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The Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized the online workshop in coordination with the Federation of Saudi Chambers, drawing more than 70 participants from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. Dr. Jihad Aytani and Tania Radwan from the Qatar Chamber delivered the sessions, which ran over two days and focused on the operational mechanics of the electronic temporary admission system. According to the Qatar Chamber, the program equipped Saudi officials with knowledge of carnet issuance, usage protocols and compliance requirements for cross-border movements.
Sheikha Tamador Al Thani, director of international relations and chambers affairs at the Qatar Chamber and secretary general of ICC Qatar, said the program comes within the framework of the Qatar Chamber’s interest in strengthening cooperation and coordination with the Union of Saudi Chambers and the chambers of the countries of the Cooperation Council and the concerned authorities, and supporting efforts to digital transformation and exchanging experiences with counterpart parties. The curriculum examined the conceptual framework of the e-ATA Carnet, procedures for temporary admission and re-export, and the distinct responsibilities of customs bodies and chambers of commerce. Practical case studies formed a central component, enabling participants to simulate full transaction cycles from initial issuance to final closure.
The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority began accepting ATA Carnets at all Saudi ports in June 2024 after the kingdom acceded to the Istanbul Convention on Temporary Admission, a ZATCA statement from that period confirmed. The Federation of Saudi Chambers functions as the approved guaranteeing and issuing association for the documents, allowing businesses to secure duty-free entry for exhibition materials, commercial samples and professional equipment without posting separate financial guarantees. ZATCA guidelines limit initial temporary admissions under the system to periods not exceeding 180 days, provided the carnet remains valid for the full duration.
Qatar Chamber has issued ATA Carnets as the national guaranteeing body since the system’s introduction in the country, according to ICC Qatar records that outline its role in facilitating duty-free temporary trade across member territories. The electronic variant builds on the traditional paper carnet by enabling faster digital processing and reduced paperwork at borders, a development that supports wider GCC initiatives for trade facilitation. Training sessions between Qatari and Saudi counterparts help ensure consistent application of the unified international framework.
More than 100 countries participate in the ATA Carnet network, which serves as an international customs passport for goods and eliminates repetitive declarations during temporary stays of up to one year, according to established convention documentation. Saudi authorities require mandatory pre-approval of all incoming carnets through an online ZATCA portal, with submissions including copies of the carnet cover and goods list to accelerate clearance while maintaining regulatory control. The Federation of Saudi Chambers may designate sub-chambers to issue documents locally, broadening access for enterprises involved in regional events and exhibitions.
Participants in this week’s program gained hands-on familiarity with every phase of carnet management, including tracking mechanisms and transaction reconciliation, the Qatar Chamber reported. Similar collaborative workshops have formed part of ongoing efforts to harmonise digital customs practices between the two countries since Saudi Arabia’s 2024 entry into the system. The Qatar Chamber has previously conducted introductory seminars on ATA procedures to prepare local businesses and officials for expanded regional use.
