Issuance and validation of ATA Carnets - international unified customs document, Memeber Services Directorate

Actualization 19.04.2007

The ATA Carnet is an international unified customs guarantee document for temporary importation, exportation and transit of goods under the International Convention ATA and the Istanbul Convention for temporary import. In compliance with the Bulgarian legislation the regime of its use in the Republic of Bulgaria is regulated by the Rules for the Application of the Law on Customs.

The Republic of Bulgaria joined the Convention ATA in 1964, and its application began in 1967. Ever since, the BCCI has been the issuing and guaranteeing organization of ATA Carnets. The Chamber is a member of the International ATA Guarantee Chain, established with the International Bureau of Chambers of Commerce with the World Federation of Chambers of Commerce.

The ATA Carnet can be issued for all countries that have signed the Convention, the guaranteeing and issuing organization under it being:

List of countries that have signed the Convention

Advantages from the use of ATA Carnets:

Simplification and acceleration of customs procedures, by avoiding payment of customs deposits;
Once issued, the document can be used in an unlimited number of countries, within one year of the day of its issue.
The ATA Carnet is used for exportation, importation and transit of:
- Exhibits for participation in international fairs, exhibitions, presentations and other similar events ;
- Professional materials - musical instruments, computer equipment, office equipment, TV, video and cinema equipment, theater and circus stage-property ;
- Objects of art;
- Sports equipment, etc.
The goods, covered by ATA Carnets can be transported by any means of transport, i.e. by plane, train, car, truck, etc. The only obligatory requirement according to the Convention is the goods to be re-imported in the country in the same state as exported, and, within the Carnet’s validity, which cannot surpass one year as of the day when it was issued.

Procedure for Obtaining an ATA Carnet

In order to obtain an ATA carnet you have to:

Fill in all the required information and describe the goods in the unified forms.
The holder of the carnet has to sign a contract with BCCI for its issuance and guarantee.
Remit a deposit either in cash or by a bank transfer
Pay the cost of the service for the issuance of the carnet.

Carnets are processed and issued by BCCI within one day. After they are used up they have to be returned to BCCI.