TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers), or International Road Transport, is a system of international transportation regulated by various conventions, agreements, and intergovernmental treaties. At the core of this system is the customs convention, along with a special document, the TIR carnet. The holder of this carnet has the right to transport goods in a sealed vehicle across borders, simplifying the customs process. While this does not mean automatic passage without checks, customs officers are allowed to inspect the cargo and, if everything is in order, apply a new seal and make an entry in the TIR carnet, allowing the transport to continue. This system provides certain advantages, as customs duties are paid regardless of whether the cargo reaches its final destination. The TIR system has been in operation for over half a century and is confirmed through the issuance of TIR carnets by national associations. Currently, the guarantee for customs duties amounts to 60,000 euros.
Regarding CMR (Convention Relative au Contrat de Transport International de Marchandise par Route), or the Convention on the International Carriage of Goods by Road, it serves as an international transport document that includes all the necessary details about a specific shipment, such as information about the sender, recipient, cargo, its condition, and route to customs. The CMR can be considered a tripartite agreement between the sender, carrier, and recipient, with each party receiving an original of the document. The key when filling out the CMR is ensuring that the information matches the other transport documents. In international logistics, both TIR and CMR play a crucial role in safeguarding the process. It is important to note that insurance coverage differs between the two: TIR regulates carrier liability, while CMR provides coverage for financial risks, and they are not interchangeable.
Here are a few examples of how TIR and CMR systems are used in international transport:
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Grain Transport from Ukraine to Poland via the TIR System A Ukrainian agricultural company contracts to export grain to Poland. The grain is loaded into specialized grain carriers, which are sealed at the point of departure. Since the company has a TIR carnet, this allows for quicker border crossings, including the Ukrainian-Polish border, without long customs inspections. If Polish customs decides to inspect the cargo, after the inspection, a new seal is applied, and the transport continues with the TIR carnet as confirmation.
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Goods Transport under CMR from Germany to Ukraine A Ukrainian importer orders industrial equipment from Germany, and the transport is carried out by road. A CMR international transport document is issued, listing all the details about the cargo, including weight, volume, cost, and information about the sender and recipient. The driver receives one copy, the second is handed to the recipient after delivery, and the third is kept by the carrier for reporting purposes.
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Cargo Insurance under CMR Suppose, during the transportation of grain from Ukraine to Italy via Romania, the vehicle has an accident and part of the cargo is damaged. In this case, the CMR serves as a legal document to assess the damages and record the cargo’s condition at the time of delivery. The insurance company uses the information in the CMR to calculate compensation for the lost or damaged grain.