UAE Announces the Activation of the International Road Transport System (TIR) 18.12.2017: The Automobile and Touring Club of UAE organized in collaboration with the Federal Customs Authority and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) the Activation of the TIR System in the country

The Automobile and Touring Club of UAE organized in collaboration with the Federal Customs Authority and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) the Activation of the TIR System in the country according to the federal law number 9 of 2011 and its Executive regulations with regards to land transport.



His Excellency Ali Mohamed bin Subaih Al Kaabi, Customs Commissioner and Chairman of the Federal Customs Authority announced the activation of the TIR operation in the United Arab Emirates to commence on the 18th of December 2017. Among other items discussed were key information on benefits, digitalization and UAE’s projects with Turkey under the cover of TIR system and providing trade access to 71 countries across the globe. The event was held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City on 18 December 2017.

 


This event represents the culmination of years of work by our ATCUAE cooperation with from the Federal Customs Authority, Federal Transport Authority of Land & Maritime, Dubai Customs and other national Customs Authorities and International Road Transport Union (IRU).  From the UAE transport industry, Top Freight Forwarding companies are involved in the conference to receive their first TIR carnets.



The official activation was attended by all concerned parties including the Federal Customs Authority, the Federal Transport Authority of Land and Martime, local customs Authorities and other key Authorities in the UAE and representatives of ATCUAE and IRU.



During the official activation, a number of TIR implementation related topics were discussed including the responsibilities of all concerned parties, how to effectively use the system, local and international insurance system, in addition to the international implications.





In a speech at the launch of the first phase of implementing the TIR Convention in the UAE, HE Al Kaabi said that this launch represents a new step that contributes to the fulfillment of UAE’s international obligations in trade facilitation, increasing trade rates, and adopting best practices in road transportation in the aim of raising the nation’s competitiveness at a global scale.


He pointed out that the UAE is a regional and international trade center and is the first commercial gateway to many countries in the region. He said that official statistics available to the Authority indicate that more than 170 000 trucks crossed customs outlets in the UAE in both directions which reflects the pivotal role and the importance of implementing the TIR system in the UAE.

The official activation witnessed a great interaction by the concerned parties and specialists from the IRU and ATCUAE and many related technical and administrative details were discusses. ATCUAE President Mohammed ben Sulayem and representatives from the Federal Customs Authority, the Federal Transport Authority for Land and Maritime and International Road Transport Union participated in these interactive conversations and posited on the future of transportation of goods within the region and further.



HE the Commissioner Ali bin Sabih Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Federal Customs Authority, said, “The UAE is continuing to build a competitive knowledge- based economy that will enhance its position as a regional and international trading hub.”



In a speech at the launch of the first phase of implementing the TIR Convention in the UAE, H.E Al Kaabi said that this launch represents a new step that contributes to the fulfillment of UAE’s international obligations in trade facilitation, increasing trade rates, and adopting best practices in road transportation in the aim of raising the nation’s competitiveness at a global scale.



He pointed out that the UAE is a regional and international trade center and is the first commercial gateway to many countries in the region. He said that official statistics available to the Authority indicate that more than 170 000 trucks crossed customs outlets in the UAE in both directions which reflects the pivotal role and the importance of implementing the TIR system in the UAE.






He also praised the efforts exerted by the Authority's partners in implementing the system and the level of cooperation they provided during the preparation stage for the application, especially the Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport, the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and The International Road Transport Union (IRU).




He stressed that the facilitation of trade and the simplification of customs procedures at the border crossing points constitute one of the strategic objectives of the Federal Customs Authority in the country, noting that the International Road Transports system (TIR) contributes significantly to achieving this goal and accelerates the transfer of goods and protects the revenues of the country by the guaranteed payment of taxes in accordance with international conventions.



Regarding the preparations of the Federal Customs Authority for the implementation of the first phase of the system, the Commissioner said that the Authority has coordinated with the concerned customs departments, which are the Customs of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. Information has been exchanged and customs risk management systems have been established in cooperation with IRU.



Also, the companies and agencies involved in the application of the system have been evaluated and we organized training and awareness programs for them. The Authority has also identified the free zones, centers and customs outlets involved, and completed all requirements and procedures necessary for implementation.



HE Mohamed Jumaa Busaiba, Director General of the Federal Customs Authority, said “The TIR system provides many advantages to customs departments worldwide, the most important of which are the reduction of national requirements for transit procedures and the reduction of the need for physical inspection in transit countries saving time, effort, manpower and facilities costs. A single transient traffic document also reduces the possibility of providing incorrect information to customs administrations.”



He explained that the fourth element of the transit system was the international recognition of customs control measures, meaning that the customs control measures taken in the country of departure should be accepted by the transit and destination countries of the truck, which means that the inspection or customs inspection in the first country of departure should be strict and complete, since the entire international road transport system is depending on it, contrary to what is currently prevailing worldwide.

He pointed out that the full commitment to the implementation of the standards of the international road transport system "TIR" in the UAE represents a great challenge to customs administrations, transport operators and institutions concerned with the application. However, the UAE, and thanks to the vision and guidance of its wise leadership and determination of its sons in the customs and land transport sector is able to overcome this challenge.



He expressed his hope for further cooperation during the coming period with all partners in order to prepare a detailed report evaluating the results of this pilot phase, so that corrective plans can be made to maximize the utilization of this system for national economy.



“This activation is very important for the country both economically and in terms of security,” stated Abdullah Musallam Al Harethi, Director of the Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime. “We will open the borders to ensure free movement of freight  and we are expecting a lot of transactions between the UAE and other counties in the coming few months after the issuance of the TIR. The TIR Convention will ensure better communications, better safety of goods and easy access.”



Mr Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of the International Road Transport Union commented, “This marks a milestone for trade in the UAE, a milestone for the region and the future of trade globally.”



“We are pleased to see this interaction and involvement of all concerned parties in the implementation of the TIR system,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “The TIR system provides many economical and logistical benefits to the land transport sector; it will also enhance work performance according to the latest international standards in this vital industry in accordance to the international agreements and conventions signed by the UAE”.




The TIR system, that currently connects 68 countries around the world, allows to transport goods from the origin destination to its final destination while it is completely sealed and without the need for manual inspection using standard inspection tools and the adoption of TIR carnet, issued by the Automobile and Touring Club of UAE and authorized by the IRU, and thus reduce the administrative and financial burdens and implement guaranteed fees and taxes.




Future workshops on the subject will be organized in the coming months by ATCUAE in collaboration with FCA and IRU in order to build local capacity in the country, which will contribute in enhancing the country’s leading position in the field of risks management related to the transportation of goods, which is compatible with UAE vision for 2021.
     





-Nila McCann - ATCUAE photos