The ATA Carnet, often described as a “Passport for goods”, is operated by the International Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the World Customs Organization (WCO). It provides exemption from duties, taxes and other customs charges for the temporary importation of goods and helps to smooth the flow of trade across borders.

The Iranian agreement follows several years of negotiations between ATA authorities, the Iranian Customs and the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines, which will become the 63^rd member of the ICC/ATA international guarantee chain.

This is a major breakthrough in spreading the use of the ATA system in that part of the world, and a clear signal that Iran is keen to play a full role in global trade, for the benefit of both Iranian enterprises and their foreign trading partners.

Iranian Customs will accept ATA Carnets for duty-free temporary imports of professional equipment, commercial samples and goods for display or use at trade fairs, exhibitions and similar events.

ATA is an acronym for the French and English words Admission Temporaire/ Temporary Admission. During the more than 42 years the Carnet system has been in use, it has spread throughout the world from just a handful of OECD countries. In 2004, some 160 000 Carnets were issued worldwide, covering goods valued at about US$12 billion

. ATA Carnets are issued to enterprises by chambers of commerce and similar business organizations affiliated to the ICC ATA international Customs guarantee chain.

For more information on ATA Carnets please contact

Alain Destouches, ATA Administrative Director, International Chamber of Commerce

Tel +33 (0)1 49 53 28 48

Email: alain.destouches@iccwbo.org

or visit our ATA Carnet website: http://www.atacarnets.org