Joining the ATA Carnet scheme is part of Madagascar’s drive for better access to world trade, notably through regional integration and the development of tourism. ATA Carnets will provide a practical tool to foster such integration.

“Participation in the ATA network makes a strong statement that a country is open for world business,” said Peter Bishop, Chair of the ICC WCF World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC). “Madagascar is an important addition to the ATA club for its own sake and because we hope this development will encourage other countries in Africa to speed up their entry to the global ATA scheme.”

Madagascar will start accepting and issuing ATA Carnets on 22 April 2013.

More than 175,000 ATA Carnets are issued yearly for thousands of customs transactions worth over US$ 25 billion.

The Carnets allow all kinds of goods to be temporarily transported, usually professional equipment, commercial samples and material for trade fairs and exhibitions. Some examples of note include: a prototype solar car, World Cup yachts, Giorgio Armani apparel, McLaren Grand Prix cars, Munich Symphony Orchestra instruments, , Australian Olympic horses, Harley Davidson motorcycles and equipment for the Bolshoi Ballet, Cirque du Soleil, BBC and CNN .

The ATA Carnet System is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013. It is jointly administered by the World Customs Organization (WCO), holding the international conventions on the temporary admission of goods, and the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF), acting as the administrator of the ATA International Guarantee Chain, comprising the chambers of commerce and other similar business organizations appointed in their respective countries to guarantee and issue Carnets.

To obtain professional advice and a Carnet visit ATA Carnets