Title
Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention)
Dates of the instrument
Signature: 14 November 1975
Entry into force*: 20 March 1978
Summary
The Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) aims to facilitate international transport of goods through harmonized border-crossing procedures, enabling sealed containers to move between countries without inspection at each crossing. Through Annex 11, the Convention establishes a comprehensive electronic system for TIR operations while maintaining its core principles of secure transit and simplified procedures. The eTIR system enhances efficiency by enabling seamless electronic data exchange between customs authorities, while allowing contracting parties flexibility in their implementation timeline.
Key paperless trade provisions found in Annex 11 include:
- Mandatory connection to the eTIR international system for participating parties
- Electronic exchange of TIR transport and guarantee data
- Digital processing of TIR operations
- Secure electronic data exchange protocols
- Real-time information sharing between customs authorities
- Standardized electronic message formats
- Automated customs risk management
- Digital authentication mechanisms
- Flexible implementation timelines for parties
- Integrated customs data management
Relevant document(s)
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Geographical coverage
Global
Legal nature
Treaties/Conventions
Trade processes
Border and Regulatory Processes
Trade documents
Customs Declaration (CD)
TIR Carnet (TIR)
Contact point
United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
uncitral@un.org
Contact point
* For a model law – entry into force of the law enacting a model law; for a treaty–entry into force