DUBAI: A customs transit system which will dramatically speed up the transport of goods across the UAE’s borders with its neighbouring countries is on course to be introduced by the end of this year.
The Fujairah Customs Authority and the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) have signed a deal to bring the TIR (International Road Transport) System to the emirates, said a statement.
It follows earlier agreements between ATCUAE and the customs authorities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman to work together to introduce the TIR system, it said.
It will reduce the time trucks spend at frontiers from days to hours, it said.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, ATCUAE president, said he expects similar agreements to be reached soon with the customs authorities in Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain, paving the way for the system to become fully active in the UAE before the end of the year.
In preparation for this, the club in cooperation with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) will stage a two-day workshop in Dubai next month to introduce customs officials to the highly computerised TIR system.
Rashid Mohammed Said Hamad, director general of Fujairah Customs, said: “We are very pleased to have signed an agreement with the ATCUAE to play our part in making sure the nation embraces the best global practices in road transportation.
“The activation of the TIR system is eagerly awaited by a wide range of goods, manufacturers and suppliers, and by their customers, because it saves a great deal of time and money.”
Currently linking 68 countries worldwide, the TIR system allows goods to transit from a country of origin to a country of destination in sealed load compartments, said the statement.
The physical inspection of goods will be minimised by the use of standardised and reduced controls, and international customs documents known as Carnets, issued on behalf of the IRU.
While administrative and financial burdens are minimised, duties and taxes at risk are guaranteed, it said.
“The TIR system can cut the time trucks spend at the borders from three to five days at present to a matter of hours, so the benefits for the transport industry overall are obvious,” said Sulayem.
Appointed by the Federal Transport Authority of Land and Maritime Services (FTAML) as the official association in the UAE to issue and guarantee TIR Carnets for truck operators, the ATCUAE is already an active member of the IRU.
The IRU workshop will take place on June 7 and 8, on the TIR system which delivers pre-declarations to customs, ensuring real-time traceability of Carnets and efficient risk management, making border procedures faster, more secure and user-friendly.
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