Facilitating international transit of goods

A modern and efficient customs administration is of critical importance for the better participation of countries in international trade because it helps to perform three major tasks: (1) it collects duties, which represent a sizeable part of government revenue in developing countries; (2) it is essential in the fight against the traffic in illegal products; and (3) it gathers trade statistics which are vital for policy-making.

In order to enable developing countries' transport operators to prosper in a liberalized market environment, it is essential to implement policies aimed at capacity-building and removing obstacles for operators. These policies are intrinsically linked to liberalization processes. All operators would benefit from a regulatory and promotional environment that gives them a reasonable chance of success. More efficient transportation services would also strongly benefit local importers and exporters. This approach is not to be confused with a call for restrictive or discriminatory measures that would impede the freedom of choice of users of transport and logistics services. It does, however, call for some streamlining of administrative and regulatory procedures, such as conditions for ship registration, taxation, etc. The extent to which outdated trade and transport procedures are preventing developing countries and emerging economies from competing on a level playing field with developed countries has already been shown in several forums. The international community should assist Governments of developing countries in streamlining such procedures while simultaneously ensuring that simpler trade and transport procedures help the enterprises of developing countries in improving their participation in world trade by ensuring fair access to efficient and cost-competitive transportation services.

The TIR road transit system based on the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention, 1975) is accepted by more than 40 countries worldwide.