The UAE has started rolling out the eATA Carnet system, a digital customs platform designed to simplify the temporary import and export of goods. Led by Dubai Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with UAE customs authorities and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the initiative aims to reduce paperwork, improve customs procedures and support businesses involved in international exhibitions, trade fairs and events.
The UAE is the first country outside Europe to implement the fully digital system, marking another step in its efforts to strengthen its position as an international trade and business hub.
- Location: United Arab Emirates
- Organisation: Dubai Chamber of Commerce, UAE customs authorities and ICC
- Status: Digital rollout began on 9 November 2026
- Who is affected: Businesses, exhibition organisers, event companies and professionals transporting eligible goods internationally
- Business impact: Less paperwork and more streamlined temporary customs procedures
- What’s next: The ICC is targeting a worldwide transition to digital ATA Carnets by 1 January 2028
The UAE has launched a new digital customs system to make international trade easier for businesses moving goods across borders temporarily. Announced on 9 November 2026, the eATA Carnet rollout is led by Dubai Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with UAE customs authorities and the International Chamber of Commerce.
The new UAE digital customs system replaces traditional paper-based ATA Carnet procedures with electronic processing. It is expected to reduce administrative work, simplify customs transactions and make it easier for businesses to transport exhibition materials, commercial samples and professional equipment internationally.
The UAE is also the first country outside Europe to implement the fully digital platform.
What Is the UAE’s New eATA Carnet System?
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document commonly known as a passport for goods. It allows eligible items to enter participating countries temporarily without paying import duties and taxes, provided they are re-exported within the permitted period.
The system is particularly useful for companies and professionals who need to transport equipment or merchandise internationally without permanently importing it into another country.
For example, a Dubai-based business attending an international trade exhibition may need to take product samples and display equipment overseas. An ATA Carnet simplifies the customs process for these temporary movements.
The new eATA Carnet system digitises this process, replacing traditional paper documentation with an electronic platform.
According to the International Chamber of Commerce, an ATA Carnet can be valid for up to one year and is accepted in more than 80 countries.
How Does the Digital Customs Passport Work?
The new system allows eligible businesses and professionals to manage their ATA Carnets electronically through a digital process.
Instead of carrying a traditional paper carnet for the digital procedure, users can access their documents through the ICC ATA Carnet mobile application.
The process involves several steps:
- Applicants obtain an ATA Carnet through the authorised issuing association.
- They receive a Carnet ID and PIN to access their digital document.
- The digital carnet is downloaded through the ICC mobile application.
- Users prepare their goods and travel declarations.
- A QR code generated through the application is presented to customs officials.
- Customs authorities verify the document and declared goods electronically.
- The customs transaction is recorded digitally.
This approach is designed to reduce paperwork and make customs verification more convenient.
However, the digital system does not remove customs inspections or the rules governing eligible goods. Businesses must still comply with temporary admission requirements and re-export conditions.
Which Businesses Will Benefit From the eATA Carnet Launch?
The new system is particularly relevant to companies and professionals who regularly move equipment, samples and other eligible goods across international borders.
Some of the main beneficiaries include:
- Exhibition organisers: Companies transporting display materials, samples and equipment for international trade fairs.
- Event management companies: Businesses moving temporary event equipment between countries.
- Film and production teams: Professionals travelling with eligible cameras and filming equipment.
- Artists and musicians: Performers transporting musical instruments and professional equipment for international events.
- Sports teams: Athletes and organisations taking eligible sporting equipment abroad for competitions.
- International businesses: Companies carrying commercial samples for meetings, presentations and business activities.
For businesses operating from Dubai, the system could make international participation in exhibitions and trade events easier to manage.
It is also relevant to companies bringing eligible goods into the UAE temporarily for conferences, exhibitions and other professional activities.
Dubai Chambers Leads the UAE’s Digital Customs Rollout
Dubai Chamber of Commerce is overseeing the implementation of the new system in coordination with UAE customs authorities and the ICC.
The chamber has served as the UAE’s National Guaranteeing and Issuing Association for ATA Carnets since the country joined the international system in 2011.
Before the digital launch, Dubai Chamber of Commerce worked with customs authorities and ICC specialists to prepare for the transition. This included technical coordination meetings, online training sessions, practical workshops and testing of the platform.
According to Dubai Chambers, the organisation is now among just 13 chambers worldwide to have implemented the eATA Carnet system, out of approximately 1,200 ICC-member chambers.
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, said the initiative would deliver faster, more transparent and secure customs procedures while supporting companies looking to expand internationally.
The launch builds on more than a decade of ATA Carnet operations in the UAE.
Between 2011 and 2025, the country issued and received 63,591 ATA Carnets covering goods valued at AED 54.4 billion, equivalent to approximately $14.8 billion.
UAE Joins Global Shift Towards Paperless Customs Procedures
The UAE’s launch is part of a wider international transition towards digital ATA Carnets.
The International Chamber of Commerce began the first major international rollout of the digital system on 1 June 2026. The initial phase covered 30 countries and customs territories, including 27 European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Norway and Switzerland.
The UAE’s implementation on 9 November makes it the first country outside Europe to introduce the fully digital platform.
The ICC is targeting 1 January 2028 for the worldwide transition to digital ATA Carnet procedures. However, the change will depend on individual countries’ customs readiness and implementation schedules.
This means businesses travelling through countries that have not yet adopted the digital system may still need to follow paper-based procedures where applicable.
Why Does the New Digital Customs System Matter?
The eATA Carnet rollout is relevant to the UAE’s wider efforts to make international business operations more efficient.
For companies based in Dubai, transporting eligible goods for exhibitions, conferences and overseas business activities could become less complicated with digital documentation.
The system also supports event organisers, production teams and professionals who regularly move equipment between countries.
For the UAE, the initiative strengthens its trade infrastructure and supports Dubai’s position as a destination for international exhibitions, conferences and commercial events.
As more countries adopt the digital platform, businesses could benefit from a more consistent customs process when moving eligible goods internationally.
FAQs
1. What is the UAE’s new digital customs passport?
The UAE’s digital customs passport refers to the eATA Carnet system. It allows businesses and professionals to manage eligible temporary imports and exports electronically instead of relying on traditional paper-based ATA Carnets.
2. When did the UAE launch the eATA Carnet system?
The UAE began rolling out the digital system on 9 November 2026, with Dubai Chamber of Commerce leading its implementation alongside UAE customs authorities and the ICC.
3. Who can use the eATA Carnet system?
Businesses, exhibition organisers, event companies, production teams, artists and sports organisations can use ATA Carnets for eligible goods that need to move temporarily across international borders.
4. Does the digital customs system eliminate import duties?
ATA Carnets allow eligible goods to enter participating countries temporarily without paying import duties and taxes, provided the goods meet the applicable conditions and are re-exported within the permitted period. The digital system does not change these eligibility requirements.
5. When will ATA Carnets become fully digital worldwide?
The International Chamber of Commerce is targeting 1 January 2028 for a worldwide transition to digital ATA Carnet procedures. Individual countries will adopt the system according to their customs readiness.
The UAE’s eATA Carnet launch marks an important development in its efforts to simplify international trade procedures. By replacing traditional paper-based ATA Carnet processing with a digital platform, the initiative aims to make temporary cross-border movement of eligible goods more convenient for businesses and professionals.
With Dubai Chamber of Commerce leading the rollout, the UAE is also taking an early position in the global shift towards paperless customs procedures.
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