UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Economic Commission for Europe Beijing, September 2005 Sub-regional Seminar on Facilitation of International Road Transport under the TIR system Working and Legal aspects of the TIR Convention: Accession to the TIR Convention Responsibility of Governments

UNECE Sub-regional Seminar on Facilitation of International Road Transit Transport under the TIR system, Beijing, September Deposit of instrument of accession with the UN Secretary General – UN Template ( m) m No reservations, except to Art. 57 of the Convention – UN Template ( m) m Declarations Entry into force: 6 months after accession, objections not possible Operational start: After training and approval by the international guarantee chain ACCESSION PROCEDURE

UNECE Sub-regional Seminar on Facilitation of International Road Transit Transport under the TIR system, Beijing, September Official languages: English, French, Russian All States members of the United Nations can accede to the TIR Convention and participate in meetings Accession to the Convention is free of charge Participation in meetings is free of charge Meetings normally in Geneva Interpretation into official languages Consensus approach WORKING ASPECTS

UNECE Sub-regional Seminar on Facilitation of International Road Transit Transport under the TIR system, Beijing, September Acceptance of the Convention in national law – Basis: Original text of Convention + 25 amendments – Consolidated version of the Convention available Authorization of (a) National Guaranteeing Association(s) Publication of approved TIR Customs Offices Designation of a Vehicle Approval Authority Training of authorities Provide data on termination of TIR Carnets – (Recommendation of 1995/new Annex 10) REQUIREMENTS FOR NATIONAL AUTHORITIES

UNECE Sub-regional Seminar on Facilitation of International Road Transit Transport under the TIR system, Beijing, September TIR HANDBOOK Full text of the Convention Explanatory Notes – Legally binding interpretation of provisions Comments – Detailed non-binding interpretation of provisions Examples and recommended practices Available in Arabic, Chinese,English, French, Russian and Spanish etc. Available (free of charge) in hard copy, CD-Rom or via internet download (

UNECE Sub-regional Seminar on Facilitation of International Road Transit Transport under the TIR system, Beijing, September OTHER PUBLICATIONS International Directory of TIR Focal Points Register of Customs seals and stamps

UNECE Sub-regional Seminar on Facilitation of International Road Transit Transport under the TIR system, Beijing, September ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION TIR Convention provides access to Customs transit system TIR does not provide transit rights Additional requirements for international transport maybe required – Dangerous goods – Vehicle standards – Veterinary/sanitary/phyto-sanitary standards – Traffic rights Requirement: Bilateral of multilateral Agreements