use made of them. Economic prohibitions or restrictions at importation are not applied since they generally relate to goods cleared for home use, thus serving as a national protection measure. Recent developments In recent years the International Chamber of Commerce has been studying the possibility to digitize the ATA Carnet. A pilot project to test the digital ATA Carnet is currently undergoing. The first ever transaction on a digital carnet was processed on 20 October 2019 at Zurich Airport, Switzerland. Administration In every country in the ATA Chain, a guaranteeing association (NGA) – approved by its respective Customs and the ICC World Chambers Federation – administers the operation of the ATA Carnet System. The role of a national guaranteeing associations is to guarantee to its Customs administration the payment of duties and taxes due when ATA Carnets have been misused on its territory (non-or late re-exportation of goods, for instance). The national guaranteeing organisation can also, with the prior consent of its Customs administration, authorise local chambers to deliver ATA Carnets on its behalf. In major trading nations, dozens of local chambers have that authority. Within ICC World Chambers Federation, a World ATA Carnet Council (WATAC) gathers the national guaranteeing organisations from all countries where the ATA Carnet is in force today. In short: Holders can use ATA Carnets as Customs declarations and guarantee National Customs authorities through which the goods are admitted into are allowed to claim Customs duties and taxes against NGAs within one year after the expiration of ATA Carnets National Guaranteeing Associations act as a chain to guarantee Customs duties/taxes plus 10% penalty The World Customs Organization (WCO) monitors the international Conventions that govern the ATA system. The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), through its special department, the World Chambers Federation (WCF), organizes the internal procedures and administrates the members of the guarantee chain. Member countries of the ATA Carnet guarantee scheme Updated 31 May 2019 In the early 1960s, the ATA Carnet was in use in Ivory Coast, France, Yugoslavia, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia. In 1982 there were 36 countries. Today, the ATA Carnet guarantee scheme is in force in 78 countries and territories. Beside the 27 member states of the European Union and member states of the European Free Trade Association, the ATA Carnet is officially in force in Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Hong Kong