DOHA: Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassem Al Thani (pictured), Chairman of Qatar Chamber, has invited the companies specialised in the transport sector and wishing to join the international customs transport system for the transport of goods across the international land border (TIR) to submit their documents to Qatar Chamber in order to be included in the list of companies authorised to use this system in export and import operations.
A company wishing to use this system shall have at least three-year experience in the international land transport, he said adding that Qatar Chamber is the guarantor of customs duties.
Sheikh Khalifa said in a press statement that Qatar Chamber joined the World Organization of Land Transport late last year and became afterwards the guarantor and launcher of the national version of TIR system for international land transport in Qatar in coordination with the General Authority of Customs. He also indicated that the Chamber would select companies that meet the conditions for using this system.
The QC Chairman pointed out that the implementation of TIR system for international land transport came within the framework of facilitating trade, reducing transport and shipping costs for traders and facilitating the land transport of goods.
TIR is an international system of transport and customs guarantee that is globally applicable. It allows the transportation of goods from the country of origin through transit countries to the country of destination in sealed containers subject to customs control through a mutually recognized multilateral system.
It is also considered the easiest, safest and most reliable means of transporting goods across multiple international borders, thus saving time and money for transport operators and Customs authorities.
Sheikh Khalifa said that TIR system is working to mainstream border procedures to reduce the administrative burden on customs authorities as well as transport and logistics companies. It also aims to significantly reduce wait times on border in order to save money and time.
TIR authorised carriers can quickly transport goods through multiple customs zones under customs control using a single guarantee, where operators are required to submit their permit information only once at border crossing.
With more than 70 contracting countries worldwide, TIR system is rapidly expanding, where more than 20 countries are looking forward to joining it in the coming years. More than (34,000) transport and logistics companies rely on TIR system to deliver goods quickly and reliably across the international borders.
TIR system is available only to authorised operators who have access to the system from the Customs Department in cooperation with national TIR authorities.
TIR joining criteria are based on the company’s professionalism and level of compliance, rather than on the size of the company or its fleet, where TIR system is available to small and medium-sized companies as well as large carriers. TIR system can be mainstreamed through TIR consignors and consignees and thus joins the approved national and regional economic transport systems.
Goods transported under TIR system arrive at the border in containers sealed by the departure customs clearance office. Containers used in TIR operations are subject to prior customs clearance, ensuring that no goods are added or removed without detection. This reduces the need to routine physical inspections on borders along the road.
Modern TIR information technology tools ensure that all public and private actors involved in TIR process have access to the data they need. Such tools allow the electronic sending of shipment details simultaneously to multiple border crossings before the shipment reaches entries and exits.
This enables customs officers to conduct better risk assessments, prioritize inspections and facilitate compliance with the shipment information electronically sent in advance, which is mandatory for shipping goods to multiple jurisdictions.
TIR system is globally applicable, where it uses one international guarantee to eliminate the need for costly guarantees in each transit country.
