Digital 'eATA carnet' system rolled out to ease cross-Channel horse travel

Since the UK left the EU, moving competition horses across the Channel for shows has required an ATA carnet, a temporary import document that until recently existed only on paper. From 1 June 2026, the UK joined 30 other countries, including EU member states, Norway and Sweden, in accepting a digital version of the document, the eATA carnet, with the full global rollout due to complete by the end of 2027.

The change matters for horse welfare because delays at border control posts have been a recurring problem since Brexit, with riders and transport companies reporting horses held for extended periods while paperwork is checked. The British Horse Council has said it supports the move to digital documentation specifically where it "underpins horse wellbeing" and minimises travel delays, and is pressing for digital identification to become the primary way horses are tracked across borders in future.

The switchover is not yet seamless. Transport professionals have described inconsistent scanning practices between ports, patchy phone signal at customs checkpoints, and a continuing reliance on paper back-up carnets while confidence in the new system builds. Owners and competitors planning to take horses to Europe should expect a mixed digital-and-paper process for some time yet, and are advised to check current requirements with their transport provider or governing body before travelling.