30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 1 THE TIR CONVENTION - PRESENT AND FUTURE Mr. Poul Hansen TIR Secretary Transport Division United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 2 Presentation outline  Present situation  Challenges  Opportunities  Future  Conclusion

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 3 UNECE role in facilitation  Pan-European/Global Focal point for intergovernmental regulatory and technical development in facilitation.  Regulation traditionally originates in Europe due to early identification of needs.  UNECE traditionally overland focus.

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 4 UNECE involvement in border crossing facilitation Main Conventions and Agreements  TIR Convention  Conventions on the Temporary Importation of Road Vehicles (Carnet de Passage)  Harmonization Convention  Customs Convention on Containers  Container Pool Convention  Rail Transit Convention in progress

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 5 THE TIR CONVENTION Customs Transit Facilitation  Customs Authorities –Efficient Customs procedures for transit traffic –Provide Customs authorities with guarantee  Transport Sector –Simplification and harmonization of Customs formalities –Reduce waiting times and repetitive control procedures TRADE AND TRANSPORT FACILITATION IMPORTANT ECONOMIC IMPACT

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 6 THE TIR Convention Principles Mutual Recognition of Customs controls The five pillars of the TIR Customs transit system T I R C O N V E N T I O N Secure vehicles or containers International guarantee TIR Carnet Controlled access UNECE

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 7 THE TIR CONVENTION Distinguishing features  Customs-to-Customs information exchange with trader input  Open for global application  Centralized guarantee, no national guarantee system  No restriction in the modes of transport used – intermodal  No sanctions against CP’s in case of non-application  Authorization and access procedures  No physical inspection of goods in transit  Minimum of procedures at border crossings  No national Customs documentation and control system

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 8 THE TIR CONVENTION Contracting Parties to the Convention: 64 + European Union Legend Contracting Party where Convention is applied Contracting Party where Convention is not applied Potential Contracting Party

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 9 THE TIR CONVENTION TIR Carnets issued 2,782, ,278, , , TIR CARNETS ISSUEDYEAR ,095, ,900,000 (IRU estimate)

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 10 THE TIR CONVENTION Challenges  Application and implementation  Increased facilitation Modernization/  Fraud prevention – risk managementcomputerization  Security  EU Enlargement  Geographical extension

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 11 Computerization Project A cross sectoral project between UNECE Transport/Trade  National transit procedures are computerized  TIR = a facilitation tool and not a barrier to facilitation  Computerized procedure = international link TIR ITDB NCTS Turkey Bilge R.F. SAFE TIR Other MS Holder EU IRU

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 12 Computerization Project  Approach: Based on existing paper system system  Status: Modelling current functioning (Phase I)  Next phases: Phase II: Definition and modelling future requirements, Phase III-IV: Analysis and design, (Phase V, Role-out and implementation)  Cooperation partners: Integrated with UNECE Trade Division  Timeline: UNECE target 2006  Needs: Commitment from Contracting Parties, financing

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 13 TIR GLOBAL INTERMODAL TRANSIT SYSTEM  Based on TIR computerization  Efficient tool for trade/transport facilitation for international transit revenue protection/fraud prevention/risk management securing the international supply chain (shift of focus) Global Transit system Risk management Facilitation Security

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 14 FUTURE/CONCLUSIONS  UNECE committed to TIR focusing on facilitation and correct implementation, application and fraud prevention modernization/computerization  UNECE committed to developing global transit system on TIR basis extending scope of application (security etc.) enlarging geographical scope ? VIEW AND COMMITMENT OF THE EU ON TIR

30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 15 TIR Convention UNECE/TIR SECRETARIAT 8-14, Avenue de Paix CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Phone: Fax: address: http.//tir.unece.org