BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec. 1
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
The first pilot cargo transportation using the eTIR (digital TIR) procedure was carried out between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on November 20, Trend reports referring to the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
According to the Union, trucks with household electrical appliances from Tashkent crossed the border into Kazakhstan, and the customs authorities of both countries successfully processed transit guarantees.
“The transport was a milestone in a regional trade facilitation project led by the IRU and supported by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), as well as customs authorities and IRU members in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan - the Association of International Road Carriers of Uzbekistan (AIRCUZ) and Union of International Road Carriers of Kazakhstan (KazATO),” the information says.
TIR (Transports International Routiers) is a system for international road transport of goods, operating on the basis of the Customs Convention on the International Carriage of Goods under the Cover of TIR Carnets, founded in 1975. The transition to a fully digital TIR procedure is underway.
“Digitization to facilitate road transport is especially important for landlocked Central Asian countries as it allows the development of land routes to improve access to seaports and world markets,” the IRU said in a statement.
According to IRU, application of the eTIR procedure in the countries of Central Asia will simplify the procedures for crossing state borders, reduce transportation times, as well as the costs of carriers.
“The paperless format of the system reduces physical contact between drivers and customs officials, making it easier to comply with measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the IRU noted.
In addition, many of the procedures in eTIR can be performed remotely, without having to visit the office of the local TIR association.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres in April called the eTIR procedure an extremely important tool to stimulate trade during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
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