Ten
Countries Added to ATA Carnet List
Ten Countries Added to ATA Carnet List
The Department of Customs Administration,
Ministry of Finance recently added 10 names to the list of countries eligible
for ATA Carnet treatment in Taiwan: Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria,
Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Cyprus. Companies
can now apply to use the new customs procedure for rapid tariff-free clearance
of goods from those countries.
Taiwan has been negotiating bilateral ATA Carnet
agreements with major trading partners since 1983 to internationalize customs
operations, promote international trade, and develop relations with other
countries. So far, agreements have been signed with 15 countries and areas
including the European Union, the United States, and Canada. The agreement
with the EU was signed in 1991, and it applies equally to countries that have
joined the European grouping since that time. Since EU¡¦s Eastward
Enlargement in 1993, international business chambers and the Taiwan External
Trade Development Council have started negotiating with new EU members on
issues related to ATA Carnet agreements. Customs statistics show that the
total value of goods imported and exported under ATA Carnet provisions up to
the first quarter of this year was NT$161.0 billion, of which European Union
goods accounted for about NT$47.0 billion, or 30% of the total.
The ¡§Regulations for the Temporary Admission
of Goods¡¨ allow for the temporary, tariff-free import of the following goods
from countries with which Taiwan has signed ATA Carnet treaties or agreements:
1. specialized equipment; 2. goods for display or use in exhibitions,
international trade fairs, conferences, or similar activities; and 3.
commercial samples imported for display or demonstration for the purpose of
promoting business. However, these goods do not include tobacco products and
alcoholic beverages, goods that are easily perishable or are consumed with
use, goods that are not intended to be re-exported, goods the import and
export of which is controlled in Taiwan, and goods that are exported or
imported for processing or repair. The Carnet document is valid for one year,
and goods that are re-exported or re-imported during its validity are exempt
from customs duties and taxes.
With the exception of Poland and Malta, all of
the EU countries have completed preparations and printed the new forms so that
Carnet privileges can be exercised immediately. For more details on the ATA
Carnet arrangements, please visit the website of the Taiwan External Trade
Development Council (TAITRA) website: www.taitra.com.tw/index_ch.asp.
Countries Having Operating ATA Carnet Agreements with Taiwan
|
Region
|
Countries
|
|
Asia
|
Singapore, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia
|
|
North America
|
Canada, the United States, El Salvador
|
|
Oceania
|
New Zealand, Australia
|
|
European Union
|
The United Kingdom, Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg,
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Sweden, Finland,
Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia,
Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus
|
|
Other Europe
|
Switzerland, Norway
|
|
Middle East and Africa
|
South Africa, Israel
|
¡¯ Agreement
signed but not inaugurated: Poland and Malta
¡¯ Under
negotiation: Vietnam, Indonesia, India
Source: Department of Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
¡@
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