First phase of Iranian-Azerbaijani e-TIR project to start soon
By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade
TIR system enables goods to transit from a country of origin to a country of destination in sealed load compartments that are controlled by customs via a multilateral, mutually recognised system. The e-TIR system offers benefits to all actors involved in the TIR system and brings additional security and risk management opportunities, thus reducing the risk of fraud.
The first phase of Irani-Azerbaijani e-TIR project will officially start from May 22, 2019, where all the transit operations between two countries become fully electronic.
Majid Derakhshan, deputy of Iran Customs Administration, told Trend that a delegation from Azerbaijan signed a protocol in February that agreed the launch of e-TIR for electronic transit. In this regards, two Iranian and two Azerbaijani transit companies will cooperate in launching the first phase of the project.
"Iran would be the front runner in the Convention on International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) by launching the e-TIR project with Azerbaijan," he added.
Derakhshan stated that Iran and Turkey successfully operated the e-TIR project within past years and second phase of the project with Turkey has started.
He noted that success of e-TIR project between Iran and Turkey has been acknowledged by The World Road Transport Organization (IRU) and the United Nations
"At the moment, Azerbaijan wants to launch the e-TIR pilot project with Iran in the upcoming weeks, while from May 22, 2019, the first phase of project will be officially launched,” Derakhshan said.
Then, he stressed that five Azerbaijani and six Iranian customs points will be involved in the projectю Tehran-Astara-Imam Khomeini Port-Isfahan-Tabriz-West Tehran will be included by the Iranian customs and Astara and Baku will definitely operate within this project in Azerbaijan, he said.
The official emphasized that thanks to electronic customs, paper work will be excluded from operation and transit information will be shared only electronically between two customs administrations.
"Currently, the cooperation with Turkey has been successful. After launching pilot project with Azerbaijan we can gradually transform all the Azerbaijani customs to electronic service," he said.
Derakhshan stated that Iran is ready to implement e-TIR project with 74 member countries of TIR Convention so the project will facilitate the cargo transport, eliminate fraud in documents, increase the speed of operations, and reduce the costs for companies.
He added that Iran and Azerbaijan may consider new custom plan for the trade in International North-South Transport Corridor.
The contracting parties to the TIR Convention launched the so-called “e-TIR Project” in 2003, aimed at providing an exchange platform for all actors (Customs authorities, holders, guarantee chains) involved in the TIR system, known as the “e-TIR international system”.
The e-TIR international system aims to ensure the secure exchange of data between national customs systems related to the international transit of goods, vehicles or containers according to the provisions of the TIR Convention and to allow customs to manage the data on guarantees, issued by guarantee chains to holders authorized to use the TIR system.
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Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1
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