About TIR

What is TIR?

TIR stands for “Transports Internationaux Routiers” which in English means International Road Transport. It is an international system allowing goods to travel across one or more borders with a minimum of Customs interference whilst in transit, providing at least part of the journey is carried out by road. The TIR system operates in any country that is a Contracting Party to the TIR Convention 1975, provided the country has established the relevant contractual arrangements. Goods travelling under TIR are covered by a TIR Carnet and this means they may pass through these countries without paying Customs duties and taxes and without the need for unloading/reloading at frontiers. The United Nations, on behalf of the Contracting Parties, has mandated the International Road Transport Union (IRU) to administer the TIR system and in particular the guarantee system.

Refer to Article 6 and Annex 9 Part II of the TIR Convention.

The TIR Handbook containing background information, the text of the TIR Convention, 1975 and explanatory notes and comments is available from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) in Geneva, or on the following website: http://www.unece.org/hk/tir/tirconv/conv75.html

The TIR system is based on six main principles:

1. The goods are carried in secure road vehicles (including trailers, semi-trailers), or in containers that have been approved for Customs sealing under the TIR Convention. The only exception to this rule is if the goods are designated as heavy and bulky goods; this must be noted on the goods manifest of the TIR Carnet.
2. The Customs duties and taxes at risk in each TIR operational country are covered up to a fixed amount by an internationally valid guarantee represented by the TIR Carnet.
3. The goods are documented on and accompanied by a TIR Carnet which is the harmonized Customs declaration.
4. Customs control measures applied in the country of departure should be accepted by the countries of transit and destination.
5. Access to use the TIR system is controlled by the Customs authorities and the national transport Associations. National associations wishing to issue and guarantee TIR Carnets must fulfil minimum financial and commercial conditions and requirements before authorization is granted. Similarly, transport operators wishing to use TIR Carnets must be of sound financial standing and must have no record of serious or repeated offences against Customs or tax legislation. The minimum admission requirements must be fulfilled before access is granted to both Associations and transport operators. Parts I and II of Annex 9 to the TIR Convention.
6. Electronic information confirming the partial or final termination of all TIR operations must be sent to the international organisation (the IRU) by each Customs authority where the unloading takes place (This is known as SafeTIR termination data. Details are contained in Annex 10 to the TIR Convention).

• Duties and taxes at risk are guaranteed (currently up to USD 50,000/EUR60,000 in the EU);
• Only authorised transport operators are permitted to use TIR Carnets, thus reducing risks;
• The need for physical inspection of goods in transit is greatly reduced;
• The system facilitates Customs control and documentation; and use of inland Customs offices for the application of export and import controls allows more efficient deployment of Customs personnel and avoids congestion at the border.

TIR Carnets are issued by approved TIR issuing Associations in the country in which the TIR Carnet Holder is established, or where the TIR transport begins. In special circumstances, a TIR Carnet may be issued to a foreign TIR Carnet Holder. In these cases, authorization in writing from the Association to which the Holder belongs is required.

The TIR Carnet can be used for road transit movements that also involve a journey by sea or rail. If a TIR operational country has the facilities to handle the TIR Carnet for journeys other than by road, the use of multi-modal TIR Carnets is possible. If it is not possible then the TIR transport is suspended during that element of the journey, which is therefore not covered by the TIR guarantee. The TIR transport, and control of the TIR Carnet, will be resumed at the first Customs office in a TIR operational country.

If the driver/holder claims that the TIR Carnet has been stolen or lost, then he should immediately approach nearby customs or inform to the concern competent authorities in the country where he is in, in order to record the event and obtain a report.

Customs should inform the association with the carnet details, whereby allowing association to invalidate the TIR carnet with the help of IRU. If the holder wishes to continue the TIR journey, then he should approach the TIR association (Qatar Chamber) in order to get a new TIR Carnet and to continue the TIR journey.

The TIR Carnet has a number of sets (pairs) of detachable vouchers (in French, “volets”) numbered 1 (white) and 2 (green). Normally one pair of vouchers (white and green) is needed for the transport of goods across the territory of each TIR operational country. The vouchers are filled in by the various actors. A guide on how to fill in the TIR Carnet is available to be downloaded free of charge from the IRU bookshop. Click here.

• A fully filled and signed TIR Carnet
• The presence of the TIR Plate on the truck (Provided by the association)
• Land Transport permit for the Truck
• Sealed truck (Done By Customs at borders)
• Submit a Customs Declaration
• Authorized Customs Broker

Yes. The term “heavy or bulky goods” covers any heavy or bulky object, which because of its weight, size or nature is not normally carried in a closed vehicle or closed container. This can range from large machinery to livestock. Article 1 (p) of the TIR Convention refers. In such cases box 11 of the cover page of the TIR Carnet must be endorsed to the effect that heavy or bulky goods are being transported. The yellow manifest and each voucher of the Carnet must similarly be endorsed. Any additional documents such as photographs or plans required by Customs to identify heavy or bulky goods should be attached to the Carnet and noted in box 8 of every voucher in the TIR Carnet.

(i) Alcohol and derived products except for beer or wine (prohibited goods are classified under HS Codes 22.07.10 and 22.08);

(ii) Tobacco and derived products except for raw tobacco (prohibited goods are classified under HS Codes 24.02.10, 24.02.20 and 24.03.10).