From 1 June 2026, the ATA Carnet system begins its digital transition, with eATA Carnets going live for movements involving the United Kingdom, EU, Norway and Switzerland. This is the first step in a phased global rollout that aims to make ATA Carnet procedures fully digital worldwide by 1 January 2028.
For businesses that regularly move professional equipment, exhibition and trade fair goods or commercial samples across borders on a temporary basis, this is a significant change and one that aligns closely with Metro’s broader investment in digital visibility and customs intelligence.
The ATA Carnet and what changes
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows goods to be temporarily exported and imported into over 80 participating countries without paying duties or taxes, on the condition that they are re‑exported within the carnet’s validity period. It consolidates multiple customs declarations into a single document, simplifying border processes for temporary movements such as trade shows, product demos, film and TV shoots, sporting events and business travel with specialist equipment.
Under the new arrangements:
- The process for obtaining a Carnet from issuing chambers remains broadly the same; applications are still submitted online to the relevant chamber.
- Once issued, holders receive digital credentials (such as a PIN and QR code) and can download the Carnet into an official app or desktop interface.
- At customs, the Carnet is presented digitally, typically by showing a QR code for scanning, instead of handing over a paper booklet.
During the transition, some routes will still require paper and others will support digital or both, depending on which countries have activated eATA procedures.
For Metro, this fits naturally alongside CuDoS, the AI‑powered customs operating system that is already helping automate declarations and improve classification accuracy. As Carnets become digital, the underlying data they generate may be linked to shipment tracking, analytics and risk profiling, giving customers a clearer end‑to‑end picture of temporary movements.
Practical steps before 1 June 2026
To prepare for the transition, businesses should:
- Review upcoming movements
Identify any temporary exports on or after 1 June 2026 involving the UK, EU, Norway or Switzerland that may need an ATA Carnet. - Check whether a digital Carnet will be required
For relevant routes, confirm whether customs authorities on each leg are expecting an eATA Carnet, a paper Carnet or both, and plan accordingly. - Ensure staff understand the new process
Anyone preparing, carrying or presenting Carnets – from logistics teams to travelling technicians and sales staff – should be briefed on how the digital process works and what to expect at customs. - Confirm access to the digital tools
Make sure the person travelling with the goods, or the team managing the movement, has access to the required eATA app or desktop application, and knows how to retrieve and present the Carnet at border points. - Allow extra preparation time in early stages
Build in additional time for applications, checks and customs formalities during the initial rollout period, while systems and users bed in. - Speak to your Carnet provider early
Engage with your issuing chamber or customs partner in advance for any movements affected by the change to avoid last‑minute issues.
During the transition, it is strongly recommended that a paper Carnet is carried alongside the digital version whenever the itinerary crosses countries that are at different stages of the rollout. A single “paper‑only” country on the route means the paper Carnet must remain active throughout, even if eATA is available elsewhere.
Where Metro’s customs and tech capability helps
As a long‑standing customs intermediary, Metro already manages complex multi‑country documentation, guarantees and temporary admissions for customers in sectors such as events, engineering, automotive and high‑tech.
As eATA adoption expands, Carnet data may be integrated into wider shipment visibility and analytics for example, flagging expiring Carnets, tracking where goods are in relation to their authorised timelines, and highlighting any anomalies that could affect re‑export or future entries.
If you would like to discuss how the eATA rollout affects your planned events, demos or temporary equipment movements, or how to integrate Carnet processes into your wider customs and visibility strategy please EMAIL Andy Fitchett, Metro’s Head of Customs & Compliance.
