Which format of the carnet shall I issue?

Issuing chambers must issue ATA Carnets in paper format, digital format, or both, depending on the digital readiness of the Customs territories included in the holder's itinerary.

1. Itinerary with Paper-Only Countries (Use Case 1)

If the itinerary involves only countries that have not yet adopted the digital system:

• Action: Issue and deliver the physical paper carnet only.
• Note: Although a digital record exists in your issuing system (NICS or Gateway), you should not provide the eATA ID and PIN to the holder to avoid confusion.

2. Itinerary with Digital-Only Countries (Use Case 3)

If the itinerary consists exclusively of countries that have officially switched to the digital procedure:

• Action: Deliver the digital credentials (eATA ID and PIN) only.
• Note: In this scenario, no physical paper carnet is delivered, as all participating Customs offices will process the transaction digitally.

3. Mixed (Hybrid) Itineraries (Use Cases 2, 4, 5, and 6)

If the itinerary includes a mix of both digital-ready and paper-only territories:

• Action: You must deliver BOTH the physical paper carnet and the digital eATA ID and PIN.
• Crucial Rule: Do not distribute the physical paper carnet until the digital record, ID, and PIN have been successfully generated in the system.
• Validation: Remind holders that on mixed itineraries, the paper carnet must be validated (stamped on the green cover and export counterfoil) by Customs at the point of departure to ensure it is recognised when they reach a paper-only destination.

Operational Guidelines for Chambers

• Check Readiness: Always verify the eATA readiness of every country in the journey before issuance by consulting the official ICC central database or directory.
• Mandatory Digital Record: Ensure every carnet is processed through your connected issuing system (NICS or ATA Gateway); carnets issued outside these systems will not have the digital identity required for digital declarations.
• Discharge and Returns: When a carnet from a mixed itinerary is returned, you must check both the paper transaction records and the digital history in the ATA Carnet Core or Gateway to ensure the carnet is properly discharged before releasing the security.
• Refer to the GTP: For a comprehensive understanding of specific scenarios (such as transit through paper countries vs. digital countries), always refer to the six use cases detailed in the eATA Global Transition Plan.