With its 78 Contracting Parties and electronic procedure (eTIR), the UNECE-serviced TIR Convention is a flagship international agreement that establishes an international customs transit system that facilitates speedy and secure border crossing of goods.
Iraq will become the 66th country to operationalize the TIR system as of 1 April 2025, making the transport of goods more efficient, streamlined and reliable, and opening up prospects for efficient transit routes to, from and through the Islamic Republic of Iran, Türkiye, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Syria, and further to the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar, all of which are also TIR operational.
"The activation of the TIR system in Iraq will open up routes across the Middle East and make almost the entire Eurasian landmass - from China through Central Asia to Europe - TIR operational," noted UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean. "Most importantly, by ensuring greater connectivity between regional and international markets, it will help to boost trade and development."
Throughout the years, the application of the TIR Convention has enabled more than 34,000 transport and logistics companies in its 78 Contracting Parties to reduce cross-border transport time by up to 80% and costs by up to 38%.
Launched in 2021, eTIR can reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector by eliminating the need for physical TIR carnets and the associated logistics and paper production, including the queueing and waiting times at borders.
