The United Arab Emirates began accepting digital ATA Carnets on Nov. 9, giving businesses an electronic customs option for moving exhibition goods, commercial samples and professional equipment into the country temporarily.
Dubai Chambers called the UAE the first country outside Europe to activate digital carnets. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) lists 30 European countries as having started digital procedures on June 1.
An ATA Carnet lets eligible goods enter a participating country for temporary use without import duties or taxes, provided the goods are re-exported. It can remain valid for up to one year.
In 2025, Dubai Chamber of Commerce issued or received a combined 5,960 ATA Carnets covering goods worth AED 5.6 billion, its annual report shows. The number of carnets rose 11.2% from 2024, while the value of the goods increased 30%.
The chamber has been the UAE’s carnet issuing and guaranteeing association since 2011. From then through 2025, it issued or received 63,591 carnets covering goods worth AED 54.4 billion, Dubai Chambers said.
For digital processing, carnet holders prepare customs declarations in an ICC app and show a QR code to customs officers. Officers verify the goods and record the transaction electronically. Dubai Chamber of Commerce worked with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security and Dubai Customs on the UAE rollout.
Dubai Chambers expects digital processing to reduce paperwork and speed clearance. It has not reported measured savings or clearance times from the UAE launch.
A digital carnet will not make every journey paperless. The ICC says travelers passing through a country that still uses paper carnets must also have a paper document validated. Countries are adopting the system at different times as their customs authorities become ready.
Moldova is scheduled to activate digital procedures on Jan. 1, 2027, followed by Serbia on Feb. 1, according to the ICC. The organization expects ATA Carnet procedures to be fully digital worldwide by Jan. 1, 2028.
