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

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

3. 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

4. Drivers often see adequate roads…but little traffic!

5. …until they reach border crossings!!

6. 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 …

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

8. The System
Managed by the IRU since 1949

9. 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.

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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).

18. 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

19. Green Lanes at Border Crossing Points

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