Workshop on ATA Carnet by FICCI

Business Wire India
Mr. P.S. Pruthi, Former Member, Customs Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) ATA Carnet Workshop in Kolkata organised by FICCI and Mr. M.K. Sharma, Dy. Commissioner of Customs, Kolkata addressed the Workshop on ATA Carnet jointly organized by FICCI, ICC Asia, World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC), Paris and Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Kolkata highlighted the importance of the ATA Carnet instrument for the business community and also challenges faced by Customs.  Mrs. Lee Ju Song, Executive Director of ICC Asia and Member of the World ATA Carnet Council, Paris, addressed the gathering and participated in the deliberations and sessions which discussed the importance of expanding the ATA Carnet system in India.
 

The workshop drew participation from senior customs officials, industry experts, extensive representation from export promotion councils, film associations, freight forwarding companies, customs house agents, fair and exhibition organizers. This event provided exporters and business experts with a unique opportunity to share their mutually beneficial knowledge and experiences. The industry discussed issues involved with respect to temporary imports of goods and drew benefit from the deliberations of the sessions.
 
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. An ATA Carnet holder can avoid customs declaration and can do away with security deposit or guarantee in the country of temporary importation. In India, FICCI is the sole National Guarantor for ATA Carnets.
 
ATA Carnet covers several areas for use including trade fairs, shows, exhibitions, meetings etc. for temporary export into a country, which is a signatory to the conventions governing ATA Carnets. Goods must be re-exported out of every country and re-imported into India within a year. At present 75 countries recognize ATA Carnet, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, UAE, UK and USA.
 
The Government is actively considering to expand the scope of ATA Carnet System. At present, India is a signatory to convention on Exhibition and fairs only. It is proposed to expand the same to cover commercial samples, professional equipment, private exhibitions, film shootings, musical troupes, sports and media coverage etc. FICCI, which is the National Issuing and Guaranteeing Association (NIGA) for implementing ATA Carnets in India, is pursuing the matter with the Ministry of Finance for the expansion of scope of system to cover professional equipment and commercial samples.

Photo Caption: ATA Carnet Workshop in Kolkata organised by FICCI