1. Legal framework for transit transport cooperation at global level
TIR Convention, 1975 and Harmonization Convention, 1982
Artur Bouten
UNECE TIR secretariat

2. Border crossing facilitation :
On some major routes:
57 % of transport time is lost at border crossings
38 % of transport costs are due to unofficial levies
Long waiting times at borders result in major human suffering for drivers blocked in queues for hours/days
harmful impact on the environment
Border waiting times also cost billions annually => increasing the cost of goods for the end consumer, not to mention lost business opportunities.
Border crossing facilitation is:
Key to international trade, exports and imports
Essential for growth and competiveness
A driver of regional integration
- Road transport can adapt

3. UNECE’s 3600 approach to Border crossing facilitation (2)
Crossing borders requires:
Appropriate and resilient infrastructure
Reliable and harmonized international legal framework
Harmonized or at least aligned procedures (e.g. customs)
International cooperation and exchange of best practices

4. The TIR Convention, 1975 TIR Convention, 1975
Establishes and regulates the only existing and operational global customs transit system
Administered under UNECE auspices
69 Contracting Parties from 4 continents, among which Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Republic of Moldova,Tajikistan, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uzbekistan
Pakistan recently acceded
China expressed interest to join
Border crossing facilitation through an internationally recognized and harmonized procedure with a single internationally valid customs document and guarantee
Effective revenue protection and security without excessive administrative burden for customs and time/cost losses for operators

5. Geographical scope Contracting parties to the TIR Convention
TIR operational countries
Countries about to implement the TIR System
Countries in admission
Interested Parties

6. The 5 pillars of the TIR system
Secure vehicles or containers
Mutual recognition of customs controls
International guarantee
TIR Carnet
Controlled access

7. TIR computerization status
TIR-EPD
Transport sector
Other customs administrations
Guarantee chain
ITDBonline+
SafeTIR
Register of stamps and seals
Customs e
National Declaration Mechanism (Single Windows)
TIR operations management

8. Computerization process (eTIR) is underway
eTIR Reference Model (conceptual)
Adaptation of the legal framework (legal)
Development of the required systems (technical)
Corridor based step-by-step implementation, through, e.g. eTIR pilot projects:
Between Iran (Islamic Republic of) and Turkey in the UNECE-IRU eTIR Pilot Project
UNDA project to strengthen the capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to facilitate legitimate border crossing, by means of increased secure electronic exchange of information between customs administrations (Georgia and Turkey).

9. TIR Carnets issued in LLDC
2000
2004
2012
2013
2014
ITDB
Afghanistan - 50 1
Armenia
200
3,800
2,200 59
Azerbaijan
4,000
3,950
11,400
10,300
4,800 48
Georgia
1,000
1,050
8,200
10,500
7,500
461
Kazakhstan
10,400
17,000
19,000
25,000
24,200
338
Kyrgyzstan
100
4,900
17,100
22,200
20,900
121
Moldova
18,000
46,900
81,000
77,450
65,200
734
Mongolia
150
Tajikistan
2,950
3,500
Uzbekistan
2,400
14,100
17,500
9,000
204
FYROM
17,050
27,400
25,400
29,300
34,000
1,968

10. 2015 Prices
14 Volet in USD

11. Preliminary analysis
Regression line vs plotted data

12. The Harmonization Convention, 1982
- International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods
- 56 Contracting Parties
Latest accessions: Iran, Tajikistan
Other LLDC: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Republic of Moldova, FYROM, Uzbekistan
- Expressed interest to join: China

13. Objective and Scope
To facilitate cross border transport of goods through nationally coordinated, internationally harmonized, shorter, reduced formalities and controls of goods at borders It covers:
All goods moved across borders (exported, imported or in transit)
All control services
All modes of transport
Specific provisions for certain transport modes and goods
Also addresses certain issues with regard to vehicles and drivers

14. General principles vs. detailed provisions
Framework providing for a high degree of flexibility in organizing national and international cooperation
No universal ‘one size fits all’ solution
Examples of best practice are essential
Integrated operational annexes are included, such as Annex 8 for road, Annex 9 for rail and (draft) Annex 10 for seaports

15. TIR Green lanes Republic of Moldova

16. Handbook of Best Practices at Border Crossings
Reference material and more than 120 best practice examples at border crossings.
It covers available legal instruments, inter-agency and international co-operation, balancing security and facilitation measures, processing of freight, risk management, design of border crossing points, use of ICT technologies, human resource management and benchmarking.
Available at:

17. Inland clearance in Afghanistan
The debate about BCP or inland clearance also applies in
Afghanistan. Traditionally, all goods entering Afghanistan
were cleared at the first point of entry (border), but
duties collected at the border were often diverted by
the provincial authorities, to the detriment of the State
budget. The system was characterized by revenue losses,
inadequate control, and a high level of corruption.
An inland clearance scheme was introduced, with duties
being collected in major cities where accounts were easier
to control. State Customs revenue increased significantly.
The scheme was supported by a World Bank Emergency

18. Thank you Artur Bouten UNECE TIR SECRETARIAT
Sustainable Transport Division
8-14, Avenue de la Paix CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland
Phone:
Fax: