The United Arab Emirates joins the Digital ATA Carnet system today, 9 November 2026, becoming the first country outside Europe to implement the new digital process.
The change is particularly relevant for UK businesses temporarily taking goods to the UAE for exhibitions, trade fairs, professional equipment, commercial samples and other eligible temporary-use purposes.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) now lists the UAE as a live Digital ATA Carnet country alongside the UK, EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland. (iccwbo.org)
What has changed?
From today, UK-issued ATA Carnets being used for UAE movements should be prepared for digital processing.
Under the Digital ATA Carnet system, holders and authorised representatives can manage Carnet movements electronically through the ATA Carnet App or Desktop application.
Before travelling, the appropriate Travel should be prepared and signed. At Customs, the relevant QR code is presented so that the Customs authority can process and record the transaction digitally.
Businesses should continue to check that the relevant Customs transaction has been successfully recorded before leaving the Customs point.
The UAE authorities confirmed that the national rollout followed technical coordination, training and pre-production testing involving UAE Customs authorities, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and the ICC. (wam.ae)
What does this mean for TVCC Carnet holders?
Also from 9 November 2026, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce (TVCC) will no longer routinely issue a paper backup Carnet where an itinerary consists entirely of countries operating the Digital ATA Carnet system.
For a UK-to-UAE journey involving only digital countries, businesses should therefore be prepared to use the digital process.
Where an itinerary also includes a country that has not yet transitioned to digital processing, paper documentation will continue to be issued where required. These journeys may therefore operate using a combination of digital and paper Carnet processes.
This reflects the ICC’s transition arrangements, under which the format required depends on the digital readiness of each country or Customs territory included in the itinerary. (iccwbo.org)
Additional advice for UAE air and sea movements
Official Chamber guidance published ahead of today’s rollout advises businesses moving goods by air or sea freight to carry a printed copy of the relevant transaction QR code as a backup.
This may be useful where the Customs office processing the Carnet is located in an area that is not directly accessible to the traveller or representative. (atacarnet.fi)
This should currently be treated as practical route-specific advice rather than a confirmed UAE-wide statutory requirement.
Businesses should ensure that their freight forwarder, driver, agent or other representative has the correct QR information and any necessary Letter of Authorisation or Power of Attorney before the goods move.
Further changes are expected
The Digital ATA Carnet rollout remains an ongoing international programme. ICC currently expects ATA Carnet procedures to become fully digital worldwide by 1 January 2028, with Moldova scheduled to activate on 1 January 2027 and Serbia on 1 February 2027. (iccwbo.org)
Businesses using ATA Carnets should continue checking the requirements for every country and route before travelling.
For advice on an upcoming Carnet journey, including digital, paper or mixed itineraries, contact the Chamber Carnet team at carnet@tvchamber.co.uk.
