In conducing TIR system in Afghanistan, three entities are involved. ACCI issues Carnet TIR, Customs Department conducts custom protocol and accelerates execution TIR in Afghan customs and MoTCV facilities essentials transport and transit needs.

What is the TIR System?

TIR stands for International Road Transport. In practice, it is an international Customs transit system for goods carried by road which facilitates international movement of goods across the borders of countries that have ratified the TIR Convention, while offering a high level of security. The TIR System enables door-to-door transport with minimum interference at the international borders of contracting parties to the TIR Convention and thus serves, in the best possible way.

Origin

The TIR system was created to facilitate trade and transport whilst implementing an international harmonized system of Customs control that effectively protects the revenue of each Country through which goods are carried. In 1949, shortly after World War II, the first TIR Agreement was concluded between a small number of European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). The success of this limited scheme led to the negotiation of a TIR Convention, which was adopted in 1959 by the UNECE Inland Transport Committee and entered into force in 1960. This first TIR Convention was revised in 1975 to take account of practical experience in operating the system and to give effect to technical advances and changing customs and transportation requirements.

TIR system today

At the beginning of 2010 the TIR System has 68 Contracting Parties (including the European Union) on four continents. Many more countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America have demonstrated their interest in acceding to the system in the near future. The TIR System has proved to be extremely successful and is the only global Customs transit system in existence. This popularity can be explained by the special features of the TIR regime, which offers transport operators and Customs authorities a simple, flexible, cost-effective and secure system for the international transport of goods across frontiers.

How does it work?

The TIR System is based on 6 essential principles: 1) secure vehicles or containers 2) international chain of guarantee 3) TIR Carnet 4) mutual recognition of Customs controls 5) controlled access and 6) IT TIR Risk Management tools “Safe TIR and TIR Electronic pre-Declaration”. After a strict selection and approbation from national Customs authorities, the TIR Holder is entitled to use a TIR Carnet. This TIR Carnet, representing both the Customs transit declaration and the evidence of an international financial guarantee, is duly completed and stamped by Customs Authorities who seal the load compartment at departure, and thus ensures the integrity of the load to the Customs Authorities at all successive borders crossing points, while avoiding time-consuming inspection or bond deposits at each border.

What are the concrete benefits?

The TIR System is applicable worldwide and constitutes an important transport facilitation tool; it benefits the transport industry by reducing transit delays and costs through minimum Customs interference, as well as simplified and standardized controls and documentation.  As a result, it encourages the development of international trade.

For the Customs authorities more specifically, the advantages are that duties and taxes at risk during international transit are guaranteed up to a maximum of US$ 50,000.  Only bona fide transport operators are issued the use of TIR Carnets, which enhances the System’s security.  The TIR System significantly reduces the need for physical inspection of transiting goods and dramatically facilitates Customs control and documentation.  The use of internal clearance points for export and import allows more efficient deployment of Customs personnel.

The TIR Convention already provides concrete answers to the new security requirements established by the World Customs Organization’s Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, thus taking into account the increased attention drawn by abuses from criminals looking to cover illicit activities, including illegal migration, drug trafficking, Customs and transit fraud, movement of counterfeit goods and other offenses threatening the wellbeing of national societies and the international community.

Finally, according to Annex 10 to the TIR Convention, the electronic control system (called SafeTIR) provides Customs, through secure connections, with online validation of the status of the TIR Carnet; this SafeTIR system thus dramatically enhances traceability and risk management, since it allows early detection of potential irregularities.

What is the added value for Afghanistan?

It should be noted that Afghanistan has borders with 6 countries, out of which 4 are TIR operational (Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan) and 5 are ECO Member States.  Furthermore, Pakistan is considering acceding to the TIR Convention.

Moreover, the predicted expansion of the TIR System in the near future will also bring very important opportunities to the Afghan road transport industry as well as trade.  The TIR System has been fully operational in Europe, CIS for a long time and the Middle East for a few years, especially in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Kuwait.  Final steps are now being taken by Pakistan and China to possibly join the TIR Convention in the near future.  Moreover, the governments of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Thailand are also considering the TIR System as an important tool for the development of their trade.

When these countries join the TIR System, it is obvious that the TIR facilitation will open important corridors for trade in the direction of the Persian Gulf and Indo-China with great opportunities to reinforce its key role as a link between East and West on the path of the recently revitalized Silk Roads.

Road transport has become a vital production tool, driving peace and prosperity.  On those grounds, the smooth implementation of the TIR System is crucial.  However the successful implementation of the TIR System is also dependent on countries joining other UN Conventions connected with transport and trade facilitation, dealing with issues such as road traffic, road transport of dangerous goods and perishable foodstuff, etc.  IRU is dedicated to assist all involved in this process.

Afghanistan’s membership in TIR Convention

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan joined TIR Convention in 1976 but has not been active in the TIR for several years as a result of decades of war and lack of infrastructure meant that the country has not been able to benefit from TIR System.  Within the framework of follow up provisions of the Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA), a National Capacity Building Workshop on TIR System was organized jointly by Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), IRU and the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on 19 – 20 May 2010 in Kabul.  The Workshop stressed the importance of the TIR System for the economic development of Afghanistan as well as for improved connectivity within the region and beyond. In this framework, IRU was requested to present to ECO, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation of Afghanistan and ACCI a proposed Action Plan. The action plan, prepared by the IRU presents a step by step road map to be followed by Ministry of Transport, ACCI and Customs Authority in order for Afghanistan to participate in the TIR Convention.   At the time an agreement concluded between IRU and ECO for organization of ECO/IRU SILK ROAD TRUCK CARAVAN travel through the territory of the 10 ECO member states including Afghanistan. The ECO/IRU SILK ROAD caravan arrived to Mazar province, Afghanistan on Oct 08, 2010 and it was intended that a MOU to be signed between IRU and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for reactivation of TIR Convention, which has not took place.

The TIR Convention states that any organization/association representing the trucking companies at least for 2 years could be introduced as the guaranteeing association by the state government to IRU.  The Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) is a Member of the IRU since many decades.  Therefore, it was recommended that the ACCI is appointed by the competent Afghan Authorities as the TIR issuing and guaranteeing Association in Afghanistan.

Roles and Responsibilities of Different Parties involved in the TIR System

1. 1. Roles and Responsibility of the Government

• Acceptance of the TIR Convention in accordance with national law (publication in the national public law journal)
• Deposit of an instrument of accession at the Legal Office of the United Nations in New York.
• Authorization of a national guaranteeing organization
• Authorisation of persons to utilize TIR Carnets (transport operators)
• Publication of a list of the Customs offices approved for accomplishing TIR operations.
• Training of Customs officials in the operation of TIR Customs procedures.
• Establishment or designation of an authority responsible for the approval of road vehicles and containers.
• Transmission to international organization or to the national guaranteeing associations if possible via central or regional offices of information in a standard format in respect of all TIR Carnets presented at Customs offices of destination.
• Deposit of the following documentation and information with the TIR Executive Board

-  A certified copy of the written agreement or any other legal document between the competent authorities (Customs) and the national associations as well as any modifications thereto.

-  A certified copy of the insurance or financial guarantee contract as well as any modification thereto.

Controlled access to the TIR procedure

• The particular of each person authorized by the competent authorities to use TIR Carnets or whose authorization has been withdrawn.
• A complete and updated list of all persons authorized by the competent authorities to use TIR Carnets or whose authorization has been withdrawn.
• The particulars of each person excluded from the operation of the Convention in accordance with Article 38.

1. 2. Roles and Responsibilities of the National Guaranteeing Association

• Conclude a contract with Customs Authorities.
• Conclude a contract with IRU on the functioning of the international guarantee system.
• Act as guarantor, including foreign companies.
• Issue TIR Carnets only to persons who fulfill the minimum conditions and requirements, and who is access to the TIR procedure.
• Conclude a declaration of commitment with the transport operator requesting TIR Carnets.
• Issue TIR Carnets on the basis of a risk management based system
• Take, in close cooperation with the competent authorities all necessary measures to ensure the proper use of TIR Carnets.

1. 3. Roles and Responsibility of the Transport Operator

• Conclusion of a declaration of commitment to the national guarantee association
• Procurement of a certificate of approval for road vehicles and containers to deliver by competent national inspection authorities.
• Mounting of the TIR plate on road vehicles

Admittance a Transport Company in TIR System

In order to admit a Transport Company in TIR System the company must fill in and provide the bellow documents:

• Completed and signed application form
• License of holder for carrying out international road transport, which is issued by competent authorities  (Ministry of Transport/ Afghanistan Investment Agency)
• Names of owners, directors and if applicable shareholders and focal point of the company with their contact detail.
• List of vehicles with detailed specification authorized for TIR operations and registered in the name of the holder
• Road vehicle license issued by, Traffic Department of Ministry of Interior (MOI)
• List of drivers with detailed specification to carry TIR transport and copies of international driving license and passport
• Proof of past business operations, orders, certificates or other documents
• Proof of financially viability, e.g. Bank reference, credit, and bank statement of one year last operation
• Annual accountancy reports, audit report, balance sheets etc, if applicable
• Approval and verification from on financial status reported by customs and tax authorities
• Authorized person representing the application submits written “Declaration of the transport operator before entering the TIR system” by signing of which he confirms that he has not committed any offences against tax nor customs legislation which could impede his admission to the TIR system pursuant to the annex 9 of the TIR convention
• Original copy of the signed Declaration of Engagement
• Signed receipt for the holders Manual and its successive addenda
• Documents giving details of persons (name, position and signature) authorized to collect TIR Carnet
• Documents giving details of persons (name, position and signature) authorized to sign TIR carnet
• Declaration of the applicant that the person possesses knowledge in the application of the TIR carnet
• List of the holder’s staff and drivers which have completed TIR training and date of these training sessions, issued by ACCI
• Third party liability insurance and other types of insurance (it's required and applicably types of insurance (it's required and applicable)
• Withdrawal/ authorization in the past
• Model authorization form (MAF) to utilize TIR carnet signed by customs authorities and ACCI
• Details and receipt of guarantee amount
• Approval certificates of road vehicles carrying out TIR transport, issued by the Afghanistan Customs Department
• Stamp containing the name of the transport company, province, city, country and unique ID number

Click here to download required documents:

For further information, please contact:

Rahman Nabizada

Cell: +93 (0) 788 54 32 85

Email: tir.manager@acci.org.af