including the United States, China, Canada, India and Japan which accept ATA Carnet, are within the Philippine targeted export countries.

“All countries that we want to export (to) are part of the ATA Carnet,” he added. “The validity of the ATA Carnet is one year. You can use that in fact with multiple countries. Now, every company has different uses for ATA Carnet.”

Ferrer said ATA Carnet covers goods, including commercial samples; items for display or use at international exhibitions, trade shows or similar events; and professional equipment.

“Similar to our passports and visas, we have to return our goods back to the Philippines… If you are gonna bring five samples for exhibitions, you need to bring back exactly that same five (samples) to the Philippines to eliminate any duties or tariff levies on our products,” he said.

Goods not covered by ATA Carnet

Ferrer said goods not covered under ATA Carnet are consumable/perishable/disposable items; items intended to be given away; alcoholic beverages, tobacco and fuels; items intended for processing or repair; items already sold or offered for sale; and unmounted gems or gemstones.

“Similarly, when we try to attract foreign companies to invest here or foreign companies to participate in any of our exhibitions, they can also use the ATA Carnet route and bring their products into the country,” he added.

Ferrer said beneficiaries of ATA Carnet are fair exhibitors, traveling business/sales executives, technicians, and professional individuals and teams.