Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 1 LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL TIR SYSTEM United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Transport Division Border Crossing Facilitation Section

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 2 TIR REVISION PROCESS Background Phase I (entry into force 17 February 1999) Phase II (entry into force 12 May 2002) Phase III under discussion

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 3 Phase I Controlled access to the TIR system for national associations for transport operators Establishment of an inter-governmental supervisory body, the TIR Executive Board (TIRExB) Transparency in the functioning of the international guarantee system

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 4 Phase II Distinction between “TIR transport” and “TIR operation” (Article 1 (a) and 1 (b)) and between “termination of a TIR operation” and “discharge of a TIR operation”(Article 1 (d) and (e)) Definition of the holder of a TIR Carnet (Article 1 (o)) Definition of responsibilities of the international organization (Article 6.2bis)

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 5 Phase III To allow for the introduction of modern information management and control technologies Revision of the TIR Carnet (ID number, HS code, value of goods) Possible increase in the number of places for loading and unloading under Customs seal eTIR Project

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 6 eTIR Project Elementary discussion: Since 2002: “Informal ad hoc Expert Group on Conceptual and Technical Aspects of Computerization of the TIR Procedure (GE.1)” Work based on UMM eTIR Reference Model Chapter 1: Description of current system Chapter 2: Design of future system Chapter 3: Analysis

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 7 eTIR Project (continued) Customs: Customs to Customs system based on the secure exchange of data under Customs supervision Via a centralized, international database Industry: Development of eTIR Project around the tools developed by the industry

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 8 New Public Private Partnership National PublicPrivate International Holder National Association International organization Customs eTIR International system Guarantee Chain : Guarantee info Declaration (definition of standard messages) Guarantee info Transport, operations & Guarantee info Out of scope ITDB Out of scope Holder info Transport & operations info

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 9 Opportunities For all stakeholders –Increased security –Reduced administrative burdens –Faster circulation of information Upcoming challenges –Finalize the Reference Model (conceptual) –Revise the TIR Convention (legal) –Develop the required systems (technical)

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 10 Amendments since 2006 Amendment 26 Introduction of TIR Carnet holder Identification Number on the TIR Carnet (1 April 2006) Amendment 27 Introduction of new Annex 10 establishing a control system for TIR Carnets (12 August 2006)

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 11 Amendments since 2006 (continued) Amendment 28 Introduction of new description and procedure on the financing of the TIR Executive Board and TIR secretariat in Annex 8, Article 13 of the Convention (1 January 2009)

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 12 Comments, resolutions, recommendations and best practices Comments: non-binding opinion by WP.30 and TIR Administrative Committee reflecting interpretation, harmonization and application of the TIR Convention; Resolutions: only binding for accepting Contracting Parties; Recommendation: non-binding commitment by Contracting Parties Best practices: facilitation tool to improve the harmonized application at national level, in particular for newly acceded countries

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 13 Latest comments To Article 3: TIR procedure and postal items To Article 4: Relief from payment or additional security To Article 15: Customs treatment of tractor units To Article 23: Escort of road vehicles

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 14 Best practices Procedure for the termination and discharge of a TIR operation Inquiry procedure List of documents to substantiate claims for non- discharge Information and documentation, other than the TIR Carnet, which Customs may require Recommendations for improving the communication between Customs and national associations Application of Articles 38, 39, 40, Annex 9, Part II Use of the TIR Carnet

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 15 Latest recommendation On the use of the HS code (31 January 2008) Recommending TIR Carnet holders to indicate the HS code under box 10 of the goods manifest on the yellow page Absence of HS code shall not lead to delays or infringements

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 16 Forthcoming amendments 1 October 2009: Introduction of new Explanatory Note 0.3 (a) (iii) on the transport of passenger cars under TIR 1 January 2010: Amendment of Explanatory Note 0.8.3: 50,000 US$ replaced by 60,000 euros

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 17 Further developments, under discussion Amendments to Articles 8-11 of the Convention, clarifying the liability of the association and procedures to claim payment Amendment of Annex 9, Part I Introduction of new Annex 9, Part III

Tunis 3-4 June 2009 Regional TIR seminar 18 UNECE TIR SECRETARIAT Transport Division 8-14, Avenue de Paix CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Phone: Fax: address: