Motorsport UK, the national membership organisation and governing body for British motorsport, has outlined a new impact of Brexit.
For those competing in races in Europe, taking cars and equipment to the continent will require the use of an ATA Carnet.Â
This is likely to add an extra degree of administrative and financial pressure to those competing abroad in motorsport.
What is an ATA Carnet?
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document, typically described as being ‘a passport for goods’. It allows for goods to be temporarily imported to another country, removing the need to pay import duties and taxes unnecessarily.
The ATA Carnet also acts as a guarantee for customs agents. A failure to take cars and equipment back to their country of origin within 12 months results in duties being levied.
According to advice taken by Motorsport UK, the post-Brexit agreement made between the UK and EU means race teams taking cars or equipment to Europe will need to make use of an ATA Carnet.
More money to be paid upfront
Motorsport teams will have to apply for an ATA Carnet in advance. This will need to list all cars and equipment that would be taken to a European event.
Applying for the ATA Carnet, administered by the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, costs £330+ VAT. However, Motorsport UK members are able to pay a reduced rate of £240+ VAT.
A security premium is also needed to cover the cars and equipment being taken to Europe. This would be forfeited should all items not be taken back to the UK as intended.
The premium can take the form of a refundable deposit, calculated as 40 percent of the items being moved abroad. Alternatively, a non-refundable insurance premium can be bought.
Motorsport could be staying at home, too
Applying for an ATA Carnet can be done online. But, the documents themselves need to be physically checked and stamped at both borders by customs officials.
Failing to get the ATA Carnet stamped properly could see cars and equipment not allowed into a new country. Alternatively, taxes and duties could end up being levied on them.
Given that European rounds for some UK-based championships have been reduced for 2021, some motorsport teams may be spared the extra complexities of the ATA Carnet.
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