The eATA Digital Carnet is coming soon
The digital e-carnet will go live from 1st June 2026
The digital eATA Carnet launches June 2026
The ATA Carnet system is moving from paper documents to a secure digital carnet held in a smartphone app.
What this means
• Carnets will generate QR codes for customs
• Equipment lists are stored digitally
• Paper carnets remain during the transition phase
Planning an overseas production or event? We can usually provide ATA Carnets within 24 hours
eATA Digital Carnet at a glance
- Launch date: June 2026
- Digital access: ATA Carnet app
- Customs processing: Scan QR Code
- Paper carnets: Still used during transistion phase
In this article:
- The eATA Carnet is the digital version of the traditional ATA Carnet used for temporary export of professional equipment.
Instead of carrying a paper carnet booklet, the carnet holder accesses their carnet through a secure mobile application.
How it works
- A digital carnet ID is issued
- The carnet is stored in the mobile app
- Customs scan a QR code to record the transactions
- Equipment lists are stored digitally in the app
For production teams, motorsport crews and touring organisations travelling internationally with equipment, the move to digital carnets should make border crossings faster and reduce the risk of lost or damaged carnet booklets.
Faster Customs Processing
- Customs officers scan a QR code rather than manually stamping vouchers.
Reduced Risk of Lost Carnets
- Digital records eliminate the risk of lost or damaged paper booklets which could result in claims.
Real-Time Carnet Visibility
- Transactions are recorded digitally, improving tracking.
Faster Carnet Issuance
- Digital carnets can be activated immediately after issuance.
- Not subject to delays due to post or courier delivery
- You will continue to apply for your carnet in the usual way. See our application portal Carnet Pro
- We will process your application and then issue your carnet
- Once issued, your paper carnet will be delivered to you by post, courier or pick up
- We also provide a digital ID and PIN code to give you access to your digital carnet
- Go to the Apple app store or Googleplay and search for “ATA Carnet”
- Download the ICC official ATA Carnet app for your mobile device
- Enter the Digital ID and PIN code to see your carnet
- In the app, enter your departure and arrival locations. This generates the digital “vouchers” as a QR code which you present to Customs at the respective borders
The eATA Carnet is being introduced from 1st June 2026 and will be accepted initially by the following countries:
- United Kingdom
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Parts of EU
- Some US airports
All countries are scheduled to accept digital carnets by the end of 2028
During the transition phase
- You will be issued with a paper carnet and a digital eATA Carnet
- Your digital carnet will be activated in the eATA Carnet app carried on your mobile device
- You must present the paper carnet alongside your digital carnet
- Some countries will accept both digital and paper carnets
- Countries that have not yet transitioned to digital carnets will only accept the paper carnet
ATA Carnets are widely used by organisations travelling internationally with professional equipment, including:
- film and television productions
- motorsport teams
- professional sports organisations
- photographers
- touring music & theatre productions
- exhibitions & events companies
eATA Carnet Rollout Timeline
- March 2026
Trial phase Digital carnet ID issued alongside paper carnets for users to test the system - June 2026
eATA Carnet system goes live and launches in first adopter countries. - Future phase
Fully digital carnets expected by end 2028 as adoption expands internationally.
If you’re travelling soon or just have a general question about carnets, we’re here to help
Media Carnets specialises in carnets for:
- film and TV production
- motorsport teams
- sports organisations
- touring equipment
