Q I have recently started to encounter international traffic in the
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course of my business and would be glad if you could explain what TIR carnets are.
AThese are documents which provide for
the free movement of goods across international frontiers, being acceptable by the customs authorities of countries which are signatories of the TIR Convention. This includes the UK and most European countries, as well as nations outside Europe. In practice, goods covered by a TIR carnet are exempted from all but the initial and final customs examinations. Unless there are specific reasons to the contrary, the carrier will not be required to pay any deposit of duties and taxes on the goods at customs offices en route. The carnets are issued by national transport associations (the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association in Britain) who act as guarantors for carnets issued to their members. The scheme is run under the auspices of the IRU (International Road Transport Union. Geneva).
Vehicles carrying goods under TIR carnet have to be built to certain constructional standards, so that sealing of the loads is effective: the scheme extends to goods carried in approved containers also.