Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
65
TIM system allows traceability to the means of transport from the country of export to its final
destination and in transit (en route).
Under TIM system, instead of repetitive paper-based procedures initiated at the border, traders
(at the point of export) can complete a single electronic document (DUT for its name in Spanish
–Declaracio Unica de Transito) at their nearest Customs office and start the transit procedure.
At the BCPs, controls are now carried out by scanning the bar code of the DUT, which shows all
the relevant information on the consignment in the system, thus not requiring the presentation
of multiple (paper-based) documents. More specifically, consignment in transit is now
processed under the logic of a Single Window, whereby the transit carriers interact
instantaneously, simultaneously and in the same place with all Border Agencies (Customs,
migration, and OGAs) without using printed copies of documents. This new process significantly
expedites border crossing time and reduces the costs, not only directly but also indirectly by
allowing for a substantial reduction in congestion at these entry/exit points67. Furthermore, the
TIM system allows traders and transport companies to monitor the movements of the
consignment and means of transport through web-based application in real-time.
Under the authorized transit, the information provided in the "Declaration," may be presented
to the Customs of border crossing and of destination electronically, on magnetic media, as
authorized by the Customs. For the purposes of customs control, the Customs office of entry
shall establish the deadline and shall indicate the route that the carrier must follow during the
International Customs Transit operation in its territory.
67 Sarmiento et al., 2010