UAE Rolls Out Electronic ATA Carnet, First Country Outside Europe to Adopt It

The UAE on Monday (November 9) commenced its rollout of the electronic ATA Carnet (eATA Carnet) system, becoming the first country outside Europe to adopt the digital solution. The initiative is being implemented through collaboration between Dubai Chambers, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), and Dubai Customs, with ATA Carnets issued and processed electronically through digital declarations, QR codes and transaction records, replacing paper-based procedures. (Image: file photo of Dubai Chambers headquarters, courtesy of the Dubai Media Office.)

From paper to digital for faster border crossings

An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows goods such as exhibition items and professional equipment to be temporarily imported without paying duties and taxes. Digitalisation lets holders declare and verify online, cutting paperwork and waiting time at the border and making it easier for exhibitors, artists, sports teams and businesses to bring goods into the UAE temporarily.

One of only 13 chambers among 1,200 worldwide to adopt eATA

Dubai Chamber of Commerce has served as the UAE's National Guaranteeing and Issuing Association for ATA Carnets since 2011. Dubai Chambers is one of only 13 of the International Chamber of Commerce's 1,200 member chambers worldwide to implement the eATA Carnet system. The UAE's transition follows the June 2026 rollout across 30 European countries, and full global digitalisation of the ATA Carnet system is expected by January 1, 2028.