1. 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)

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 9 THE TIR CONVENTION TIR Carnets issued 2,782,6002000 2,278,7501995 748,6001990 859,1001985 TIR CARNETS ISSUEDYEAR 2002 3,095,200 2004 1,900,000 (IRU estimate)

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 30 October, 2003 TIR Seminar European Commission 15 TIR Convention UNECE/TIR SECRETARIAT 8-14, Avenue de Paix CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Phone: +41 22 917 32 58 Fax: +41 22 917 0 39 Email address: Poul.Hansen@unece.org http.//tir.unece.org