Chabahar port important for expanding TIR system in region: Iran customs

July 29, 2021: Addressing a webinar on 'International Trade Facilitation under "ATA Carnet" & "UN TIR" system', organized by FICCI, jointly with PLEXCONCIL, Mostafa Ayati, senior advisor to president of customs in TIR & Transit, Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) said, "Chabahar is very important for expanding the TIR system in the region especially for all Indian traders and merchants to export their goods to CIS countries and north of Europe and Iran customs administration has made all infrastructure ready to facilitate trade and transit in the corridor."

While sharing Iran's experience on TIR for the last many years, Behnam - Faramarzian, head of TIR & ATA department, Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) said, "Role of TIR transport becoming more crucial and vital for harmonized customs operations."

Satyajit Mohanty, joint secretary & commissioner of customs, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) noted that carnets help in obviating the need to follow varying customs documentation procedures in each country and eliminate the need for furnishing the customs duties, bonds, bank guarantees etc. for temporary admission.

Mohanty said, "ATA Carnet & UN TIR systems have several outstanding trade facilitative features and really standout as international best practices".

"ATA Carnet and UN TIR are not only trade facilitative but also help customs not just in securing the revenues but also in making the life simpler and in the expeditious clearance of goods. Carnets thus save time, save effort and save money both for the trade as wells as for the customs," he added.

Arvind Goenka, chairman, PLEXCONCIL mentioned that ATA Carnet System is one of the most user-friendly system of temporary importation and acts as a key instrument for promoting international trade. "With a minimum of effort and expense, Indian firms can enjoy the benefits of an ATA Carnet from FICCI and join hundreds of Carnet users whose merchandise, valued at over 1 crore travels the world on a Carnet," he added.

Raphael Hirt, project manager, IRU spoke on the importance of TIR system under the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for trade with India, Iran, CIS countries, Central Asia and Europe.

PS Pruthi, senior consultant, FICCI presented the salient features of ATA Carnet & UN TIR system while Parham Rezaei, deputy president, Iran India Joint Chamber of Commerce talked about the importance of INSTC corridor.

Madhukar Tripathi, head-Marketing & Sales, Anritsu India Pvt Ltd, Mr Armin Dostkhah, General Manager, Iran Pooyesh Khorasan Int'l Trans Company & Ms Soheila Mahmoudi, General Manager, Tay Freight presented the case study on ATA Carnet and UN TIR system based on their experiences.

ATA Carnet is a temporary admission document, which simplifies the customs procedures and clearances in a foreign country, without paying duty or a bank guarantee for temporary import into that country. Like a passport for goods, ATA Carnet allows for the goods for which it was issued to enter any of the participating countries for up to one year. An ATA Carnet holder can avoid customs declaration and can do away with security deposit or guarantee in the country of temporary importation.

TIR aims to facilitate the international transport of goods under customs seal with a maximum coverage. The system provides a guarantee covering the customs taxes and duties at risk which is required to pass transit countries and provides a balance between the responsibilities of the customs authorities and the international business community. It prevents delays in border crossing operations- by minimizing the formalities decreases the transportation costs, as a result, encourages the development of international trade.

FICCI is the sole national Issuing & Guaranteeing Association (NIGA) for the operation of ATA Carnet & UN TIR system in India and has been closely working with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) for the smooth operation of system in the country.