How a TIR carnet works and when to use it

TIR stands for "Transports Internationaux Routiers", a customs system that makes international road transport easier. Everyone knows the blue TIR plate on the truck; behind it sits the TIR carnet.

The basic idea

Goods travel from the country of departure to the country of destination under one document. Instead of unloading and inspecting the goods at every border, customs checks the sealed load compartment and the carnet. The system rests on a few pillars:

• An approved vehicle or container: a load compartment that can be customs-sealed and shows any tampering.
• The TIR carnet: the document describing the goods and the route, processed by customs at departure and arrival.
• An international guarantee chain: a national association in each country gives the guarantee. In Turkey this role is performed by TOBB; Turkey has been a contracting party since 1966.
• An authorised user: only carriers admitted to the system may use a carnet.

When is it used?

A TIR carnet works when the countries on the route are contracting parties and the carrier is authorised. It is most useful on routes that cross several countries and where transit takes a long time. Check the list of contracting parties every time and make sure every country on the route accepts the system.

How it differs from T1

Both are transit systems but their legal basis and guarantee structure differ:

• T1 and NCTS run under the Common Transit Convention with an electronic declaration between the countries concerned. The guarantee is usually provided by whoever lodges the declaration.
• TIR rests on a separate international convention, uses a paper carnet and the guarantee runs through a chain of national associations. It can be valid across a wider geography.

Which one to use depends on the route, the goods and your customs broker's advice. Make it explicit in the load listing or in the pre-order conversation. For details see T1 transit and NCTS.

Points to watch with a carnet

1. Carnet details must match the load exactly. If weight, package count or description do not match, there will be trouble at the border.
2. Seal integrity. If a seal is broken, a report is drawn up and responsibility rests with you.
3. Departure and arrival entries. Correct processing in every country is a precondition for discharge.
4. Discharge. If the carnet is not discharged at destination, a claim can reach the guaranteeing association and from there come back to the carrier.

eTIR

eTIR is the effort to move the paper carnet into an electronic system. It was launched in 2003 and aims to replace the carnet with electronic accompanying data. Which countries actually operate eTIR changes over time; check the current position for Turkey and the countries on your route on the UNECE and TOBB announcements.

On Order And Load

You can keep a copy of the carnet and accompanying papers in the order's document area. The glossary is a handy way to agree on terms with your team.