By Kushal Jeena /NEW DELHI
The Central government has appointed Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, FICCI, as guaranteeing association for the operation of TIR system in the country to facilitate free movement of goods under customs control across international border, without any cross border check.
Known as Transports Internationaux Routiers or international Road Transport, TIR is governed by the UN TIR Convention and is overseen by the UN Economic Commission for Europe. International Road Transport Union, Geneva manages the system.
“The TIR system 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,” said Sandeep Kumar, commissioner (Customs & EP), , Central Board of Excise and Customs under the finance ministry, told a select group of media.
He said the TIR system is the most broadly used international customs transition system, which facilitates seamless movement of goods with and amongst the contracting parties including India.
Known as Transports Internationaux Routiers or international Road Transport, TIR is governed by the UN TIR Convention and is overseen by the UN Economic Commission for Europe. International Road Transport Union, Geneva manages the system.
India acceded to this convention on June 15, 2017.
FICCI, an apex Indian trade body is already functioning as national guarantor for the operation of ATA Carnet System India. Kumar hailed government’s decision to sign the convention and appoint FICCI as national guarantor. It operates under international customs conventions administered worldwide by the World ATA Carnet Council in association with World Customs Organization.
Currently, 77 countries including India are part of ATA Carnet.
A FICCI statement says the organization has been backing this system since 1989, providing immense support to the industry while securing government’s revenue. A large number of Indian exporters are benefited and a number of ATA Carnets were issued by FICCI contributing to the growth of exports from India.