At Lapse Productions, every international shoot starts with the same customs document: the ATA Carnet, a passport for goods that lets you take camera and film equipment into more than 80 countries temporarily without paying import duties or taxes. In Canada, carnets are issued exclusively by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Processing fees run from $185 to $570 depending on the value of your gear, you post a security deposit of 40% of that value, and the document stays valid for one year across multiple trips. This guide covers what a carnet is, what it costs in 2026, how to apply, and exactly what to do at each border crossing.
The short answer
- An ATA Carnet lets you temporarily import production gear into 80+ countries, duty free and tax free.
- In Canada, only the Canadian Chamber of Commerce issues carnets. Each carnet is valid for one year.
- 2026 processing fees: $185 to $570 for non-members, plus a refundable security deposit of 40% of your equipment’s declared value.
- You apply online through the Chamber, and digital eATA Carnets are now available.
What is an ATA Carnet?
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document, often called a passport for goods, that allows you to temporarily import goods into more than 80 countries without paying duties or taxes. ATA stands for Admission Temporaire, or Temporary Admission. The system is administered by the World Customs Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce, and in Canada the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been the exclusive issuer since 1972.
Why do you need a carnet for camera equipment?
- Your gear clears customs instead of getting held. Professional equipment crossing a border has to be declared. Without a carnet, customs can hold or seize your kit, and a seized camera package can sink a shoot schedule.
- You keep your money. Without a carnet, many countries make you pay duties and taxes on the spot, or post a deposit at every border you cross. One carnet replaces all of that.
- One document covers the whole trip. A single carnet works across multiple countries and multiple trips within its one-year validity, with the same equipment list travelling on each leg.
What can you carry on a carnet?
- Professional equipment (PE): cinema cameras, lenses, lighting, audio kits, drones, monitors, and grip. This is the category most video production work falls under.
- Commercial samples (CS): product samples you are showing to buyers abroad.
- Exhibition and fair goods (EF): displays, monitors, and sound systems for trade shows and exhibitions.
Not eligible: consumable or disposable items (tape, gels, expendables), and goods intended for sale, lease, processing, or repair. Those need regular import paperwork.
How much does an ATA Carnet cost in Canada in 2026?
The processing fee is based on the total declared value of the goods on your carnet. These are the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s current fees:
| Value of goods (CAD) | Non-member fee | Chamber member fee |
|---|---|---|
| $1 to $4,999 | $185 | $145 |
| $5,000 to $9,999 | $240 | $185 |
| $10,000 to $19,999 | $325 | $260 |
| $20,000 to $49,999 | $410 | $340 |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | $450 | $380 |
| $100,000 to $249,999 | $490 | $415 |
| $250,000 to $499,999 | $525 | $460 |
| $500,000 and up | $570 | $505 |
On top of the processing fee, you post a security deposit of 40% of your equipment’s declared value. A $50,000 camera package means $20,000 in security. You can post it as cash, certified cheque, or letter of credit, or use a surety bond through the Chamber’s bond partners so you do not tie up cash. The deposit is returned once the carnet comes back fully validated with no claims.
The basic fee includes up to four round trips. Additional trips cost $40 per set of four. Expedited processing is available: one business day adds 50% to the basic fee, three business days adds 40% (members pay 40% and 30%).
How do you apply for an ATA Carnet?
- Build your equipment list. Every item with description, serial number, weight, country of origin, and value. This list becomes the carnet’s general list, and it has to match what crosses the border.
- Apply online. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce runs an online application portal, and now issues digital eATA Carnets alongside the paper booklet.
- Post your security. Cash, certified cheque, letter of credit, or a surety bond arranged through the Chamber’s partners.
- Leave lead time. Standard processing takes roughly five to ten business days. Paid one-day and three-day expedited options exist, but do not plan a shoot around them.
How do you use a carnet at the border?
A carnet only protects you if customs validates it at every stage. The booklet is colour coded, and each crossing uses a specific voucher:
| Stage | Voucher | Validated by |
|---|---|---|
| Before your first trip | Green cover | You sign it, Canadian customs validates it |
| Leaving Canada | Yellow exportation | Canadian customs |
| Entering the foreign country | White importation | Foreign customs |
| Leaving the foreign country | White re-exportation | Foreign customs |
| Returning to Canada | Yellow re-importation | Canadian customs |
- Present the carnet at every crossing, in both directions. A missed stamp is the most common cause of claims.
- You do not have to travel with the gear yourself. An authorized representative or freight forwarder can clear it.
- Complete sections A to F of the voucher before you reach the counter. It keeps the line moving.
What happens if you skip the carnet?
You pay for it at the border instead. Countries can charge duties and taxes on your full equipment value on the spot, require a deposit at each entry, or hold the gear until paperwork clears. Canada’s own alternative, the temporary admission permit, only covers goods entering Canada, so it does nothing for you abroad. For any shoot with real equipment value crossing a border, the carnet is the cheaper and faster route.
Planning an international shoot?
Carnets are one piece of the logistics. Lapse Productions handles the full production behind them: crewing, gear, schedules, and delivery, whether it’s event video production abroad or any of our video production services. Tell us about the project and we will map out the logistics with you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an ATA Carnet cost in Canada?
Processing fees range from $185 to $570 for non-members in 2026, based on the declared value of your goods. Canadian Chamber of Commerce members pay $145 to $505. On top of the fee, you post a refundable security deposit of 40% of your equipment’s declared value.
How long is an ATA Carnet valid?
An ATA Carnet is valid for one year from the date of issue and cannot be extended. The basic fee covers up to four round trips, and you can add more trips for $40 per set of four. Plan the carnet around your production calendar, not the other way around.
Do ATA Carnets work for the United States?
Yes. The United States accepts ATA Carnets for professional equipment, including camera, lighting, and audio gear. For crews crossing often, a carnet replaces posting a temporary import bond at each entry and speeds up clearance at busy ports of entry.
What happens if your equipment does not return to Canada?
If gear listed on the carnet stays abroad, is sold, or is lost, foreign customs can claim the duties and taxes owed. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce pays the claim from your security, and handling fees apply on top. Report lost or stolen gear to the Chamber immediately.
Is there a digital ATA Carnet?
Yes. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce now issues eATA Carnets, a digital version of the paper booklet, managed through its online portal. Before relying on the digital format alone, confirm that every country on your itinerary accepts eATA Carnets.
About the author
Dario Nouri is a Producer and Co-Founder of Lapse Productions, a Toronto video production company creating results-based content since 2014. He also hosts Creatives Grab Coffee, a podcast on the business of video production.
Sources: Canadian Chamber of Commerce, ATA Carnet program and Carnet Fees (accessed August 2026); Canada Border Services Agency, Temporary Imports. Fee figures are the Chamber’s published rates and can change; confirm current fees before you apply.