An ATA Carnet should be returned to the Issuing Association once it is no longer required and all planned movements have been completed. Returning a carnet is an important step in the carnet lifecycle and helps ensure that it is properly discharged and cannot continue to be used unintentionally.

What does "Returned" mean?

A carnet with Returned status has been formally returned to the Issuing Association and marked as no longer in use.

Once a carnet is marked as Returned:

• Customs transactions are no longer permitted.
• New travel declarations cannot be used for Customs processing.
• The carnet remains visible in the ATA Carnet System for consultation and record-keeping purposes.

When should a carnet be returned?

A carnet should normally be returned when:

• all planned journeys have been completed;
• all goods have been re-imported, re-exported, or otherwise regularised;
• the holder no longer intends to use the carnet.

For hybrid paper/digital carnets, the physical paper carnet should also be returned to the Issuing Association according to local procedures.

What happens after a carnet is returned?

Once the Issuing Association processes the return:

• the carnet status changes to Returned;
• the carnet becomes inactive for operational use;
• the holder may receive a notification confirming the status change;
• the carnet history remains available for reference.

Why can’t I prepare new travels or process transactions anymore?

If your carnet has been marked as Returned, this is expected behaviour.

The Returned status is designed to prevent further use of a carnet that has already been discharged or removed from circulation. Customs transactions are not permitted on returned carnets.

Is Returned the same as Cancelled?

No.

Returned

• The carnet existed and may already have been used.
• The carnet has been formally returned to the Issuing Association.
• It is no longer available for Customs transactions.

Cancelled

• The carnet was cancelled by the Issuing Association.
• This usually occurs when the carnet was issued by mistake or never used.
• Different lifecycle rules apply.

What if the carnet was returned by mistake?

In certain situations, the Issuing Association may be able to reverse a return status.

Examples may include:

• the carnet was returned accidentally;
• a final Customs transaction still needs to be completed;
• the carnet requires further regularisation.

The possibility of reversing a return depends on the carnet status and applicable lifecycle rules. Contact your Issuing Association as soon as possible if you believe the carnet was returned in error.

Does returning a carnet delete it?

No.

Returning a carnet does not remove it from the ATA Carnet System.

The carnet, transaction history and related records remain available for consultation and audit purposes.

Can additional voucher sets be added after a carnet is returned?

No.

A carnet that has been returned can no longer be used operationally and cannot receive additional voucher sets. If further movements are anticipated, these should be addressed before the carnet reaches Returned status.

Related articles

• Which format of the carnet shall I use?
• What happens if my digital ATA Carnet or device is lost?
• Can I obtain additional voucher sets after my carnet has been issued? 
• Return a carnet