ATA Carnet

What is an ATA Carnet 

An ATA Carnet is an international customs document issued by the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to facilitate the temporary import of goods into various countries without paying taxes or customs duties.

This document is essential for companies that frequently transport goods internationally, as it significantly simplifies customs procedures by avoiding time-consuming and costly formalities in each individual country.

  • An ATA Carnet is an international customs document used for the simplified temporary import of exhibition goods, commercial samples, professional equipment, and other goods specified in international conventions.
  • ATA Carnets can be used by: – exhibition participants for exhibition stands, exhibits, and necessary equipment; – traders for product samples; – symposium participants for documents and equipment; – film crews for equipment and films; – television operators for broadcasting equipment; – actors for costumes; – collectors for paintings; – technicians and doctors for professional tools; – athletes for sports equipment, etc.
  • In all ATA Carnet member countries, ATA Carnets may not be available for every purpose covered under the Istanbul Convention and related agreements, because some countries may not have joined all relevant conventions.

Obtaining an ATA Carnet 

Steps required to obtain an ATA Carnet:

  • Complete the list of temporarily exported goods and the application form, then send them by email to: aigars.kivlins@ltrk.lv; parsla.ukase@ltrk.lv;
  • LCCI forwards the application to AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company”;
  • AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” informs the company regarding ATA Carnet insurance;
  • The company arranges a time to receive the insurance policy from AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” and afterwards collects the ATA Carnet from LCCI;
  • The completed ATA Carnet must be signed in the presence of the responsible LCCI employee.

Documents required for obtaining an ATA Carnet:

  • Application form signed in the presence of an LCCI representative;
  • Power of attorney (required if the employee handling the ATA Carnet process is not an authorized signatory according to company statutes);
  • Copy of passport or ID card (original must be presented);
  • ATA Carnet insurance policy issued by AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company”

The ATA Carnet is issued within 2 full working days after receipt of a correctly completed application.

Sample documents to be submitted: 

Advantages of ATA Carnets

  • Goods can be temporarily imported into foreign countries for up to one year without paying import duties. No financial guarantee needs to be lodged abroad, no foreign-language documents are required, documents are processed free of charge, no customs broker is necessary, and temporarily imported goods may also be sold (with customs involvement).
  • One ATA Carnet can be used for multiple countries: – Latvia for temporary export and re-import; – the destination country for temporary import and closure of temporary import procedures; – transit countries during transportation.

ATA Carnet Insurance 

ATA Carnet insurance policies are issued by AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company”, located at Sporta iela 11, Riga, LV-1013. Phone numbers: 66936162; 66936027.

Documents required for the insurance policy:

  • Application form (signed in the presence of the responsible employees of AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company” or electronically together with the insurance policy);
  • Power of attorney (required if the employee who performs all necessary actions on behalf of the company for obtaining the ATA Carnet and arranging the insurance is not an authorized signatory according to the company’s Articles of Association);
  • Copy of passport or identity card (the original must be presented if the documents are signed in the presence of the responsible employees of AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company”);
  • Balance sheet and profit and loss statement for the last audited year, as well as the current year’s operational data;
  • In certain cases, a certificate from the State Revenue Service (VID) confirming payment of taxes may be requested. 

The insurance policy is prepared within 3 working days and issued after payment.

More information: 

AAS “BTA Baltic Insurance Company”  
Tel. +371 26121212 

ATA Carnet Member Countries 

Albania, Algeria, the United States, Andorra, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Belarus, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, South Africa, South Korea, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iceland, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, China, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Madagascar, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Morocco, Mauritania, Mexico, Montenegro, Moldova, Mongolia, Norway, Pakistan, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Taiwan (CPD Carnet), Ukraine.

European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Croatia, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Spain, Hungary, Germany, Sweden.

CENAS

Goods ValueNon-members, price excluding VATMembers (30% discount), price excluding VAT
Up to EUR 10 000 EUR 360,00EUR 252,00
EUR 10 001 – 25 000EUR 460,00EUR 322,00
EUR 25 001 – 100 000EUR 560,00EUR 392,00
EUR 100 001 – 400 000EUR 660,00EUR 462,00
EUR 400 001 and aboveEUR 760,00EUR 532,00
   
Each additional country or transit countryEUR 50,00EUR 35,00
Form feeEUR 0,50EUR 0,50
Printing feeEUR 0,50EUR 0,50

BTA Insurance Fees:

Goods value (EUR)Insurance premium (% of the annual market value of the goods listed in the ATA Carnet, but not less than EUR 70)
Up to 10 000 EUR3
EUR 10 001 – 25 0002.5
EUR 25 001 – 100 0002
EUR 100 001 – 400 0001.5
EUR 400 001 and above1

Contacts

For ATA Carnet applications:

Aigars Kivliņš : aigars.kivlins@ltrk.lv  or  Pārsla Ukase: parsla.ukase@ltrk.lv 

Regulatory Acts Governing the Application of the ATA Carnet System

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the regulatory acts governing the application of the ATA Carnet system:

Law of 20 May 1999 “On the Istanbul Convention of 26 June 1990 on Temporary Admission” 

2026. gada 1. jūnijā plānota eATA sistēmas ieviešana un pāreja uz ATA karnetes digitalizāciju

Starting from 1 June 2026, European Union member states, including Latvia, together with Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, will begin implementing the eATA Carnet system developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), gradually replacing paper-format ATA Carnets.

Transition Period

A transition period from 1 June 2026 until 31 December 2027 is planned, during which both paper ATA Carnets and eATA Carnets will be used simultaneously.

During the transition period:

  • countries not yet using eATA Carnets will continue paper-based customs formalities;
  • countries using eATA Carnets will process customs procedures electronically using QR codes and ATA Carnet mobile or desktop applications;
  • mixed routes may require both paper and electronic ATA Carnets depending on national requirements.

Please familiarize yourself with the informational material on electronic ATA Carnets:

Training Material for eATA ClientsLejupielādēt

And please watch the attached video materials: