TIR – The Global Transit System Freeport, 8 May 2015 Umberto de Pretto Secretary General International Road Transport Union

Evolution of IRU Membership 1948: 8 Founding Member Countries 2015: present in over 100 countries

What does it take to have a cup of coffee in a café? What is globalisation? What does it take to have a cup of coffee in a café? The combined efforts of 29 companies in 18 countries Road transport has become a vital production tool! Source: IRU

Drivers often see adequate roads…but little traffic!

…until they reach border crossings!!

Pilot Caravans and NELTI results Lisbon-Vladivostok Beijing-Berlin-Brussels Black Sea Highway IRU-ECO Silk Road Up to 57% of transport time = border crossings 38% of transport costs = unofficial levies IRU has done several caravans in the past x years specifically focused on the Silk Road that show that …

Implement key UN & WCO facilitation instruments to allow transport to drive trade!

The System Managed by the IRU since 1949

Facilitating transit and border crossing procedures A global United Nations Customs transit and guarantee system that uses one simple, secure, mutually recognised procedure for door-to-door transport by road, sea and rail.

Geographical scope of the TIR Convention Based on TIR Convention of 1975

TIR complies with WCO Safe Framework requirements including AEO fulfilled by 

TIR Expansion Other countries have expressed interest in TIR April 2014 UAE Customs sign guarantee agreement April 2014 Pakistan officially confirms forthcoming accession to TIR January 2015 China officially starts TIR accession process Other countries have expressed interest in TIR Argentina Brazil Iraq Saudi Arabia Kenya

China speeds up TIR accession process 13 February 2015 China Customs officially approved TIR accession file: APPROVED 27 February 2015 Chinese Ministry of Transport: APPROVED 03 March 2015 Administration of Quality Inspection & Quarantine: APPROVED 06 March 2015 Ministry of Public Security: APPROVED 16 April 2015 Ministry of Foreign Affairs: APPROVED

The new Silk Roads call for Intermodality Strong leadership by China (Silk Road, Go West) Investments in infrastructure (highways and rail-road intermodal terminals) Problems linked to maritime transport (overcapacity, increasing waiting times in ports, etc) Development of trade between China and Central Asia Opportunities for road transport between China and Europe for: High value goods Perishable goods Refrigerated goods

TIR: “best practice” for intermodal transport facilitation in Latin American countries TIR as an example of best practice Case Study focused on Argentina, Brazil and Mexico

Findings of OE and OAS report TIR could boost exports by a total of US$9 billion per annum Border waiting times between LATAM countries could be reduced by 50% by simplifying and harmonizing customs formalities Port customs clearance and technical controls can average 2 days in Argentina, 3 days in Brazil and 2 days in Mexico compared to only 1 day in major EU countries using the TIR System

eTIR pilot: MoU signed with UNECE on 24 March 2015 IRU and UNECE finally agreed at high level and technical level to work together to achieve a concrete pilot project eTIR Pilot project: Will be a simplified version of the existing eTIR Reference Model It will be based on the infrastructure developed by Customs and IRU Leverage elements already computerized Rapidly launch (and at minimal cost) a paper-less TIR procedure between two pilot countries Constitute a first step towards the implementation of the full-fledged eTIR system (as per the objectives described in the eTIR Reference Model).

Ready to go live @IRU TIR Holder: Association: TIR Carnet holder: Order an eGuarantee online Association: Approve and issue the eGuarantee TIR Carnet holder: Pre-declare the transport and GO! Customs: Receive electronic advance cargo info for better risk management and more efficient operations

Green Lanes at Border Crossing Points

The IRU is committed to assisting all countries to implement key trade facilitation instruments to drive economic growth and prosperity