Motorsport vehicles will need ‘passport’ to go to Europe, says ACU

Anyone wishing to take their competition motocross, trials or enduro bike into Europe will need an ATA Carnet, according to the ACU.

In a statement released today, the sport’s governing body has stated it believes that anyone temporarily taking their bike into Europe will have to have the temporary passport.

The statement reads:

Following advice, The Auto-Cycle Union understands that an ATA Carnet will be required to temporarily move motorsport vehicles and equipment across to the border. An ATA Carnet is an international Customs document that operates like a passport for your goods. It allows the temporary importation of goods into countries that are part of the ATA Carnet system (the EU and 40+ additional countries) and avoids you having to pay unnecessary taxes or duties.

ATA Carnets cover all goods that are leaving the UK and returning within a 12-month period. They do not cover disposable goods (oil, fluids) that will be used while out of the country or items that will not be returning to the UK.

The ATA Carnet simplifies the customs procedure into a single document and makes the importation process much quicker and easier to handle. To avoid unnecessary border delays and customs checks the carnet should be acquired in advance of travel.

There are two parts to the carnet:

1. The processing/arrangement fee of the paperwork (VATable)
2. The premium (non-VATable)

The Auto-Cycle Union has secured a special deal with the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) for ACU members of a fixed price processing/arrangement fee of £240+VAT. This is discounted from the standard fee of £330+VAT that non-members of the GBCC would pay.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is appointed as part of a network of Chambers around the country to issue ATA Carnets.

The second part of the fee is the Premium. This can either be a refundable deposit of 40% of the vehicle’s value or a non-refundable insurance premium to cover the 40% proportion of the premium.

Applying for ATA Carnets:

Carnets are applied for through an electronic portal called ‘E-cert’ and processed and posted out next day delivery or made ready for same day collection.

A walkthrough of the process and further information for Auto-Cycle Union members is available here

Please do not call The ACU with any ATA Carnet enquiries, but Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Carnet Specialist, Jonathan Crosbie, can be contacted by Auto-Cycle Union members on 0121 274 3217.

GBCC also offer an express ATA Carnet service for Auto-Cycle Union members for a £35+VAT premium (normally £75+VAT), and if all the information is available and correct an express Carnet can be turned around in as little as one hour (Monday-Friday 0800-1600).

To access the Auto-Cycle Union ATA Carnet discount with Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, please reference your 2021 ACU Club Affiliation Code and the name in which it is registered when applying.