Press Releases
DMA Newsdesk New Delhi, 26 March 2014
EXPANDING USAGE OF ATA CARNET SYSTEM
Workshop on "Why Should India Expand the ATA Carnet System"
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC), ICC Asia and Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CACCI) jointly organized a workshop on "Why should India expand the ATA Carnet System" in New Delhi. This initiative was one of multiple steps and initiatives taken by FICCI and the Indian government recently to encourage greater usage of the ATA Carnet. The workshop was inaugurated by MS. Shobha L Chary, Member (Customs), Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Government of India. A special address to the participants was made by Ms Lee Ju Song, Director, ICC Asia. Ms. Ambika Sharma, Dy. Secretary General & Head-International, FICCI gave the welcome address.
The Government is actively considering to expand the scope of ATA Carnet convention. At present, India is a signatory to convention on exhibitors and fairs only. It is proposed to expand the same to cover commercial samples, professional equipment, private exhibitions, film shootings, musical troupes, sports, media coverage etc.
The prime objectives of the current workshop are:
- To expand India's participation in the ATA system to cover professional equipment and commercial samples for the benefit of all national guaranteeing organizations affiliated to the international ATA Carnet guarantee chain
- To enhance Customs-Business Partnership
- To create awareness amongst Indian exporting fraternity about the benefits of ATA Carnet
- To discuss and review the practical operation of ATA Carnet System in India
ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted customs document used my members of the exporting community from India, to travel abroad with commercial samples for participating in exhibitions, trade fairs or business promotion tours. ATA Carnet is a temporary admission document, which simplifies the customs procedures and clearances in a foreign country, without paying duty or a bank guarantee for temporary import into that country. Like a passport for goods, ATA Carnet allows for the goods for which it was issued to enter any of the participating countries for up to one year. In India, FICCI is the sole National Guarantor for ATA Carnets.
At present 73 countries recognize ATA Carnet, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, UAE, UK and USA. To facilitate Carnet like mechanism for temporary movement of goods/ exhibits between India and Taiwan, a protocol was signed between FICCI in India and TAITRA in Taiwan. The same will be implemented from April 1, 2014.