The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is pleased to welcome Peru as the 79th country/customs territory to be represented in the ATA Carnet guaranteeing chain. The ATA Carnet is an international customs document operated since 1963 that allows duty- and tax-free temporary admission of goods for up to one year.
The Lima Chamber of Commerce, the national guaranteeing and issuing association appointed by Peru Customs (National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration, SUNAT) –, was accepted as a member of the ATA Carnet international Guaranteeing Chain during a meeting of the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF) General Council on 21 November.
The chamber and SUNAT has since agreed to officially start the ATA Carnet operations on 30 April 2024. This makes Peru the third country in Latin American, after Chile and Mexico, to accept the use of ATA Carnets for temporary admission of goods. The scope of acceptance includes professional equipment, and goods to be displayed or used at exhibitions, fairs and similar events.
Julian Kassum, WCF Director said: “We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the ATA Carnet International Guaranteeing Chain in Latin America. The implementation of the ATA Carnet operation is a major achievement that shows Peru’s commitment to promoting economic growth and trade.”
Henk Wit, Chair of the ICC WCF World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) said: “The ATA family is excited to welcome Peru as a new member in the Chain, in a part of the world where we have been striving for expansion for a long time. It has proven successful to have neighbouring countries in our Chain, as we often do most of our business with ‘those next to us’. Therefore, we are looking forward to having Peru in the Chain, facilitating trade between Peru, its neighbours but also, of course, the other countries using the ATA Carnet.”
Highly awaited by the ATA network, the operation of the ATA Carnet in Peru has been in the works for several years. In preparation, a three-day capacity building programme took place in June 2019, conducted by ICC and the World Customs Organization. The intensive programme provided high-level guidance on temporary admission in the framework of the Convention on Temporary Admission, as well as an in-depth approach to the carnet operations. Virtual trainings to Customs and chamber staff will also take place in January 2024 thanks to the support of the United States Council for International Business (USCIB).
Also known as the “passport for goods,” ATA Carnets are internationally recognised customs documents, important for businesses engaged in international commerce. The international guaranteeing chain is administered by ICC via its WCF World ATA Carnet Council, while the Customs Convention on Temporary Admission is overseen by the World Customs Organization.
In addition to Peru, major progress to advance ATA Carnet has also been made in the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. National guaranteeing associations in both countries have been accepted into ICC’s ATA Carnet Guaranteeing Chain. An announcement will be made once implementation dates are confirmed.
Mr Kassum said: “ICC thanks all stakeholders involved in the progress, which is seen as the best gift marking the 60th anniversary of the ATA Carnet.”
