Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
18
(UNECE, 1982), the International Customs Convention International Road Transports11 (TIR,
1975), the UNECE Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road12
(CMR Convention, 1956, as amended) and the International Maritime Organization Convention
(IMO) on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) Convention (1967). It is also
important to note the enabling role of the UN conventions on registration and technical
standards for road vehicles, as well those related to specific types of cargo, such as, for example:
the dangerous goods (ADR Agreement, 1957, as amended), perishable/refrigerated goods (ATP
Convention, 1970, as amended), and the goods to which food safety and animal and plant health
checks apply (the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures –
SPS Agreement, 1995, as amended).
1.5.1 International agreements, standards, recommendations, and handbooks
related to CTR
World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The WTO TFA (WTO,
2013), which entered into force on 22 February 2017 following its ratification by two-thirds of
the WTO membership-TFAF, 201813. Article 11 (2017): Freedom of transit, Paragraphs 1 – 17
is regulating the circumstances or objectives of freedom of CTR and disguised restriction on
traffic in CTR. The agreement also makes specific reference to the exchange of information and
data between Customs administrations. WTO TFA Article 12.2 states (WTO, 2013): “ Members
shall exchange the information set out in subparagraphs 6.1(b) and/or (c) for the purpose of
verifying an import or export declaration…” (WTO, 2017).
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT 1947) have provisions related to
freedom of transit of goods, vessels and other means of transport across the territory of each
contracting party via the routes most convenient for international transit.
1.5.2 International Conventions Related to CTR
World Customs Organization - Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). RKC was adopted in 1999
and entered in force in 2006. Specific Annex E, Chapter 1- Customs CTR, and Chapter 2 – Trans-
shipment defines the standards and recommended practices in CTR and transshipment
procedures. The RKC General Annex – Chapter 6: Guidelines on Customs Control - Exchange of
information (Standards 6.7 and 7.4) directs Customs to: “exchange and share information on
international movements with other Customs administrations for Customs control purposes.”
(WCO, 2010).
11 Transports Internationaux Routiers
12 Convention Relative au Contrat de Transport International de Marchandises par la Route
13