China Now Accepts ATA Carnets on Goods for Sport Purposes

Effective January 1, 2020

China now accepts ATA Carnets for the temporary import of goods for sport purposes.  According to a notification from the General Administration of Customs of China and the World Customs Organization (WCO), the expansion has been made under national law.  This expansion of China’s current policy is motivated by the upcoming Olympics in Beijing in February 2022, but the new acceptance policy for “sporting goods” is effective as of January 2020.    

“Announcement No. 193 of 2019 of the General Administration of Customs (Announcement on the Temporary Entry of ATA Carnets for Sports Goods):  ln order to support China's hosting of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics and other sports activities, according to the provisions of international conventions on temporary import of goods, the customs will accept temporary import ATA carnets for "sporting goods" from January 1, 2020. The ATA carnet can be used to go through the customs formalities for temporary entry for the necessary sporting goods for sports competitions, performances, and trainings.”

Since 2019, China has accepted all 3 intended uses for ATA Carnets: for Commercial Samples (CS), Professional Equipment (PE), and for Exhibitions and Fairs (EF).  EF is limited to 6 months or less from the date of entry and both CS and PE are accepted to stay up to the full validity period of the carnet (up to 12 months).

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) reported that World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) chair Ruedi Bolliger said, “This development comes at an opportune time, as they will host the Winter Olympics in 2022. The country’s acceptance of ATA Carnets will be much appreciated by athletes and all entities involved in sports business.”

Please contact a Carnet Specialist at the boomerang carnets® Carnet HelpLine® , (800) ATA-2900 / (800) 282-2900 or e-mail us for additional information if you are planning to use a carnet for travel to China.