The Iraqi General Authority of Customs announced that it has received the first shipment of the "International Land Transport System" (TIR), coming from Syria towards Kuwait through the Al-Waleed crossing, which is opposite the "Al-Tanf" crossing on the Syrian border.
In a statement on Tuesday (May 12th), the Iraqi General Authority of Customs described the operation as "a qualitative achievement that reflects the growing role of Iraq as a regional hub for international transport and trade, according to the Iraqi News Agency (WAA).
The Customs Authority added that it received the shipment after organizing its entry in accordance with the approved principled contexts, and conducting audits and verification of the documents and customs stamps of the shipment, in preparation for completing the necessary legal and customs procedures for its transit through Iraqi territory.
She indicated that the process of entering the cargo into the courtyards of the customs center was carried out under direct supervision and control, until all official requirements are completed, and in line with the controls and instructions in force for international transit traffic, while taking control measures that ensure the safety of goods and the smooth movement of goods with high efficiency.
The Iraqi Customs Authority described the receipt of the first shipment under the (TIR) system through the Al-Waleed port, "represents an important strategic step within Iraq's efforts to activate regional transport corridors, enhance trade linkages between neighbouring countries, as well as consolidate Iraq's position as an effective logistics and trade corridor in the region".
The statement pointed out that "the implementation of the global (TIR) system contributes to accelerating transit procedures and reducing operational time and costs, in parallel with enhancing customs control and raising the efficiency of compliance procedures, in line with the automation and modernization plans implemented by the General Authority of Customs."
10 Syrian crossings operating with the (TIR) system
Syria has been a member of the Convention on International Road Transport (TIR) since 2000, allowing it access to a global transit system that relies on simplifying customs procedures and securing the passage of trucks across borders.
The International Chamber of Commerce in Syria serves as the national guarantor and authorized authority to issue TIR Carnets, as well as coordinating between Syrian Customs and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in Geneva to ensure compliance with international standards.
Today, Syria relies on a network of land crossings that has been reactivated and modernized to secure freight and transit traffic under the TIR system, making it a practical part of regional and international trade corridors.
On the Syrian-Iraqi border, which is the most active corridor, there are 3 main crossings: Al-Yarubiya-Rabia, which is dedicated to trade exchange, transit and crude oil, Al-Waleed, which witnessed the passage of the first Syrian trucks with the TIR system towards the Gulf countries, and Al-Bukamal, which is used for the transportation of goods and livestock.
On the northern border with Turkey, the crossings are witnessing increased traffic following the reorganization of land corridors between the two countries. These crossings include: Kasab, Bab al-Hawa, which is equipped to handle closed trucks, Bab al-Salama, in addition to Al-Rai, Jarablus and Tal Abyad, which are dedicated to commercial shipping, while the Nusaybin-Qamishli crossing is undergoing logistical rehabilitation operations to facilitate the flow of transit from Turkey through Syria to Iraq.
On the Syrian-Jordanian border, the Nasib-Jaber crossing remains legally active within the TIR system, although part of the movement of livestock freight has shifted to the Iraqi corridor to avoid additional fees imposed by the Jordanian side.
What is the TIR System
The TIR system aims to make cross-border trade faster and safer, by simplifying customs procedures within the framework of the 1975 United Nations Convention and is based on a set of principles that ensure smooth transit from the country of origin to the country of destination without disruption or frequent inspections.
Under this system, the trucks and containers used are secured and sealed by customs in a way that prevents access to or tampering with the goods, and the participating countries adopt the principle of mutual recognition of control, so that they are limited to inspections carried out in the country of export, while the right to use the system is granted only to bodies and companies that meet strict standards to ensure compliance and safety.
On a practical level, TIR delivers significant benefits: it reduces wait times at the border by up to 80% and reduces transportation costs by 38% by reducing delays and eliminating local safeguards.