..:: India Strategic ::. Civil Aviation: Now your goods have a visa too

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Editorial

Now your goods have a visa too

Published : April 2014

New Delhi. Next time you attend Defexpo or Aero India and marvel at the level of arms and equipment displayed, remember we are in easier times. Now your goods have a visa too! ATA Carnet system helps DRDO ferry goods to exhibitions abroad. Very few of us know that during the recently concluded Defexpo where a record number of foreign OEMs got equipment for display, has ATA Carnet which smoothened this temporary import.

ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted customs document used by members of the exporting community from India, to travel abroad with commercial samples for participating in exhibitions, trade fairs or business promotion tours. ATA Carnet is a temporary admission document, which simplifies the customs procedures and clearances in a foreign country, without paying duty or a bank guarantee for temporary import into that country.

Like a passport for goods, ATA Carnet allows for the goods for which it was issued to enter any of the participating countries for up to one year. In India, FICCI is the sole National Guarantor for ATA Carnets.

The ATA Carnet is a simple customs document which is readily made out by the holder and checked by the customs. For business people the ATA Carnet provides a simple and speedy way to travel abroad with business materials. It saves both time and money and this is a very important factor in international competition.

Trade circles, guaranteeing associations and customs administrations all acknowledge the excellent operation of the ATA Carnet System. For the customs, the use of the ATA Carnet entails less administrative work and increased customs safety since the payment of import duties and taxes is guaranteed by the guaranteeing association affiliated to the WCF/ATA guarantee chain in the territory of the temporary admission.

The guarantee is automatic and the customs need not check its validity for each Carnet. In addition, the system does not affect the revenue of the nation since the goods covered by the ATA Carnets are intended for re-exportation and not at all for sale in the country of temporary admission. The system is “self-policing” in that should the Carnet holder fail to re-export the goods within the period of validity of the Carnet, duties become payable.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC), ICC Asia and Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce & Industry (CACCI) jointly organised a workshop on “Why should India expand the ATA Carnet System” in New Delhi. This initiative was one of multiple steps and initiatives taken by FICCI and the Indian government recently to encourage greater usage of the ATA Carnet. The workshop was inaugurated by Shobha L Chary, Member (Customs), Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Government of India. A special address to the participants was made by Lee Ju Song, Director, ICC Asia.