Ashgabat: The State Customs Service of Turkmenistan recently conducted a significant meeting with a delegation from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) to explore advancements in international road transport under the TIR system.
According to Trend News Agency, the Turkmen delegation was led by the Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Service, while the IRU’s Senior Advisor, Vakhtang Zarandia, headed the visiting delegation. The discussions centered on crafting a strategic roadmap to streamline procedures and bolster the TIR guarantee mechanism. Both parties also shared insights on the integration of digital technologies, the modernization of TIR procedures, and the deployment of advanced information systems. Representatives from the Turkmen Association of International Road Carriers (THADA) were also part of the IRU delegation.
The IRU, established in 1948, is the foremost global organization for road transport, advocating for industry interests and promoting economic growth and sustainable development through road-based movement of goods and people. The organization collaborates with governments and international bodies to facilitate trade and mobility, especially through managing the TIR customs system, which is instrumental in simplifying border crossings for goods.
The TIR system, or Transports Internationaux Routiers, is an international customs transit and guarantee framework designed to ease the movement of goods across borders using sealed containers. This system operates with minimal border involvement and employs a globally recognized transit document, the TIR Carnet, alongside an international guarantee system that covers potential taxes and duties. This framework benefits transport operators by reducing costs and transit times, thereby enhancing global trade facilitation through improved border crossings and customs cooperation.