13/5/2018
Implementation of ATA Carnet system in Qatar from 1 August 2018
Sheikha Tamadar Al Thani, Director of International Relations and Chambers’ Affairs at Qatar Chamber and the International Chamber of Commerce Qatar, announced that Qatar has officially joined the World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) during her participation in the Council meeting held by the International Chamber of Commerce’s World Chambers Federation on the 9th of May 2018 in Xi’an, China.
During her address to WATAC, Sheikha Tamader noted that the State of Qatar’s formal accession to the Council as a full member came as a result of the lengthy negotiations conducted during the previous sessions with WATAC leadership and council members adding that the ATA Carnet plays an important role towards advancing the cause of free trade as a mechanism of trade facilitation. She further noted that world trade is facing momentous challenges nowadays, with protectionist policies on the rise again and the State of Qatar’s accession to the Council is a testimony to its adherence to free trade, and to its belief in the importance of the free movement of goods and services around the world.
The ATA Carnet is an international customs document permitting the duty-free and tax-free temporary import and export of goods for up to one year. The most prominent features of the ATA Carnet is to enable marketing representatives, exhibition participants and businessmen to make advance customs arrangements at a predetermined cost; visit several countries consecutivley and use the ATA Carnet for several trips during its one-year validity. The system facilitates and simplifies customs procedures across borders for exporters and importers using one document to complete all customs procedures in the 77 countries that apply the ATA Carnet system. Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the national guarantor for the application of ATA Carnet.
Sheikha Tamadar pointed out that Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry will organize introductory seminars and workshops aimed towards potential ATA Carnet holders and the business community as well as coordinate with the General Customs Authority regarding the implementation of the ATA Carnet system, noting that it will take effect starting from the 1st of August 2018.
This post is also available in: العربية
