ATA Carnet South Africa — How Temporary Art Exports Work
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows you to temporarily export goods — including artworks, exhibition materials, and professional equipment — to another country and bring them back without paying import duties or VAT at the destination. For South African galleries, artists, and businesses that exhibit at international art fairs, trade shows, or events, the ATA Carnet is an essential tool. This guide explains how the ATA Carnet works in South Africa, when you need one, and how to apply.
Key fact: The ATA Carnet system covers over 75 countries worldwide and is administered in South Africa by the South African Chamber of Business (SACOB) through SACCI (South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry). JLog supports carnet shipments for gallery and art fair clients as part of our export logistics service; the carnet is issued by SACCI.
What Is an ATA Carnet?
ATA stands for “Admission Temporaire / Temporary Admission.” An ATA Carnet is essentially a passport for goods. It tells customs authorities in the destination country that the goods are entering temporarily and will return to South Africa — so no import duties or taxes should be charged.
Without an ATA Carnet, you would need to pay import duties at the destination (even if the goods are only there for a week), then apply for a refund when they return. This is expensive, slow, and administratively painful. The Carnet eliminates all of that.
When Do You Need an ATA Carnet?
You need an ATA Carnet when you are temporarily exporting goods from South Africa and plan to bring them back. The most common uses in South Africa are:
- Art fairs and exhibitions: Galleries shipping artworks to Art Basel, Frieze, FIAC, or other international fairs. The works are exhibited and either sold (in which case they exit the Carnet) or returned to South Africa.
- Trade shows and expos: Businesses exhibiting products, samples, or demonstration equipment at international trade fairs.
- Professional equipment: Film crews, photographers, musicians, and other professionals travelling with equipment that will return to South Africa.
- Samples: Sales representatives carrying product samples for client meetings abroad.
You do not need an ATA Carnet if:
- You are selling goods permanently to an overseas buyer (use a standard commercial export instead)
- You are shipping to a country that does not participate in the ATA Carnet system
- The goods are consumables that will not return
How the ATA Carnet Works — Step by Step
- Apply through SACCI: Complete the ATA Carnet application form and submit it to the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry. You will need a detailed list of all goods (description, value, serial numbers or unique identifiers), the destination country, and the dates of travel.
- Provide a security deposit or guarantee: SACCI requires a security deposit — typically 40–50% of the total value of the goods — as a guarantee that the goods will return to South Africa. This is refunded when the Carnet is closed. Alternatively, some insurance companies offer Carnet guarantee bonds.
- Receive the Carnet booklet: SACCI issues a physical Carnet booklet containing vouchers for each country you will visit. The booklet travels with the goods.
- Present at South African customs on export: When the goods leave South Africa, the customs officer stamps the export voucher in the Carnet. This proves the goods left the country.
- Present at destination customs on arrival: At the destination country, customs stamps the import voucher. This allows the goods to enter without paying duties.
- Present at destination customs on re-export: When the goods leave the destination country, customs stamps the re-export voucher. This closes the temporary import.
- Present at South African customs on return: When the goods arrive back in South Africa, customs stamps the re-import voucher. This closes the Carnet cycle.
- Return the Carnet to SACCI: Once all goods have returned and all vouchers are stamped, return the booklet to SACCI. Your security deposit is refunded.
ATA Carnet Costs in South Africa
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SACCI application fee | R2,000–R5,000 | Depends on value and complexity |
| Security deposit | 40–50% of goods value | Refundable on return of stamped Carnet |
| Insurance guarantee (alternative to deposit) | R1,500–R5,000 | Non-refundable premium, avoids cash deposit |
| Additional country supplements | R500–R1,000 per country | If visiting multiple countries on one trip |
Processing time: Allow 5–10 business days for SACCI to issue the Carnet. Expedited processing may be available for an additional fee.
What Happens If Goods Are Sold Under a Carnet?
If an artwork or item is sold at the destination (common at art fairs), the buyer must pay the local import duties and VAT in that country. The item is then removed from the Carnet — the seller signs a declaration and the Carnet voucher is endorsed to show the item will not return. The Carnet can still be used for the remaining items.
Countries That Accept the ATA Carnet
The ATA Carnet system covers 75+ countries including all major art fair destinations: the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. A full list is available from SACCI or the World Chambers Federation (ICC).
Common ATA Carnet Mistakes
- Not getting every voucher stamped: If a customs stamp is missing, SACCI assumes the goods were not re-exported and can claim against your security deposit. Always ensure customs stamps every voucher at every border crossing.
- Applying too late: Allow at least 10 business days before your travel date. Last-minute applications cost more and risk not being ready in time.
- Incorrect goods list: Every item on the Carnet must match exactly what you are carrying. Adding or removing items after issue requires an amendment.
- Forgetting to close the Carnet: Return the stamped booklet to SACCI promptly after the trip. Unclosed Carnets can result in forfeiture of your deposit.
How JLog Supports Carnet Shipments for Art Fair Clients
JLog can assist with carnet shipments for galleries and artists exhibiting at international art fairs. As the official logistics partner for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, we have extensive experience with temporary art exports and Carnet procedures.
Our service includes helping you prepare the goods list and documentation for your SACCI application, coordinating with customs at export and re-import, handling the physical logistics (packing, crating, shipping via FedEx or DHL), and making sure all Carnet vouchers are correctly stamped throughout the journey. We keep you updated by email and WhatsApp at every step.
Exhibiting at an international art fair?
info@jlog.co.za | +27 21 300 6099 | https://jlog.co.za/how-to-ship-artwork-cape-town/
Exporting art or equipment on an ATA Carnet? Get a quote or call JLog on +27 21 300 6099 — official carrier for the Investec Cape Town Art Fair.