ATA Carnet (CBSA Shipment Type)

This article is part of the Shipment Release Types Guide

This article is about the Canadian shipment type. For the U.S. shipment type, see ATA Carnet (CBP Shipment Type).

Selecting ATA Carnet as the ACI shipment type in BorderConnect.

An ATA Carnet is an international customs document used for the temporary admission of qualifying goods into Canada. In Canada, an ATA Carnet can be used as a CBSA shipment type for goods moving on a BorderConnect ACI eManifest.

Carnets are typically used for commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods for use at exhibitions and fairs. They are not intended for goods that will be consumed, sold, repaired, processed, or otherwise remain in Canada. Carnets are generally valid for up to one year from the date of issue, but the CBSA may set the final date by which goods must be re-exported.^[1]

Video Tutorial

How to create an ATA Carnet shipment in ACI using BorderConnect.

Declaring an ATA Carnet in ACI eManifest

ATA Carnet shipments entering Canada should be reported on an ACI eManifest unless an applicable exemption applies. CBSA's highway ACI/eManifest requirements set out the electronic data requirements used by highway carriers to transmit pre-arrival cargo and conveyance information to the CBSA.^[2]

In BorderConnect, the carrier should:

Create an ACI Shipment.
Select ATA Carnet as the shipment type.
Assign a unique Cargo Control Number.
Enter the shipper, consignee, and commodity details to match the physical carnet document.
Transmit the shipment as part of the ACI eManifest.

The driver must still present the original physical ATA Carnet document to CBSA at the border. The electronic ACI eManifest does not replace the physical carnet booklet or the customs validation process.

Border Process

The CBSA officer uses the carnet counterfoils and vouchers to validate the temporary admission and later re-exportation of the goods.^[1] The carnet holder or carrier should ensure that the document has not expired, that the physical goods match the general list, and that any required permits or certificates are available.

When the goods leave Canada, the carnet must be presented again so that the re-exportation portion can be validated.^[1] Failure to properly close the temporary admission can result in duties or taxes being claimed under the carnet guarantee.

Summary

Item	Canadian ATA Carnet Details
Electronic Manifest	ACI eManifest may be used to report the shipment to CBSA when moving by highway.
Physical Document	The original ATA Carnet booklet is still required at the border.
Typical Validity	Generally up to one year from the date of issue, subject to CBSA limits for the movement.^[1]
Common Uses	Commercial samples, professional equipment, and exhibition or fair goods.

Official Resources

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Canada Border Services Agency, Memorandum D8-1-7: Use of A.T.A. Carnets and Canada/Chinese Taipei Carnets for the Temporary Admission of Goods.
↑ Canada Border Services Agency, ACI/eManifest Highway Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document.

[CBSA-D8-1-7-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Canada Border Services Agency, Memorandum D8-1-7: Use of A.T.A. Carnets and Canada/Chinese Taipei Carnets for the Temporary Admission of Goods.

[CBSA-ECCRD-2] Canada Border Services Agency, ACI/eManifest Highway Electronic Commerce Client Requirements Document.

[1]

[2]