Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
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1.6 The Convention on International Transport TIR
The first door-to-door CTR is International Road Transport (TIR from its name in French –
Transports Internationaux Routiers) that was established inWestern Europe in the early 1950s.
The main goal of this regime is to facilitate transit procedures through simplified customs
procedures using document issued once for all transit Border Crossing Points (BCPs) and
covering security measures as a guarantee for the entire transit route. The system also enables
the advance exchange of information and feedback between all participants in the process. In
such a way, the TIR enable cost-effectiveness, time savings, and secure transit of goods under
customs control. In addition, the modern TIR regime is truly intermodal – the documents cover
all modes of transport, as long as there is at least one leg completed by road.
In recent years, the International Road Transport Union (IRU), which operates the system, has
taken steps to promote the TIR system worldwide. China, India, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates
(UAE), United States of America (USA), Canada, Saudi Arabia, Oman are all members now, and
the number is growing on all continents. As the territory covered expands and becomes
contiguous, the practical value and implementation efficiency are improved.
Another strategic direction is to move toward electronic and safe TIR carnets, which goes in line
with the e-Customs programs and trade facilitation developments worldwide. This way, the TIR
carnets ensure their future development and relevance, especially in countries outside the
European Union, where they remain the only multilateral, intermodal transit system.
TIR Operations - The TIR system is based on single harmonized manifest, or TIR carnets issued
in the country of origin that are used at all BCP as a transit document. In such a way, the TIR
eliminate duplication of procedures related to issuing new transit document at each BCP and
new guarantee for security under customs control. The TIR transit system is built on five main
pillars:
 Goods travel in approved means of transports - with Approval certificate, (model in
Annex 4 of TIR Convention, except transport of heavy or bulky goods) or containers -
with Approval plate (model is in Annex 7 Part II of TIR Convention, except transport of
heavy or bulky goods) under customs seal (except transport of heavy or bulky goods –
Article 29 – 32 of TIR Convention);
 Throughout the TIR transport, duties and taxes due on the goods are suspended and
secured by a chain of internationally valid guarantees provided by TIR Carnet. Each
country sets its guarantee limit but the recommended maximum amount to be claimed
from each national association in the event of an irregularity is an amount payable at a
maximum of 50,000 USD dollars for normal carnets and 200,000 USD dollars for excise
goods (tobacco, alcohol, etc.);