Sunil K Mall, Commissioner of Customs at Nhava Sheva, Mumbai has said that Total Indicator Reading (TIR) will facilitate intermodal transport and act as enabling document to cross multiple international borders without any additional checks.
While addressing a webinar on ‘ATA & UN Carnet – Facilitates Free Movement of Goods Across Multiple International Borders’ — recently organised jointly by FICCI, Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Association in India (FFFAI), and International Road Transport Union (IRU), Mall said that TIR will further help to improve trade between India, Central Asia & CIS countries.
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.
“IRU will continue to support all stakeholders involved in the implementation of TIR and its electronic version eTIR in India. This will enable trade actors and Customs to benefit fully from the immense advantages provided by the TIR Convention which includes simplification of border crossing procedures, reduction of time and cost for the international movements of goods,” said Raphael Hirt, IRU Geneva.
“The International Road Transport Union was very pleased to acknowledge the interest shown by Indian exporting industry towards the TIR procedure, especially the efforts made by CBIC, FICCI and FFFAI to promote this trade facilitation tool,” added Hirt.
The webinar was also attended by AV Vijaykumar, Chairman, FFFAI, PS Pruthi, Senior Consultant, FICCI & Former Member Customs Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT), as well as other freight forwarding and shipping companies, exporters from various sectors, and fair and exhibition organisers. The experts discussed issues involved with respect to temporary imports of goods.
Sharing his experience as the first TIR holder in India Shankar Shinde, President-Elect, FFFAI said, “Customs procedures in India should be further simplified under TIR to benefit large traders and exporters in India.”
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.
