The ATA Carnet is primarily used for the temporary, duty-free import of consumer goods in international trade.
The ATA Carnet is mainly used at trade fairs with international participation. As a general rule, temporary, duty-free import into the country in which an exhibition is being held is only possible if the full amount of the import duties is deposited in cash. This cannot be done on an informal basis and the legal provisions of the individual states must be complied with.
The ATA Carnet greatly simplifies and standardises this process. Complicated processing steps such as the calculation of any import duties and security deposits in the national currency are avoided.