Mumbai: The first intermodal Digital TIR pilot transport between India and Iran which facilitates seamless and paperless cross-border transit of goods, under the customs guarantee of the TIR system, was recently flagged off by DS Garbyal, Commissioner of Customs, Nhava Sheva, here.

The TIR system is an international road transport system which plays an important role in facilitating cross border trade flow, adding considerable value to improving regional trade mechanisms. Globally, the TIR system has been a successful model for reducing trade transaction costs and facilitating higher growth of intra-regional and inter-regional trade.

Originally designed as a paper-based solution, the TIR system now offers fully digital capacities, making international freight transits even faster, more efficient and more secure.  Indian Customs Administration is actively working towards full implementation of the digital TIR system in the country.

The convention allows goods to be outlined in a TIR carnet and sealed in load compartments. Customs verify the carnet and check the seals, with no need for physical checking of the contents, enabling shipments to pass through countries without being opened at borders. FICCI has been appointed by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, as the national issuing and guaranteeing association for its operation in India like ATA carnet.

TIR helps in facilitation of trade and transport, preventing delays in border crossing operations by minimizing the formalities which decreases the transportation costs, facilitating the border crossing operations with the use of standard documents and unified controls, which encourages the development of international trade. This system provides many advantages and benefits to the national economy by simplifying the movement of national and international transport, giving access to over 64 TIR operational countries. /BI/