LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL TIR SYSTEM United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

1. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL TIR SYSTEM United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Transport Division Border Crossing Facilitation Section Regional TIR seminar

2. TIR REVISION PROCESS • Background • Phase I (entry into force 17 February 1999) • Phase II (entry into force 12 May 2002) • Phase III under discussion Regional TIR seminar

3. Phase I • Controlled access to the TIR system for national associations for transport operators • Establishment of an inter-governmental supervisory body, the TIR Executive Board (TIRExB) • Transparency in the functioning of the international guarantee system Regional TIR seminar

4. Phase II • Distinction between “TIR transport” and “TIR operation” (Article 1 (a) and 1 (b)) and between “termination of a TIR operation” and “discharge of a TIR operation”(Article 1 (d) and (e)) • Definition of the holder of a TIR Carnet (Article 1 (o)) • Definition of responsibilities of the international organization (Article 6.2bis) Regional TIR seminar

5. Phase III To allow for the introduction of modern information management and control technologies • Revision of the TIR Carnet (ID number, HS code, value of goods) • Possible increase in the number of places for loading and unloading under Customs seal • eTIR Project Regional TIR seminar

6. eTIR Project • Elementary discussion: 2000-2001 • Since 2002: “Informal ad hoc Expert Group on Conceptual and Technical Aspects of Computerization of the TIR Procedure (GE.1)” • Work based on UMM • eTIR Reference Model • Chapter 1: Description of current system • Chapter 2: Design of future system • Chapter 3: Analysis Regional TIR seminar

7. eTIR Project (continued) Customs: Customs to Customs system based on the secure exchange of data under Customs supervision Via a centralized, international database Industry: Development of eTIR Project around the tools developed by the industry Regional TIR seminar

8. New Public Private Partnership Out of scope Private Public Declaration (definition of standard messages) Holder Customs : Guarantee info National Association Transport, operations & Guarantee info National International International organization eTIR International system Guarantee info Holder info Transport & operations info Guarantee Chain ITDB Out of scope Regional TIR seminar

9. Opportunities • For all stakeholders • Increased security • Reduced administrative burdens • Faster circulation of information • Upcoming challenges • Finalize the Reference Model (conceptual) • Revise the TIR Convention (legal) • Develop the required systems (technical) Regional TIR seminar

10. Amendments since 2006 Amendment 26 Introduction of TIR Carnet holder Identification Number on the TIR Carnet (1 April 2006) Amendment 27 Introduction of new Annex 10 establishing a control system for TIR Carnets (12 August 2006) Regional TIR seminar

11. Amendments since 2006 (continued) Amendment 28 Introduction of new description and procedure on the financing of the TIR Executive Board and TIR secretariat in Annex 8, Article 13 of the Convention (1 January 2009) Regional TIR seminar

12. Comments, resolutions, recommendations and best practices Comments: non-binding opinion by WP.30 and TIR Administrative Committee reflecting interpretation, harmonization and application of the TIR Convention; Resolutions: only binding for accepting Contracting Parties; Recommendation: non-binding commitment by Contracting Parties Best practices: facilitation tool to improve the harmonized application at national level, in particular for newly acceded countries Regional TIR seminar

13. Latest comments To Article 3: TIR procedure and postal items To Article 4: Relief from payment or additional security To Article 15: Customs treatment of tractor units To Article 23: Escort of road vehicles Regional TIR seminar

14. Best practices • Procedure for the termination and discharge of a TIR operation • Inquiry procedure • List of documents to substantiate claims for non- discharge • Information and documentation, other than the TIR Carnet, which Customs may require • Recommendations for improving the communication between Customs and national associations • Application of Articles 38, 39, 40, Annex 9, Part II • Use of the TIR Carnet Regional TIR seminar

15. Latest recommendation On the use of the HS code (31 January 2008) Recommending TIR Carnet holders to indicate the HS code under box 10 of the goods manifest on the yellow page Absence of HS code shall not lead to delays or infringements Regional TIR seminar

16. Forthcoming amendments 1 October 2009: Introduction of new Explanatory Note 0.3 (a) (iii) on the transport of passenger cars under TIR 1 January 2010: Amendment of Explanatory Note 0.8.3: 50,000 US$ replaced by 60,000 euros Regional TIR seminar

17. Further developments, under discussion Amendments to Articles 8-11 of the Convention, clarifying the liability of the association and procedures to claim payment Amendment of Annex 9, Part I Introduction of new Annex 9, Part III Regional TIR seminar

18. UNECE TIR SECRETARIAT Transport Division 8-14, Avenue de PaixCH-1211 Geneva 10Switzerland Phone: +41 22 917 15 31 Fax: +41 22 917 06 14 Email address: tirexb@unece.org http://tir.unece.org Regional TIR seminar