Qatar has become the 73rd Contracting Party to the United Nations’ TIR Convention, the only global customs transit system, to facilitate trade and the seamless and secure movement of goods across its borders.
Qatar’s accession is an important milestone for improving road and multimodal transport in the Middle East and North Africa region, which is experiencing growing interest in the TIR Convention. Within the last two months, the United Arab Emirates has fully implemented the TIR system and the State of Palestine has acceded to the Convention. Qatar’s accession also comes as a sign of the country’s integration into global transport and trade norms.
The TIR Convention (1975), which facilitates the transport of goods between countries, is the only global customs transit system in existence. Hosted by UNECE, it now has 73 Contracting Parties covering the whole of Europe, and reaches out to Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The TIR Convention is expanding rapidly, with Pakistan, China and India, home to almost 40% of the world population, acceding to the Convention within the last three years alone.
Accession to TIR secures payment of customs duties and taxes by providing a robust guarantee mechanism, thus reducing trade transaction costs and facilitating higher growth of intra-regional and inter-regional trade.
The TIR system requires customs and national authorities to provide minimal manpower and facilities – which is limited to checks on seals and the inspection of load compartments or containers – and reduces transit delays and congestion at border crossings.
TIR also saves on transport costs, leading to increased competitiveness and growth.
Note to editors
About TIR
The only global customs transit system for moving goods across international borders, TIR “Transports Internationaux Routiers” has been supporting trade and development for more than 60 years, by allowing customs-sealed vehicles and freight containers to transit countries with minimal border checks. It is governed by the United Nations TIR Convention, which is hosted by UNECE, and managed by the world road transport organisation, IRU.
On 25 January 2018 Qatar deposited its instruments of accession to the TIR Convention. The Convention will enter into force for Qatar on 25 July 2018.