Who can sign an ATA Carnet in the digital system and how should authorised representatives be indicated?

Who shall sign the Carnet and who shall sign the travel in the digital system?

In the digital ATA Carnet system, the concept of “holder or authorised representative” reflects a shift from paper-based signatures to digital consent and traceability of the individual performing the action.

1. Who can sign the carnet (initial signature)?

The initial “Sign Carnet” action replaces the paper holder’s signature (cover page - box J) and confirms liability.

• The transformation of ATA Carnet from paper to digital does not change the signing responsibility. The person responsible to sign carnet in the digital environment is the same person responsible to sign paper carnet’s cover page - box J in the paper environment.
• The carnet should be signed by the holder or a person with legal authority to bind the holder. In many cases, holders are companies, the signer would be the company’s legal representative or an individual eligible to represent the company to assume legal obligations for the goods under the carnet and the use of the carnet. 
• The system does not technically prevent anyone from signing. It is signer’s responsibility to ensure that they have explicit authority to assume responsibility.
• Carnet must be signed before presenting to Customs for validation and exportation. Final acceptance always remains at the discretion of the Customs authority in charge of carnet validation and exportation. 

2. Who can sign declarations (vouchers)?

The person responsible to sign declarations in the digital environment is the same person responsible to sign vouchers in the paper environment.

Declarations should be signed by holders or their authorised representatives. The signer should be

• The holder, or
• A representative listed in Box B (Represented By), or
• If Box B is filled with a name and ‘any other authorised representative’, the person to sign declarations could be anyone holding a duly issued letter of authorisation (POA) to represent and bind the holder. (Note: some Customs have special requirements on POA, check with issuing associations first to get instructions)

Two compliant operational scenarios exist:

• The holder signs and shares vouchers (QR codes) with the representative
• The representative signs declarations directly

4. How should Box B (Represented by) be completed?

To ensure flexibility and acceptance:

• Indicate the representative’s individual name and company name (if known)
• It is recommended to include:
  → “and/or any authorised representative”
• It is not mandatory to list all individual names, provided representatives are covered by Box B or a POA

5. What are the requirements for the person presenting the carnet at the border?

The individual physically presenting the carnet (e.g. driver, broker staff) must:

• Be authorised (via Box B or POA)
• Be identifiable

In the digital system:

• The name of the person signing is recorded and visible to Customs
• This name must match their official ID (e.g. passport)
• Customs may request a letter of authorisation (POA) if the person is not explicitly listed

6. Key principle

The digital ATA Carnet system:

• Records who signs (individual identity)
• Does not replace Customs verification responsibilities

Customs authorities always assess whether the person signing or presenting the carnet is authorised.

Summary

• Initial signature: holder or a person with legal authority to bind the holder for the goods and the use of the carnet
• Declarations: holder or authorised representative
• Box B: better to include representative company + “any authorised representative”
• Presenter at border: must be authorised and identifiable (Box B or POA)
• Customs: final authority on acceptance