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Traffic Manual

I.4.2.3.2. Description of the regime

For the purposes of the ATA Carnet, the Union is considered to form a single territory.

At the customs office of departure

The customs office of departure or the customs office of entry into the Union must:

  • separate transit sheet no. 1,
  • complete box "H" (points A to D),
  • Indicate in box "H" (point E) (where possible, by means of a stamp) the name and full address of the customs office to which sheet no. 2 is to be returned.

The aforementioned customs office must also complete and certify the transit clearance (points 1 to 7) in the corresponding transit matrix before returning the carnet to its holder.

At the destination customs office

The customs office of destination or exit from the Union, as appropriate, must: — separate transit sheet no. 2;

  • fill in box "H" (point F),
  • enter the relevant observations at point G,
  • send this sheet without delay to the customs office indicated in point E of box "H".

The aforementioned customs office must also complete and endorse the discharge certificate (points 1 to 6) in the corresponding transit matrix before returning the carnet to its holder.

Research procedure

All ATA Carnet investigations are handled by the designated central customs offices of each Member State (see Customs Transit: ATA - Temporary admission).

The diagram below shows the use of the ATA Carnet as a transit document for the movement of goods through or within the customs territory of the Union under the ATA Carnet-based regime.