Services
ATA Carnet
For companies temporarily exporting goods for overseas exhibitions, business trips or filming and subsequently re-importing them, we prepare ATA Carnet issuance and handle temporary export and import clearance.
Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligible applicants | Companies temporarily exporting goods for overseas exhibitions, business trips or filming and subsequently re-importing them |
| Issuing authorities | Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Daegu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anyang-Gwacheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| Preparation time | Start 1 to 2 weeks before departure, including signature registration, preparation of the General List and surety insurance enrollment |
| Validity | Up to 1 year from issuance |
| Costs | Brokerage service fee, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry issuance fee, surety insurance premium and security |
Eligibility and requirements
An ATA Carnet is a document that replaces customs documents and security deposits when goods are temporarily imported, exported or transported under bond between countries party to the ATA Convention. It is used for goods that will be re-imported unchanged in nature after export, and it cannot be used for the following goods.
- Goods consumed or used up in the importing country
- Goods liable to spoil or deteriorate
- Dangerous or regulated goods (considered only if separate permits or approvals have been obtained)
- Goods intended for processing, repair or modification
- Goods intended for sale
- Manufacturing or production facilities not recognized as professional equipment
Categories of use
| Use | Scope |
|---|---|
| Commercial samples | Samples for buyer meetings and demonstrations (all returned without sale) |
| Professional equipment | Broadcasting and filming equipment, performance equipment, etc. used directly for professional activities abroad |
| Exhibitions and fairs | Goods displayed at international exhibitions, fairs and similar events and returned afterward |
Application methods
| Category | In-person application | Online application |
|---|---|---|
| Advance preparation | Signature registration | Signature registration, joint certificate (digital certificate) (for electronic trade or class 1 general-purpose electronic transactions), and web authentication user registration |
| Maximum countries for clearance | 8 countries | 16 countries |
| Collection | In person or by mail after 3 working days from application | In person after 14:00 on the day following payment, or by mail (up to 1 week) |
Procedure
- Confirm the use planPlease tell us the destination, purpose, departure and return schedule, and goods to be taken abroad. We review whether a carnet can be used.
- Prepare the General ListWe compile product descriptions, specifications and unique identifiers, quantities, weights, prices and countries of origin in the General List. Prices are entered in Korean won at domestic retail prices.
- Surety insurance and issuance applicationYou obtain carnet surety insurance, and we prepare the application. The chamber of commerce and industry reviews the entries and prices and issues the carnet.
- Clearance on departure and returnFile a temporary export declaration on departure, import and re-export declarations in the destination country, and a re-import declaration on return, then return the used carnet to the issuing authority.
Carnet contents and vouchers for each customs clearance stage
- Carnet sheets: Yellow sheets are used by Korean customs, and white sheets by customs in the destination country. A voucher (VOUCHER) is a declaration detached and retained by customs, while a counterfoil (COUNTERFOIL) is a record endorsed by customs and retained in the carnet.
- Departure (temporary exportation): When a declaration is filed with Korean customs using the yellow exportation customs document, customs enters its endorsement on the counterfoil and in the "Certificate by customs authorities" section on the green cover. The carnet issued after acceptance is deemed a certificate of export declaration.
- Importation into the destination country: Enter the General List item numbers of the temporarily imported goods on the white importation customs document and submit it. Customs in the destination country enters the re-exportation deadline on the importation counterfoil and issues it back.
- Re-exportation from the destination country: File a re-export declaration using the white re-exportation customs document before departure. If goods are taken out without a re-export declaration, customs in the destination country may collect customs duties.
- Return to Korea (re-importation): File a re-import declaration with Korean customs using the yellow re-importation customs document.
- Blue transit customs documents: These are used for bonded transportation between customs jurisdictions within the destination country.
- Additional destination countries: Each additional destination country requires 1 more white importation customs document and 1 more white re-exportation customs document.
- Return of the carnet: After re-importation is completed, return the carnet to the issuing chamber of commerce and industry, obtain a certificate of completion and claim a refund of the surety insurance premium.
Documents to prepare
- Goods list: product names, specifications, serial numbers, quantities, weights, prices and countries of origin
- First-time applicants: signature registration and user registration with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signature files of the representative and officers and employees, certificate of registered seal impression (issued within the last 3 months), and business registration certificate
- Joint certificate (for online applications) and carnet surety insurance policy
Deadlines and processing times
| Category | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Carnet validity | Up to 1 year from issuance. Some contracting countries permit a 1-year extension |
| Re-export from the destination country | Within the re-export period set by the importing country's customs authority. This period cannot exceed the carnet's validity |
| Signature registration renewal | Renewal is available from 3 months before expiry. The renewed validity is 1 year from the expiry date |
Services we provide
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility review | Whether the destination is party to the convention, intended use of the goods |
| Issuance preparation | Preparation of the General List and the application, guidance on surety insurance enrollment |
| Temporary export and import clearance | Customs clearance on departure and return, guidance on returning the carnet after use |
Fees
| Item | Basis | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| ATA Carnet issuance | 1 to 2 weeks for issuance Chamber of commerce issuance fee and surety insurance premium charged separately | KRW 300,000 |
| Clearance of goods under a Carnet | Temporary export, re-import, temporary import and re-export declarations, per case Excludes hand-carry | KRW 100,000 |
| Urgent ATA Carnet handling | Regional surcharge added to the ATA carnet issuance fee of KRW 300,000; In-person pickup of the original at the chamber of commerce and direct delivery Example: urgent processing in Seoul costs KRW 300,000 + KRW 150,000 = KRW 450,000 Not available for islands and mountain areas | Seoul +KRW 150,000; Seoul metropolitan area +KRW 200,000; Other regions +KRW 300,000 |
| Customs inspection (imports) | Attendance and assistance when selected for inspection by customs, per inspection Varies with the inspection location and scope of work | From KRW 50,000 |
Frequently asked questions
Q. Does a carnet also satisfy local clearance requirements?
No. A carnet replaces customs documents and customs duty security, and the destination country's import and export requirements must be checked separately.
Q. Can goods be added to the General List after issuance?
After a carnet is issued, goods other than those entered in the General List cannot be added.
Consultation
Consult us about ATA Carnet issuance
Related laws and resources
- Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry ATA Carnet guide (definition, uses and validity)
- Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry: carnet eligibility
- Customs Convention on the A.T.A. Carnet for the Temporary Admission of Goods (A.T.A. Convention)
- Customs Act, Article 99 (Duty exemption for re-imports)
Effective dates: A.T.A. Convention entered into force 1978-07-03, Customs Act 2026-10-02. Accessed through the National Law Information Center on 2026-10-21.