Need To Be Vigilant While Following Procedures In Carnet At Every Country Entry And Exit, Points Deputy Commissioner Of Customs, Blr

Mr Animesh Garg, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru, yesterday stressed on the need to be vigilant and careful while following the procedures of stamping, sealing and getting entries registered in the carnet correctly at every country entry/exit point. He called for giving the same importance to carnets as one would give to their respective passports.

Addressing the ‘Workshop on ATA Carnet’ organized by FICCI, jointly with the Federation of Indian Granite Stone Industry (FIGSI), Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) & Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce (BCIC), Mr Garg assured that the local customs would come forward if any ATA Carnet user faces delay or harassment. He further stated that close cooperation between the customs department and FICCI would help in overcoming the practical difficulties. He added that the Customs in Bengaluru has recently introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for ATA Carnet import and export consignments to be followed by all exporters/traders in Bengaluru Ports.

Highlighting the importance of the workshop for the local export community Mr K. Ullas Kamath, Chairman, FICCI-KSC said, “The workshop is a great initiative by FICCI in educating people on the use of Carnet and appreciating the value it brings to the export community.” He further said that small, medium entrepreneurs and startups in Karnataka can avail the benefit of ATA Carnet to display, showcase and market their products in the overseas market.

Elaborating on ATA Carnet, Mr PS Pruthi, Senior Consultant, FICCI & Former Member Customs Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) said the scheme was like a global customs document. “It simplifies customs procedures at different customs stations to facilitate temporary importation of goods,” he stated while adding that the ATA Carnet is already being used in 79 countries, including India. He also talked about e-Carnet system to be introduced worldwide by World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) in association with Word Customs Organisation (WCO) in 2-3 years.

Mr S. Krishna Prasad, President, FIGSI, Mr Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, President, FKCCI & Mr N.R. Badrinath, Chairman of Indirect Taxes Committee, BCIC also shared their perspective during the event.

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 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 deposits or guarantees in the country of 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 79 countries recognize ATA Carnet, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Spain, UAE, UK and USA.  

The workshop drew participation from industry experts, exporters from various sectors, fair and exhibition organizers etc. The event provided them 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.