Your company is heading to a trade show in Chicago, filming a project in Paris, or demonstrating a prototype to a client in Germany. The equipment leaves Canada, crosses one or more borders, and then returns. Technically, each crossing counts as an import: duties, taxes, security deposits. Unless you have a ATA Carnet.

It is the least well-known yet most cost-effective document in Canadian international trade. It replaces the temporary import formalities of dozens of countries with a single booklet, issued once and valid for one year. For an SME that attends three trade shows a year, it transforms thousands of dollars in tied-up deposits into just a few hundred dollars in fixed costs.

Here's how it works in practice, how much it will cost in 2026, and the three mistakes that turn a logbook into a customs invoice.

The ATA Carnet, in a nutshell

The ATA Carnet is a «passport for goods»: an international customs document that allows goods to be temporarily imported into a member country without paying any duties or taxes, provided that the goods are returned in the same condition. In Canada, it is issued by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, which acts as a guarantor with foreign customs authorities.

It is recognized in more than 80 countries and territories, including the United States, Mexico, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and India. Its validity period is 12 months, with as many round trips as you want during that period.

The three eligible categories

• Commercial Samples : products presented to buyers, prototypes, collection samples.
• Professional Equipment : cameras, lighting, measuring instruments, service tools, stage equipment, computer equipment.
• Goods intended for an exhibition or trade show : booths, displays, banners, products on display.

What the policy does not cover

This is where most rejections occur. The ATA Carnet excludes:

• the goods intended for sale or to be left on site;
• the assets consumables : brochures, promotional gifts, food, and samples handed out;
• perishable goods and agricultural products;
• shipped goods by mail;
• goods that will be processed, repaired, or modified abroad.

If your crate contains 40 kg of equipment and 2,000 flyers, the equipment is transported under a customs manifest, and the flyers are subject to a standard declaration.

How much will an ATA Carnet cost in 2026?

The processing fees charged by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce are calculated based on the total value of the goods listed, rather than based on the number of countries visited. Members of a chamber of commerce pay a reduced rate.

In addition, depending on the circumstances:

• Additional Trips : The first four round trips are included; after that, approximately 40 $ per block of four trips.
• Expedited Service : a surcharge of approximately 30 to 40 % on the base rate for issuance within three business days, and 40 to 50 % for issuance within one business day.
• Messaging : Approximately 30 $ for 24-hour delivery, or your own email account.
• Claim Processing Fees, if a foreign customs authority claims duties: 25 $ for a claim of less than 100 $, up to 2.5 % of the amount paid (capped at 3,000 $) for claims exceeding 10,000 $.

These amounts are for reference only and may vary depending on the current rate schedule and your membership status. Always check with the issuer before budgeting.

Financial Guarantees: The True Hidden Cost

Processing fees are only half the story. The issuer also requires a financial guarantee — insurance bond, letter of credit, or cash deposit — calculated as a percentage of the declared value of the goods. The percentage varies depending on the countries visited: certain destinations with high duty rates require a significantly higher security deposit.

For an SME, an insurance bond is almost always less expensive than a cash deposit: the premium represents a small fraction of the insured amount, whereas the deposit ties up the entire amount for the entire period during which a claim could still be filed.

ATA Carnet or Alternatives

The switch happens quickly. For 60,000 $ units of video equipment and three trade shows in three different countries, the process costs a few hundred dollars in fixed fees. The same operation using national temporary import permits involves coordinating three deposits, three brokerage files, and three customs clearances.

The Three Mistakes That Cost a Lot

1. Do not have the booklet stamped

This is by far the most common reason for complaints. The logbook must be presented and stamped each time it passes through : Departure from Canada, entry into a foreign country, departure from a foreign country, return to Canada. If this step is omitted during reimportation, foreign customs authorities will assume the goods remained there—and thus were permanently imported. They will then demand duties and taxes on the full value, plus penalties, and the guarantor will pay and then seek reimbursement from you.

Tip: Always allow time to go through customs before checking in, and take a photo of each stamped page.

2. A vague general list

The general list is the inventory attached to the logbook. Each item must be listed there along with its description, quantity, weight, value, and, if applicable, its serial number. Customs officers verify the serial numbers. An item not listed is not covered; an item that is listed but missing upon return triggers a partial claim.

You can't add items after the show airs: the list is final. Plan generously from the start—it costs nothing to include an item you end up not taking, but forgetting it can be costly.

3. A last-minute deadline

Allow a few business days for standard processing. Expedited service is available, but it adds 30 to 50 % to the fee. And if the guarantee requires an insurance deposit, the insurer will also need time to process it. Submit your application at least two weeks before departure.

Prepare for the shipment, not just the paperwork

A perfect delivery log is useless if the shipment arrives damaged or late. Here are a few tips:

• Pack by case, not in bulk : Each crate corresponds to a block in the general list, which speeds up the physical inspection.
• Be mindful of volumetric weight : Rigid equipment crates are bulky and lightweight. The carrier charges based on the greater of the actual weight or the volumetric weight, and additional handling surcharges apply as soon as any dimension exceeds the standard thresholds.
• Declare the actual value For cargo insurance, which is separate from the coverage provided by the Carnet: the Carnet covers customs duties, but not loss or damage.
• Plan your return trip Starting with the outbound shipment: same carrier, same box configuration, return labels prepared.

In a nutshell

The ATA Carnet is one of the few customs tools where the math is simple: a few hundred dollars in fixed fees versus thousands of dollars in duties, taxes, and tied-up deposits. It pays for itself after just the second border crossing and becomes indispensable as soon as valuable equipment is moved across more than one country.

The tricky part isn't the document—it's the process: a comprehensive general list, stamping without holes, and a shipping plan that takes dimensions and surcharges into account.

At Shipping Store, we assist Canadian small and medium-sized businesses with the transportation aspect of these shipments: selecting a service, packing crates, preparing accompanying documentation, arranging insurance, and coordinating returns. Request an assessment of your next temporary shipment and leave with a complete file, not just a notebook.