Edited by Lorenzo Ontano, Marta Marrapodi and Federica Stranieri
With the Circular Letter No. 14 dated May 27, 2026, the Italian Customs Authorities officially announced the launch of the eATA system, the ATA Carnet in digital format, effective from June 1, 2026.
From that date, the European Union, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom will adopt the eATA system. However, the full digitalization process should be completed by the end of 2027, with the remaining contracting parties to the ATA Convention progressively joining and gradually adopting the digital ATA Carnet over the period from the second quarter of 2026 to the fourth quarter of 2027.
The digital procedure introduces significant simplifications for economic operators, who will be able to apply for the ATA Carnet online through the national systems (NICS) and save it in their digital wallet, via both App and Desktop.
Since the digital ATA Carnet will be usable from June 1, 2026, only in certain countries, a transitional period is envisaged, extending until the end of 2027. During this phase, the Italian Chambers of Commerce will issue both the digital and the paper carnet, to allow the use of the document also to countries not yet aligned with the new system.
ATA Carnet issued before June 1, 2026, will remain valid and will be handled using the usual paper-based procedures until their expiry, while the new digital format will apply exclusively to carnet issued from that date onwards.
Finally, if a replacing carnet is issued to substitute a paper one after June 1, 2026, it may also be issued in digital format.
Let’s Talk
For a deeper discussion: