The UAE launched the digital eATA Carnet system on 9 November 2026. Understand how ATA Carnets work, which goods qualify, the customs process and what businesses need to know.

UAE Launches Digital ATA Carnet System: What Businesses and Exporters Need to Know

The UAE has commenced the rollout of the Electronic ATA Carnet (eATA Carnet) system on 9 November 2026, becoming the first country outside Europe to implement the digital system for issuing and processing ATA Carnets.

The initiative is being implemented through cooperation between Dubai Chambers, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), Dubai Customs and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The new system replaces paper-based Carnet procedures with electronic issuance, declarations and customs transaction records. It is intended to simplify the temporary movement of goods across international borders, reduce administrative work and improve customs processing.

This development is particularly relevant to UAE businesses participating in international exhibitions, trade fairs, product demonstrations and other commercial activities that require equipment or goods to be transported temporarily to another country.

To understand the importance of this change, it is first necessary to understand what an ATA Carnet is and how the existing system operates.

1. What Is an ATA Carnet?

An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows eligible goods to enter participating countries temporarily without payment of customs duties and taxes, provided the goods comply with the applicable conditions and are re-exported within the permitted period.

It is commonly described as a passport for goods because it facilitates the temporary movement of goods across borders.

For example:

• A Dubai jewellery business wants to display its products at an exhibition in Paris.

• A photographer needs to take professional camera equipment to London.

• A company wants to transport machinery to Germany for a demonstration.

• A business intends to take commercial samples to an international trade fair.

In these situations, an ATA Carnet may allow eligible goods to enter the destination country temporarily without the usual import duty and tax payments, subject to the applicable customs rules.

The Carnet can also be used for multiple journeys and participating countries during its validity period, which is generally up to one year.

Important: An ATA Carnet is intended for temporary admission. It does not permit businesses to import goods permanently without paying the applicable customs duties and taxes. Goods must be re-exported in accordance with the Carnet conditions.

2. Why Has the UAE Introduced the eATA Carnet System?

The ATA Carnet system has been operating in the UAE since 2011. Dubai Chamber of Commerce has served as the National Guaranteeing and Issuing Association for ATA Carnets in the country.

The introduction of eATA Carnet represents the next stage of this existing system. Rather than creating a new customs exemption, it digitises the way eligible Carnets are issued, presented and processed.

According to the announcement by Dubai Chambers on 9 November 2026:

• 63,591 ATA Carnets were issued and received in the UAE between 2011 and 2025.

• These Carnets covered goods valued at approximately AED 54.4 billion.

• In 2025 alone, Dubai Chamber of Commerce issued and received 5,960 Carnets covering goods valued at AED 5.6 billion.

• Dubai accounted for 71% of all ATA Carnet transactions in the UAE in 2025.

These figures demonstrate the importance of the system to businesses involved in international trade, exhibitions and commercial activities.

The new digital process is intended to reduce reliance on physical documentation and make the movement of qualifying goods more efficient.

3. Who Is Involved in the New Digital System?

The implementation involves several authorities and international organisations.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Dubai Chamber of Commerce is responsible for issuing and guaranteeing ATA Carnets in the UAE. It is leading the transition to the electronic system and coordinating with the relevant customs authorities and international partners.

Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)

ICP is involved in the federal customs ecosystem and coordination required for the implementation of the digital process.

Dubai Customs

Dubai Customs is responsible for customs operations in Dubai and participates in the processing and clearance of goods under the applicable customs procedures.

International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

The ICC coordinates the international ATA Carnet system and has developed the digital infrastructure supporting the electronic Carnet process, working with customs administrations and national guaranteeing associations.

The UAE's implementation follows technical coordination, training and pre-launch testing involving the relevant stakeholders.

4. What Has Changed Under the eATA Carnet System?

Under the traditional system, businesses used a physical Carnet booklet containing customs documents and vouchers. Customs officials recorded the movement of goods through the required endorsements and stamps.

The digital system replaces much of this paper-based handling with electronic issuance and processing.

The digital system is designed to improve the traceability of customs transactions and reduce the administrative work involved in handling temporary imports and exports.

However, the digital format does not remove the underlying customs conditions. Businesses must still ensure that their goods qualify, that the relevant declarations are completed and that the goods are re-exported as required.

5. How Does the eATA Carnet Process Work?

Consider a Dubai-based company participating in an international exhibition in Germany.

The company wants to transport display equipment, product samples and demonstration machinery for temporary use at the event.

The process can be understood through the following stages:

Step 1: Identify the goods

The business identifies the goods it intends to transport and checks whether they qualify under the ATA Carnet system.

Step 2: Apply for an ATA Carnet

The business applies through the relevant issuing channel, which in the UAE is handled by Dubai Chamber of Commerce. The applicable Dubai Trade service procedures should be checked before submitting the application.

Step 3: Submit the required information

The applicant provides the details of the goods, their values, the intended destination and other information required by the issuing association.

Step 4: Complete the issuing and guarantee requirements

The application is reviewed and the applicable fees, guarantee or security requirements are completed in accordance with the issuing association's procedures.

Step 5: Access the digital Carnet

Once issued, the digital Carnet can be accessed through the ICC ATA Carnet application using the credentials supplied by the issuing association.

Step 6: Present the Carnet for customs processing

The Carnet is presented through the applicable digital process at the relevant customs points. Customs authorities process the required entry and exit transactions in accordance with their digital readiness and procedures.

Step 7: Re-export and discharge the Carnet

The goods must be re-exported within the permitted period. The business should ensure that the required customs transactions are properly completed and that the Carnet is discharged in accordance with the applicable procedure.

The business should retain the relevant records and follow the issuing association's process for any release or refund of security.

The exact steps and supporting requirements should be confirmed with Dubai Chamber of Commerce before each journey.

6. What Types of Goods Can Be Covered?

The ATA Carnet system is intended for eligible goods that are temporarily transported for specific commercial or professional purposes.

Common examples include:

Professional equipment

• Cameras and filming equipment;

• Broadcasting equipment;

• Musical instruments;

• Technical and specialist equipment.

Exhibition and trade-fair goods

• Jewellery and watches;

• Artwork and antiques;

• Display materials;

• Eligible products intended for exhibition.

Commercial samples and demonstration goods

• Product samples;

• Machinery used for demonstrations;

• Equipment taken abroad for professional or commercial activities.

Depending on the applicable rules and conditions, other categories may also qualify.

What goods are not covered?

The ATA Carnet system does not generally cover:

• Consumable goods;

• Perishable goods;

• Goods intended for sale or permanent importation under the temporary admission procedure.

It is also important to remember that an ATA Carnet does not replace other licences, permits or approvals that may be required for restricted or controlled goods.

Businesses should check the eligibility of their goods before applying.

7. When Does the Digital System Apply Internationally?

The UAE's rollout forms part of a wider international transition towards digital ATA Carnets.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the ICC have been coordinating the transition, with countries and customs territories moving to the digital system according to their readiness.

The published implementation dates include:

The wider transition is expected to result in a fully digital international ATA Carnet system by 1 January 2028.

However, not every country has moved to the digital process at the same time.

Where a business's itinerary includes a country or customs territory that has not yet implemented digital Carnet processing, paper procedures may still be required. Certain journeys may therefore involve a combination of digital and paper processes.

Businesses should check the digital readiness of every destination and transit point before departure rather than assuming that a digital Carnet will be accepted throughout the entire journey.

8. What Are the Benefits for UAE Businesses?

The introduction of eATA Carnet is expected to provide several practical benefits.

1. Reduced paperwork

Electronic issuance and processing reduce dependence on physical Carnet booklets and paper-based customs documentation.

2. More efficient customs processing

Electronic declarations and transaction records can help reduce manual handling and support faster customs procedures.

3. Improved tracking

Digital records and notifications can make it easier for businesses to monitor Carnet transactions and the movement of goods.

4. Reduced administrative burden

Businesses can spend less time managing physical documents and coordinating paper-based procedures.

5. Support for international exhibitions and trade

The system is particularly useful for companies that regularly transport equipment, samples and exhibition materials across borders.

6. Greater transparency

Electronic transaction records can improve visibility over the customs stages completed during the temporary movement of goods.

These benefits are intended to support the UAE's position as a centre for international trade, exhibitions, conferences and commercial activities.

9. What Should Businesses Do Before Using the eATA Carnet System?

Businesses planning to transport goods temporarily outside the UAE should consider the following steps:

• Check eligibility: Confirm whether the goods fall within the categories covered by the ATA Carnet system.

• Confirm the destination: Check whether each country or customs territory on the itinerary supports digital Carnet processing.

• Prepare the goods list: Maintain accurate descriptions and values of the goods being transported.

• Check issuing requirements: Review the application, fee and guarantee requirements with Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

• Understand re-export obligations: Ensure that the goods can be returned within the permitted period.

• Complete customs transactions: Confirm that the required entry, exit and discharge records are properly processed.

• Retain supporting documents: Keep relevant application records, Carnet details and customs evidence.

Businesses should not assume that digitalisation removes the need for customs declarations, inspections, guarantees or other applicable requirements.

Conclusion

The UAE's introduction of the eATA Carnet system on 9 November 2026 marks an important step in the digitalisation of international customs procedures.

The traditional ATA Carnet system has supported the temporary movement of eligible goods in the UAE since 2011. The new digital format modernises the process by allowing Carnets to be issued and processed electronically, reducing reliance on paper documents and improving the handling of customs transactions.

For exporters, exhibition organisers, manufacturers and businesses that regularly transport professional equipment or commercial samples internationally, the change can make temporary cross-border movement more efficient.

However, the underlying conditions remain important. Businesses must ensure that their goods qualify, follow the customs procedures of the countries involved and re-export the goods within the permitted period.

The key change is the digitalisation of an existing international customs procedure—not the introduction of a new blanket exemption from customs duties and taxes.