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embedded in this document  
►B COUNCIL DECISION  
of 28 May 2009  
publishing in consolidated form the text of the Customs Convention on the international transport 
of goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention) of 14 November 1975 as amended since that 
date 
(2009/477/EC)  
(OJ L 165, 26.6.2009, p. 1)  
Amended by:  
Official Journal  
No page  date  
►M1 Amendment to the Customs Convention on the international trans port 
of goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention) of 14 Nove mber 
1975 (  1 ) L 125  1  21.5.2010  
►M2 Amendment to the Customs Convention on the International Trans port 
of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975 (  1 )) L 66  1  6.3.2012  
►M3 Amendment to the Customs Convention on the international trans port 
of goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention, 1975 (  1 )) L 244  1  8.9.2012  
►M4 Amendment to the Customs Convention on the International Trans port 
of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975 (  1 )) L 245  3  14.9.2013  
►M5 Amendment to the Customs Convention on the International Trans port 
of Goods Under the Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975)  L 346  1  2.12.2014  
►M6 Amendment to the Customs Convention on the International Trans port 
of Goods Under the Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975)  L 321  3 1  29.11.2016  
►M7 Amendments to the Customs Convention on the International Tran sport 
of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention 1975)  L 99  1  19.4.2018  
►M8 Amendments to the Customs Convention on the International Tran sport 
of goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention 1975)  L 296  1  22.11.2018  
►M9 Amendments to the Customs Convention on the International Tran sport 
of goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention 1975)  L 193  1  1.6.2021  
►M10  Amendments to the Customs Convention on the International Tran sport 
of goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention 1975)  L 331  1  20.9.2021  
Corrected by:  
►C1 Corrigendum, OJ L 243, 27.9.2018, p. 21 (2009/477/EC)  02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 1  
( 1 ) Consolidated text published by Council Decision 2009/477/EC ( OJ L 165, 26.6.2009, p. 1).
02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 2  
COUNCIL DECISION  
of 28 May 2009  
publishing in consolidated form the text of the Customs Convention 
on the international transport of goods under cover of TIR carnets 
(TIR Convention) of 14 November 1975 as amended since that date  
(2009/477/EC)  
Article 1  
The text of the Customs Convention on the international transpo rt of 
goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention) of 14 Novembe r 
1975 as amended since then until the end of 2008 is hereby publ ished 
for information purposes in consolidated form in the Annex to t his 
Decision.  
Future amendments to the Convention shall be published by the 
Commission in the  Official Journal of the European Union  indicating 
their date of entry into force.  
Article 2  
This Decision shall take effect on the day of its publication i n the  
Official Journal of the European Union . ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 3  
ANNEX  
CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT OF GOODS 
UNDER COVER OF TIR CARNETS (TIR CONVENTION, 1975)  
Note: Only the text of the Convention and its Annexes kept in custody by the 
Secretary General of the United Nations in his capacity as depositary of 
the TIR Convention constitute the authentic versions of the TIR 
Convention and its Annexes. This publication is issued for information 
purposes only.  
THE CONTRACTING PARTIES,  
DESIRING to facilitate the international carriage of goods by r oad vehicle,  
CONSIDERING that the improvement of the conditions of transport  constitutes 
one of the factors essential to the development of cooperation among them,  
DECLARING themselves in favour of a simplification and a harmon isation of 
administrative formalities in the field of international transp ort, in particular at 
frontiers,  
HAVE AGREED as follows:  
CHAPTER I  
GENERAL  
(a) Definitions  
Article 1  
For the purposes of this Convention:  
(a) The term ‘TIR transport’ shall mean the transport of goods from a Customs 
office of departure to a Customs office of destination under th e procedure, 
called the TIR procedure, laid down in this Convention;  
(b) the term ‘TIR operation’ shall mean the part of a TIR trans port that is 
carried out in a Contracting Party from a Customs office of dep arture or 
entry ( en route ) to a Customs office of destination or exit ( en route ); 
(c) the term ‘start of a TIR operation’ shall mean that the roa d vehicle, the 
combination of vehicles or the container have been presented fo r purposes of 
control to the Customs office of departure or entry ( en route ) together with 
the load and the TIR Carnet relating thereto and that the TIR C arnet has 
been accepted by the Customs office;  
(d) the term ‘termination of a TIR operation’ shall mean that t he road vehicle, 
the combination of vehicles or the container have been presente d for 
purposes of control to the Customs office of destination or of exit ( en 
route ) together with the load and the TIR Carnet relating thereto;  
(e) the term ‘discharge of a TIR operation’ shall mean the reco gnition by 
Customs authorities that the TIR operation has been terminated correctly 
in a Contracting Party. This is established by the Customs auth orities on 
the basis of a comparison of the data or information available at the Customs 
office of destination or exit ( en route ) and that available at the Customs 
office of departure or entry ( en route ); 
(f) the term ‘import or export duties and taxes’ shall mean Cus toms duties and 
all other duties, taxes, fees and other charges which are colle cted on, or in 
connection with, the import or export of goods, but not includi ng fees and 
charges limited in amount to the approximate cost of services r endered;  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 4  
(g) the term ‘road vehicle’ shall mean not only any power-drive n road vehicle 
but also any trailer or semi-trailer designed to be coupled the reto; 
(h) the term ‘combination of vehicles’ shall mean coupled vehic les which travel 
on the road as a unit;  
(j) the term ‘container’ shall mean an article of transport equ ipment (lift-van, 
movable tank or other similar structure):  
(i) fully or partially enclosed to constitute a compartment int ended for 
containing goods;  
(ii) of a permanent character and accordingly strong enough to be suitable 
for repeated use;  
(iii) specially designed to facilitate the transport of goods b y one or more 
modes of transport without intermediate reloading;  
(iv) designed for ready handling, particularly when being trans ferred from 
one mode of transport to another;  
(v) designed to be easy to fill and to empty, and  
(vi) having an internal volume of one cubic metre or more,  
‘demountable bodies’ are to be treated as containers;  
(k) the term ‘Customs office of departure’ shall mean any Custo ms office of a 
Contracting Party where the TIR transport of a load or part loa d of goods 
begins;  
(l) the term ‘Customs office of destination’ shall mean any Cus toms office of a 
Contracting Party where the TIR transport of a load or part loa d of goods 
ends;  
(m) the term ‘Customs office  en route ’ shall mean any Customs office of a 
Contracting Party through which a road vehicle, combination of vehicles 
or container enters or leaves this Contracting Party in the cou rse of a TIR 
transport;  
(n) the term ‘person’ shall mean both natural and legal persons ; 
(o) the term ‘holder’ of a TIR Carnet shall mean the person to who m a TIR Carnet 
has been issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of t he Convention 
and on whose behalf a Customs declaration has been made in the form of a TIR 
Carnet indicating a wish to place goods under the TIR procedure  at the 
Customs office of departure. He shall be responsible for presen tation of the 
road vehicle, the combination of vehicles or the container toge ther with the load 
and the TIR Carnet relating thereto at the Customs office of de parture, the 
Customs office  en route  and the Customs office of destination and for due 
observance of the other relevant provisions of the Convention;  
(p) the term ‘heavy or bulky goods’ shall mean any heavy or bul ky object 
which because of its weight, size or nature is not normally car ried in a 
closed vehicle or closed container;  
(q) the term ‘guaranteeing association’ shall mean an associati on 
►M3 authorised ◄ by the Customs authorities  ►M8 or other competent 
authorities ◄ of a Contracting Party to act as  ►M3 guarantor ◄ for 
persons using the TIR procedure;  
▼M3 
(r) the term ‘international organisation’ shall mean an organis ation authorised 
by the Administrative Committee to take on responsibility for t he effective 
organisation and functioning of an international guarantee syst em ; 
▼M10  
(s) the term ‘eTIR procedure’ shall mean the TIR procedure, imp lemented by 
means of electronic exchange of data, providing the functional equivalent to 
the TIR Carnet. Whereas the provisions of the TIR Convention ap ply, the 
specifics of the eTIR procedure are defined in Annex 11.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 5  
(b) Scope  
Article 2  
This Convention shall apply to the transport of goods without i ntermediate 
reloading, in road vehicles, combinations of vehicles or in con tainers, across 
one or more frontiers between a Customs office of departure of one Contracting 
Party and a Customs office of destination of another or of the same Contracting 
Party, provided that some portion of the journey between the be ginning and the 
end of the TIR transport is made by road.  
Article 3  
For the provisions of this Convention to become applicable:  
(a) the transport operation must be performed:  
(i) by means of road vehicles, combinations of vehicles or cont ainers 
previously approved under the conditions set forth in Chapter I II (a), or  
(ii) by means of other road vehicles, other combinations of veh icles or other 
containers under the conditions set forth in Chapter III (c), o r 
(iii) by road vehicles or special vehicles such as buses, crane s, sweepers, 
concrete-laying machines, etc. exported and therefore themselve s 
considered as goods travelling by their own means from a Custom s 
office of departure to a Customs office of destination under th e 
conditions set forth in Chapter III (c). In case such vehicles are 
carrying other goods, the conditions as referred to under (i) o r (ii) 
above shall apply accordingly;  
▼M10  
(b) the transport operations must be guaranteed by associations  authorized in 
accordance with the provisions of Article 6. They must be perfo rmed 
under cover of a TIR Carnet, which shall conform to the model r eproduced 
in Annex 1 to this Convention or be carried out by the eTIR pro cedure.  
▼B 
(c) Principles  
Article 4  
Goods carried under the TIR procedure shall not be subjected to  the payment or 
deposit of import or export duties and taxes at Customs offices  en route . 
Article 5  
1. Goods carried under the TIR procedure in sealed road vehicle s, combi­
nations of vehicles or containers shall not as a general rule b e subjected to 
examination at Customs offices  en route . 
2. However, to prevent abuses, Customs authorities may in excep tional cases, 
and particularly when irregularity is suspected, carry out an e xamination of the 
goods at such offices.  
CHAPTER II  
ISSUE OF TIR CARNETS  
LIABILITY OF GUARANTEEING ASSOCIATIONS  
Article 6  
1. Each Contracting Party may authorise associations to issue T IR Carnets, 
either directly or through corresponding associations, and to a ct as guarantors, as 
long as the minimum conditions and requirements, as laid down i n Annex 9, Part 
I, are complied with. The authorisation shall be revoked if the  minimum 
conditions and requirements contained in Annex 9, Part I are no  longer fulfilled.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 6  
2. An association shall not be  ►M8 authorized ◄ in any country unless its 
guarantee also covers the liabilities incurred in that country in connection with 
operations under cover of TIR Carnets issued by foreign associa tions affiliated to 
the same international organisation as that to which it is itse lf affiliated.  
▼M4 
2 bis. An international organisation shall be authorised by the Admi nistrative 
Committee to take on responsibility for the effective organisat ion and functioning 
of an international guarantee system. The authorisation shall b e granted as long 
as the organisation fulfils the conditions and requirements lai d down in Annex 9, 
Part III. The Administrative Committee may revoke the authorisa tion if these 
conditions and requirements are no longer fulfilled.  
▼B 
3. An association shall issue TIR Carnets only to persons whose  access to the 
TIR procedure has not been refused by the competent authorities  of Contracting 
Parties in which the person is resident or established.  
4. Authorisation for access to the TIR procedure shall be grant ed only to 
persons who fulfil the minimum conditions and requirements laid  down in 
Annex 9, Part II to this Convention. Without prejudice to Artic le 38, the auth­
orisation shall be revoked if the fulfilment of these criteria is no longer ensured.  
5. Authorisation for access to the TIR procedure shall be grant ed according to 
the procedure laid down in Annex 9, Part II to this Convention.  
Article 7  
TIR Carnet forms sent to the guaranteeing associations by the c orresponding 
foreign associations or by international organisations shall no t be liable to 
import and export duties and taxes and shall be free of import and export 
prohibitions and restrictions.  
Article 8  
▼M3 
1. The guaranteeing association shall undertake to pay up to th e maximum of 
the guaranteed amount of the import and export duties and taxes  together with 
any default interest due under the Customs laws and regulations  of the 
Contracting Party in which an irregularity leading up to a clai m against the 
guaranteeing association has been established in connection wit h a TIR operation. 
It shall be liable, jointly and severally with the persons from  whom the sums 
mentioned above are due, for payment of such sums.  
▼B 
2. In cases where the laws and regulations of a Contracting Par ty do not 
provide for payment of import or export duties and taxes as pro vided for in 
paragraph 1 above, the guaranteeing association shall undertake  to pay, under 
the same conditions, a sum equal to the amount of the import or  export duties 
and taxes and any default interest.  
3. Each Contracting Party shall determine the maximum sum per T IR Carnet, 
which may be claimed from the guaranteeing association on the b asis of the 
provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 above.  
4. The liability of the guaranteeing association to the authori ties of the country 
where the Customs office of departure is situated shall commenc e at the time 
when the TIR Carnet is accepted by the Customs office. In the s ucceeding 
countries through which goods are transported under the TIR pro cedure, this 
liability shall commence at the time when the goods enter these  countries or, 
where the TIR transport has been suspended under Article 26, pa ragraphs 1 and 
2, at the time when the TIR Carnet is accepted by the Customs o ffice where the 
TIR transport is resumed.  
5. The liability of the guaranteeing association shall cover no t only the goods 
which are enumerated in the TIR Carnet but also any goods which , though not 
enumerated therein, may be contained in the sealed section of t he road vehicle or 
in the sealed container. It shall not extend to any other goods . ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 7  
6. For the purpose of determining the duties and taxes mentione d in 
paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, the particulars of the good s as entered in 
the TIR Carnet shall, in the absence of evidence to the contrar y, be assumed to 
be correct.  
▼M3 __________  
▼B 
Article 9  
1. The guaranteeing association shall fix the period of validit y of the TIR 
Carnet by specifying a final date of validity after which the C arnet may not 
be presented for acceptance at the Customs office of departure.  
2. Provided that it has been accepted by the Customs office of departure on or 
before the final date of validity, as provided for in paragraph  1 of this Article, the 
Carnet shall remain valid until the termination of the TIR oper ation at the 
Customs office of destination.  
Article 10  
1. Discharge of a TIR operation has to take place without delay . 
2. When the Customs authorities of a  ►M3 Contracting Party ◄ have 
discharged a TIR operation they can no longer claim from the gu aranteeing 
association payment of the sums mentioned in Article 8, paragra phs 1 and 2, 
unless the certificate of termination of the TIR operation was obtained in an 
improper or fraudulent manner or no termination has taken place . 
Article 11  
▼M3 
1. Where a TIR operation has not been discharged, the competent  authorities 
shall:  
(a) notify the TIR carnet holder at his address indicated in th e TIR carnet of the 
non-discharge;  
(b) notify the guaranteeing association of the non-discharge.  
The competent authorities shall notify the guaranteeing associa tion with a 
maximum period of one year from the date of acceptance of the T IR carnet 
by those authorities or two years when the certificate of termi nation of the 
TIR operation was falsified or obtained in an improper or fraud ulent manner.  
2. Where the payment of the sums mentioned in Article 8, paragr aphs 1 and 2, 
becomes due, the competent authorities shall, so far as possibl e, require payment 
from the person or persons liable for such payment before makin g a claim 
against the guaranteeing association.  
3. The claim for payment of the sums referred to in Article 8, paragraphs 1 
and 2, shall be made against the guaranteeing association at th e earliest  
►M8 one month ◄ after the date on which the association was notifi ed that 
the operation had not been discharged or that the certificate o f termination of the 
TIR operation had been falsified or obtained in an improper or fraudulent manner 
and not more than two years after that date. However, in cases of TIR operations 
which, during the abovementioned period of two years, become th e subject of 
administrative or legal proceedings concerning the payment obli gation of the 
person or persons referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, a ny claim for 
payment shall be made within one year of the date on which the decision of 
the competent authorities or courts becomes enforceable.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 8  
4. The guaranteeing association shall pay the amounts claimed w ithin a period 
of three months from the date when a claim for payment is made against it.  
5. The sums paid shall be reimbursed to the guaranteeing associ ation if, within 
a two-year period following the date on which the claim for pay ment was made 
against it, it has been established to the satisfaction of the competent authorities 
that no irregularity was committed in connection with the TIR o peration in 
question. The two-year time limit may be extended in accordance  with 
national legislation.  
▼B 
CHAPTER III  
TRANSPORT OF GOODS UNDER TIR CARNET  
(a) Approval of vehicles and containers  
Article 12  
In order to fall within the provisions of sections (a) and (b) of this Chapter, every 
road vehicle must as regards its construction and equipment ful fil the conditions 
set out in Annex 2 to this Convention and must have been approv ed according to 
the procedure laid down in Annex 3 to this Convention. The Cert ificate of 
Approval shall conform to the specimen reproduced in Annex 4.  
Article 13  
1. To fall within the provisions of sections (a) and (b) of thi s Chapter, 
containers must be constructed in conformity with the condition s laid down in 
Part I of Annex 7 and must have been approved according to the procedure laid 
down in Part II of that Annex.  
2. Containers approved for the transport of goods under Customs  seal in 
accordance with the Customs Convention on Containers, 1956, the  agreements 
arising there from concluded under the auspices of the United N ations, the 
Customs Convention on Containers, 1972 or any international ins truments that 
may supersede or modify the latter Convention, shall be conside red as complying 
with the provisions of paragraph 1 above and must be accepted f or transport 
under the TIR procedure without further approval.  
Article 14  
1. Each Contracting Party reserves the right to refuse to recog nise the validity 
of the approval of road vehicles or containers which do not mee t the conditions 
set forth in Articles 12 and 13 above. Nevertheless, Contractin g Parties shall 
avoid delaying traffic when the defects found are of minor impo rtance and do not 
involve any risk of smuggling.  
2. Before it is used again for the transport of goods under Cus toms seal, any 
road vehicle or container which no longer meets the conditions which justified its 
approval, shall be either restored to its original state, or pr esented for re-approval.  ▼M3
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 9  
(b) Procedure for transport under cover of a TIR Carnet  
Article 15  
1. No special Customs documents shall be required in respect of  the 
temporary importation of a road vehicle, combination of vehicle s or container 
carrying goods under cover of the TIR procedure. No guarantee s hall be required 
for the road vehicle or combination of vehicles or container.  
2. The provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shall not prev ent a 
Contracting Party from requiring the fulfilment at the Customs office of desti­
nation of the formalities laid down by its national regulations  to ensure that, once 
the TIR operation has been completed, the road vehicle, the com bination of 
vehicles or the container will be re-exported.  
Article 16  
When a road vehicle or combination of vehicles is carrying out a TIR transport, 
one rectangular plate bearing the inscription ‘TIR’ and conform ing to the spec­
ifications given in Annex 5 to this Convention, shall be affixe d to the front and 
another to the rear of the road vehicle or combination of vehic les. These plates 
shall be so placed as to be clearly visible. They shall be remo vable or be fitted or 
designed in such a way that these plates can be reversed, cover ed, folded or 
indicate in any other manner that a TIR transport is not carrie d out.  
Article 17  
1. A single TIR Carnet shall be made out in respect of each roa d vehicle or 
container. However, a single TIR Carnet may be made out in resp ect of a 
combination of vehicles or for several containers loaded on to a single road 
vehicle or on to a combination of vehicles. In that case the TI R manifest of 
the goods covered by the TIR Carnet shall list separately the c ontents of each 
vehicle in the combination of vehicles or of each container.  
2. The TIR Carnet shall be valid for one journey only. It shall  contain at least 
the number of detachable vouchers which are necessary for the T IR transport in 
question.  
Article 18  
A TIR transport may involve several Customs offices of departur e and desti­
nation, but the total number of Customs offices of departure an d destination shall 
not exceed four. The TIR Carnet may only be presented to Custom s offices of 
destination if all Customs offices of departure have accepted t he TIR Carnet.  
Article 19  
The goods and the road vehicle, the combination of vehicles or the container shall 
be produced with the TIR Carnet at the Customs office of depart ure. The Customs 
authorities of the country of departure shall take such measure s as are necessary 
for satisfying themselves as to the accuracy of the goods manif est and either for 
affixing the Customs seals or for checking Customs seals affixe d under the respon­
sibility of the said Customs authorities by duly authorised per sons.  
Article 20  
For journeys in the territory of their country, the Customs aut horities may fix 
a time-limit and require the road vehicle, the combination of v ehicles or the 
container to follow a prescribed route.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 10  
Article 21  
At each Customs office  en route  and at Customs offices of destination, the road 
vehicle, the combination of vehicles or the container shall be produced for 
purposes of control to the Customs authorities together with th e load and the 
TIR Carnet relating thereto.  
Article 22  
1. As a general rule and except when they examine the goods in accordance 
with Article 5, paragraph 2, the Customs authorities of the Cus toms offices  en 
route  of each of the Contracting Parties shall accept the Customs se als of other 
Contracting Parties, provided that they are intact. The said Cu stoms authorities 
may, however, if control requirements make it necessary, add th eir own seals.  
2. The Customs seals thus accepted by a Contracting Party shall  have in the 
territory of that Contracting Party the benefit of the same leg al protection as is 
accorded to the national seals.  
Article 23  
The Customs authorities shall not:  
— require road vehicles, combinations of vehicles or containers  to be escorted at 
the carriers' expense on the territory of their country,  
— require examination  en route  of road vehicles, combinations of vehicles or 
containers and their loads,  
except in special cases.  
Article 24  
If the Customs authorities conduct an examination of the load o f a road vehicle, 
combination of vehicles or the container in the course of the j ourney or at a 
Customs office  en route , they shall record on the TIR Carnet vouchers used in 
their country, on the corresponding counterfoils, and on the vo uchers remaining 
in the TIR Carnet, particulars of the new seals affixed and of the controls carried 
out. 
Article 25  
If the Customs seals are broken  en route  otherwise than in the circumstances of 
Articles 24 and 35, or if any goods are destroyed or damaged wi thout breaking 
of such seals, the procedure laid down in Annex I to this Conve ntion for the use 
of the TIR Carnet shall, without prejudice to the possible appl ication of the 
provisions of national law, be followed and the certified repor t in the TIR 
Carnet shall be completed.  
Article 26  
1. When transport under cover of a TIR Carnet takes place in pa rt in the 
territory of a State which is not a Contracting Party to this C onvention, the 
TIR transport shall be suspended during that part of the journe y. In that case, 
the Customs authorities of the Contracting Party on whose terri tory the journey 
continues shall accept the TIR Carnet for the resumption of the  TIR transport, 
provided that the Customs seals and/or identifying marks have r emained intact. 
Where the Customs seals have not remained intact, the customs a uthorities may 
accept the TIR Carnet for resumption of the TIR transport under  the provisions 
of Article 25.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 11  
2. The same shall apply where for a part of the journey the TIR  Carnet is not 
used by the holder of the Carnet in the territory of a Contract ing Party because of 
the existence of simpler Customs transit procedures or when the  use of a 
Customs transit regime is not necessary.  
3. In such cases the Customs offices where the TIR transport is  suspended or 
resumed shall be deemed to be Customs offices of exit  en route  and Customs 
offices of entry  en route  respectively.  
Article 27  
Subject to the provisions of this Convention and in particular of Article 18, 
another Customs office of destination may be substituted for a Customs office 
of destination originally indicated.  
Article 28  
1. Termination of a TIR operation shall be certified by the Cus toms authorities 
without delay. Termination of a TIR operation may be certified without or with 
reservation: where termination is certified with reservation th is shall be on 
account of facts connected with the TIR operation itself. These  facts shall be 
clearly indicated in the TIR Carnet.  
2. In cases where the goods are placed under another Customs pr ocedure or 
another system of Customs control, all irregularities that may be committed under 
that other Customs procedure or system of Customs control shall  not be 
attributed to the TIR Carnet holder as such or any person actin g on his behalf.  
(c) Provisions concerning transport of heavy or bulky goods  
Article 29  
1. The provisions of this section apply only to the transport o f heavy or bulky 
goods as defined in Article 1, subparagraph (p), of this Conven tion. 
2. Where the provisions of this section apply, heavy or bulky g oods may, if 
the authorities at the Customs office of departure so decide, b e carried by means 
of non-sealed vehicles or containers.  
3. The provisions of this section shall apply only if, in the o pinion of the 
authorities at the Customs office of departure, the heavy or bu lky goods carried 
and any accessories carried with them can be easily identified by reference to the 
description given, or can be provided with Customs seals and/or  identifying 
marks so as to prevent any substitution, or removal of the good s, without it 
being obvious.  
Article 30  
All the provisions of this Convention, save those to which the special provisions 
of this section make an exception, shall apply to the transport  of heavy or bulky 
goods under the TIR procedure.  
Article 31  
The liability of the guaranteeing association shall cover not o nly the goods 
enumerated in the TIR Carnet, but also any goods which, though not enumerated 
in the Carnet, are on the load platform or among the goods enum erated in the 
TIR Carnet.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 12  
Article 32  
The cover and all vouchers of the TIR Carnet shall bear the end orsement ‘heavy or 
bulky goods’ in bold letters in English or in French.  
Article 33  
The authorities at the Customs office of departure may require such packing lists, 
photographs, drawings, etc., as are necessary for the identific ation of the goods 
carried to be appended to the TIR Carnet. In this case they sha ll endorse these 
documents, one copy of the said documents shall be attached to the inside of the 
cover page of the TIR Carnet, and all the manifests of the TIR Carnet shall 
include a reference to such documents.  
Article 34  
The authorities at the Customs offices  en route  of each of the Contracting Parties 
shall accept the Customs seals and/or identifying marks affixed  by the competent 
authorities of other Contracting Parties. They may, however, af fix additional seals 
and/or identifying marks; they shall record particulars of the new seals and/or 
identifying marks on the vouchers of the TIR Carnet used in the ir country, on 
the corresponding counterfoils and on the vouchers remaining in  the TIR Carnet.  
Article 35  
If Customs authorities conducting an examination of the load at  a Customs office  
en route  or in the course of the journey are obliged to break seals and /or remove 
identifying marks, they shall record the new seals and/or ident ifying marks on the 
vouchers of the TIR Carnet used in their country, on the corres ponding 
counterfoils and on the vouchers remaining in the TIR Carnet.  
CHAPTER IV  
IRREGULARITIES  
Article 36  
Any breach of the provisions of this Convention shall render th e offender liable, 
in the country where the offence was committed, to the penaltie s prescribed by 
the law of that country.  
Article 37  
When it is not possible to establish in which territory an irre gularity was 
committed, it shall be deemed to have been committed in the ter ritory of the 
Contracting Party where it is detected.  
Article 38  
▼M8 
1. Each of the Contracting Parties shall have the right to excl ude temporarily 
or permanently from the operation of this Convention any person  guilty of a 
serious or repeated offence against the customs laws or regulat ions applicable to 
the international transport of goods. The conditions in which t he offence against 
the customs laws or regulations is considered to be serious sha ll be decided by 
the Contracting Party.  
▼B 
2. This exclusion shall be notified within one week to the comp etent auth­
orities of the Contracting Party on whose territory the person concerned is 
established or resident, to the association(s) in the country o r Customs territory 
where the offence has been committed and to the TIR Executive B oard. ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 13  
Article 39  
When TIR operations are accepted as being otherwise in order:  
1. The Contracting Parties shall disregard minor discrepancies in the observance 
of time-limits or routes prescribed.  
2. Likewise, discrepancies between the particulars on the goods  manifest of the 
TIR Carnet and the actual contents of a road vehicle, combinati on of vehicles 
or container shall not be considered as infringements of the Co nvention by the 
holder of the TIR Carnet when evidence is produced to the satis faction of the 
competent authorities that these discrepancies were not due to mistakes 
committed knowingly or through negligence at the time when the goods 
were loaded or dispatched or when the manifest was made out.  
Article 40  
The Customs administrations of the countries of departure and o f destination 
shall not consider the holder of the TIR Carnet responsible for  the discrepancies 
which may be discovered in those countries, when the discrepanc ies in fact relate 
to the Customs procedures which preceded or followed a TIR tran sport and in 
which the holder was not involved.  
Article 41  
When it is established to the satisfaction of the Customs autho rities that goods 
specified on the manifest of a TIR Carnet have been destroyed o r have been 
irrecoverably lost by accident or  force majeure  or that they are short by reason of 
their nature, payment of the duties and taxes normally due shal l be waived.  
Article 42  
On receipt from a Contracting Party for a request giving the re levant reasons, the 
competent authorities of the Contracting Parties concerned in a  TIR transport 
shall furnish that Contracting Party with all the available inf ormation needed for 
implementation of the provisions of Articles 39, 40 and 41 abov e. 
Article 42  bis 
The competent authorities, in close cooperation with the associ ations, shall take 
all necessary measures to ensure the proper use of TIR Carnets.  To this effect 
they may take appropriate national and international control me asures. National 
control measures taken in this context by the competent authori ties shall be 
communicated immediately to the TIR Executive Board which will examine 
their conformity with the provisions of the Convention. Interna tional control 
measures shall be adopted by the Administrative Committee.  
Article 42  ter 
The competent authorities of the Contracting Parties shall, as appropriate, provide 
authorised associations with information that they require to f ulfil the undertaking 
given in accordance with Annex 9, part 1, Article 1(f)(iii).  
Annex 10 set out the information to be provided in particular c ases. ▼B
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CHAPTER V  
EXPLANATORY NOTES  
▼M10  
Article 43  
The Explanatory Notes set out in Annex 6, Annex 7, Part III, an d Annex 11, Part 
II interpret certain provisions of this Convention and its Anne xes. They also 
describe certain recommended practices.  
▼B 
CHAPTER VI  
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS  
Article 44  
Each Contracting Party shall provide the guaranteeing associati ons concerned 
with facilities for:  
(a) the transfer of the currency necessary for the sums claimed  by the authorities 
of Contracting Parties by virtue of the provisions of Article 8  of this 
Convention; and  
(b) the transfer of currency for payment for TIR Carnet forms s ent to the guar­
anteeing associations by the corresponding foreign associations  or by the 
international organisations.  
Article 45  
Each Contracting Party shall cause to be published the list of the Customs offices 
of departure, Customs offices  en route  and Customs offices of destination 
approved by it for accomplishing TIR operations. The Contractin g Parties of 
adjacent territories shall consult each other to agree upon cor responding 
frontier offices and upon their opening hours.  
Article 46  
1. No charge shall be made for Customs attendance in connection  with the 
Customs operations mentioned in this Convention, save where it is provided on 
days or at times or places other than those normally appointed for such 
operations.  
2. Contracting Parties shall arrange to the fullest extent poss ible for Customs 
operations concerning perishable goods at Customs offices to be  facilitated.  
Article 47  
1. The provisions of this Convention shall preclude neither the  application of 
restrictions and controls imposed under national regulations on  grounds of public 
morality, public security, hygiene or public health, or for vet erinary or phyto­
pathological reasons, nor the levy of dues chargeable by virtue  of such 
regulations.  
2. The provisions of this Convention shall not preclude the app lication of 
other provisions either national or international governing tra nsport.  ▼B
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Article 48  
Nothing in this Convention shall prevent Contracting Parties wh ich form a 
Customs or Economic Union from enacting special provisions in r espect of 
transport operations commencing or terminating, or passing thro ugh, their terri­
tories, provided that such provisions do not attenuate the faci lities provided for 
by this Convention.  
Article 49  
This Convention shall not prevent the application of greater fa cilities which 
Contracting Parties grant or may wish to grant either by unilat eral provisions 
or by virtue of bilateral or multilateral agreements provided t hat such facilities do 
not impede the application of the provisions of this Convention , and in particular, 
TIR operations.  
Article 50  
The Contracting Parties shall communicate to one another, on re quest, 
information necessary for implementing the provisions of this C onvention, and 
particularly information relating to the approval of road vehic les or containers 
and to the technical characteristics of their design.  
Article 51  
The Annexes to this Convention form an integral part of the Con vention.  
CHAPTER VII  
FINAL CLAUSES  
Article 52  
Signature, ratification, acceptance, approval and accession  
1. All States Members of the United Nations or members of any o f the 
specialised agencies or of the International Atomic Energy Agen cy or Parties 
to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, and any o ther State invited by 
the General Assembly of the United Nations, may become Contract ing Parties to 
this Convention:  
(a) by signing it without reservation of ratification, acceptan ce or approval;  
(b) by depositing an instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval after 
signing it subject to ratification, acceptance or approval; or  
(c) by depositing an instrument of accession.  
2. This Convention shall be open from 1 January 1976 until 1 De cember 1976 
inclusive for signature at the Office of the United Nations at Geneva by the 
States referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Thereafter i t shall be open for 
their accession.  
3. Customs or economic unions may, together with all their memb er States or 
at any time after all their member States have become Contracti ng Parties to this 
Convention, also become Contracting Parties to this Convention in accordance 
with the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. Howe ver, these unions 
shall not have the right to vote.  ▼B
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4. The instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or acc ession shall be 
deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.  
Article 53  
Entry into force  
1. This Convention shall enter into force six months after the date on which 
five States referred to in Article 52, paragraph 1, have signed  it without reser­
vation of ratification, acceptance or approval or have deposite d their instruments 
of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.  
2. After five States referred to in Article 52, paragraph 1, ha ve signed it 
without reservation of ratification, acceptance or approval, or  have deposited 
their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or acce ssion, this 
Convention shall enter into force for further Contracting Parti es six months 
after the date of the deposit of their instruments of ratificat ion, acceptance, 
approval or accession.  
3. Any instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or acce ssion deposited 
after the entry into force of an amendment to this Convention s hall be deemed to 
apply to this Convention as amended.  
4. Any such instrument deposited after an amendment has been ac cepted but 
before it has entered into force shall be deemed to apply to th is Convention as 
amended on the date when the amendment enters into force.  
Article 54  
Denunciation  
1. Any Contracting Party may denounce this Convention by so not ifying the 
Secretary-General of the United Nations.  
2. Denunciation shall take effect fifteen months after the date  of receipt by the 
Secretary-General of the notification of denunciation.  
3. The validity of TIR Carnets accepted by the Customs office o f departure 
before the date when the denunciation takes effect shall not be  affected thereby 
and the guarantee of the guaranteeing association shall hold go od in accordance 
with the provisions of this Convention.  
Article 55  
Termination  
If, after the entry into force of this Convention, the number o f States which are 
Contracting Parties is for any period of twelve consecutive mon ths reduced to 
less than five, the Convention shall cease to have effect from the end of the 
twelve-month period.  
Article 56  
Termination of the operation of the TIR Convention, 1959  
1. Upon its entry into force, this Convention shall terminate a nd replace, in 
relations between the Contracting Parties to this Convention, t he TIR 
Convention, 1959.  
2. Certificates of approval issued in respect of road vehicles and containers 
under the conditions of the TIR Convention, 1959, shall be acce pted during the 
period of their validity or any extension thereof for the trans port of goods under 
Customs seal by Contracting Parties to this Convention, provide d that such 
vehicles and containers continue to fulfil the conditions under  which they were 
originally approved.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 17  
Article 57  
Settlement of disputes  
1. Any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties concerni ng the inter­
pretation or application of this Convention shall, so far as po ssible be settled by 
negotiation between them or other means of settlement.  
2. Any dispute between two or more Contracting Parties concerni ng the inter­
pretation or application of this Convention which cannot be set tled by the means 
indicated in paragraph 1 of this Article shall, at the request of one of them, be 
referred to an arbitration tribunal composed as follows: each P arty to the dispute 
shall appoint an arbitrator and these arbitrators shall appoint  another arbitrator, 
who shall be chairman. If, three months after receipt of a requ est, one of the 
Parties has failed to appoint an arbitrator or if the arbitrato rs have failed to elect 
the chairman, any of the Parties may request the Secretary-Gene ral of the United 
Nations to appoint an arbitrator or the chairman of the arbitra tion tribunal.  
3. The decision of the arbitration tribunal established under t he provisions of 
paragraph 2 shall be binding on the Parties to the dispute.  
4. The arbitration tribunal shall determine its own rules of pr ocedure.  
5. Decisions of the arbitration tribunal shall be taken by majo rity vote.  
6. Any controversy which may arise between the Parties to the d ispute as 
regards the interpretation and execution of the award may be su bmitted by any 
of the Parties for judgment to the arbitration tribunal which m ade the award.  
Article 58  
Reservations  
1. Any State may, at the time of signing, ratifying or acceding  to this 
Convention, declare that it does not consider itself bound by A rticle 57, 
paragraphs 2 to 6, of this Convention. Other Contracting Partie s shall not be 
bound by these paragraphs in respect of any Contracting Party w hich has entered 
such a reservation.  
2. Any Contracting Party having entered a reservation as provid ed for in 
paragraph 1 of this Article may at any time withdraw such reser vation by 
notifying the Secretary-General of the United Nations.  
3. Apart from the reservations provided for in paragraph 1 of t his Article, no 
reservation to this Convention shall be permitted.  
Article 58  bis 
Administrative Committee  
An Administrative Committee composed of all the Contracting Par ties shall be 
established. Its composition, functions and rules of procedure are set out in 
Annex 8.  
Article 58  ter 
TIR Executive Board  
The Administrative Committee shall establish a TIR Executive Bo ard as a 
subsidiary body which will, on its behalf, fulfil the tasks ent rusted to it by the 
Convention and by the Committee. Its composition, functions and  rules of 
procedure are set out in Annex 8.  ▼B
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Article 58  quater  
Technical Implementation Body  
A Technical Implementation Body shall be established. Its compo sition, 
functions and rules of procedure are set out in Annex 11.  
Article 59  
Procedure for amending this Convention  
1. This Convention, including its Annexes, may be amended upon the 
proposal of a Contracting Party by the procedure specified in t his Article.  
2. Except as provided for under Articles 60 bis, any proposed a mendment to 
this Convention shall be considered by the Administrative Commi ttee composed 
of all the Contracting Parties in accordance with the rules of procedure set out in 
Annex 8. Any such amendment considered or prepared during the m eeting of the 
Administrative Committee and adopted by it by a two-thirds majo rity of the 
members present and voting shall be communicated by the Secreta ry-General 
of the United Nations to the Contracting Parties for their acce ptance.  
3. Except as provided for under Articles 60 and 60 bis, any pro posed 
amendment communicated in accordance with the preceding paragra ph shall 
come into force with respect to all Contracting Parties three m onths after the 
expiry of a period of twelve months following the date of commu nication of the 
proposed amendment during which period no objection to the prop osed 
amendment has been communicated to the Secretary-General of the  United 
Nations by a State which is a Contracting Party.  
4. If an objection to the proposed amendment has been communica ted in 
accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article, the amendment shal l be deemed 
not to have been accepted and shall have no effect whatsoever.  
▼B 
Article 60  
Special procedure for amending Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10  
1. Any proposed amendment to Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 
considered in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 59 shall come 
into force on a date to be determined by the Administrative Com mittee at the 
time of its adoption, unless by a prior date determined by the Administrative 
Committee at the same time, one-fifth or five of the States whi ch are Contracting 
Parties, whichever number is less, notify the Secretary-General  of the United 
Nations of their objection to the amendment. Determination by t he Administra­
tive Committee of the dates referred to in this paragraph shall  be by a two-thirds 
majority of those present and voting.  
2. On entry into force, any amendment adopted in accordance wit h the 
procedures set out in paragraph 1 above shall for all Contracti ng Parties 
replace and supersede any previous provisions to which the amen dment refers.  
▼M10  
Article 60  bis 
Special procedure for the entry into force of Annex 11 and amendments 
thereto  
1. Annex 11, considered in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 o f Article 59 
shall come into force with respect to all Contracting Parties t hree months after 
the expiry of a period of twelve months following the date of c ommunication by 
the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Contracting Parties, except for 
those Contracting Parties that have notified the Secretary-Gene ral in writing, 
within the aforementioned period of three months of their non-a cceptance of 
Annex 11. Annex 11 shall enter into force for Contracting Parti es which 
withdraw their notification of non-acceptance six months after the date on 
which withdrawal of such notification has been received by the depositary.  ▼M10
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2. Any proposed amendment to Annex 11 shall be considered by th e Admin­
istrative Committee. Such amendments shall be adopted by a majo rity of the 
Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 present and voting.  
3. Amendments to Annex 11 considered and adopted in accordance with 
paragraph 2 of this Article shall be communicated by the Secret ary-General of 
the United Nations to all Contracting Parties for information o r, for those 
Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11, acceptance.  
4. The date of entry into force of such amendments shall be det ermined at the 
time of their adoption, by a majority of the Contracting Partie s bound by 
Annex 11 present and voting.  
5. Amendments shall enter into force in accordance with paragra ph 4 of this 
Article unless by a prior date determined at the time of adopti on, one-fifth or five 
of the States which are Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11, whichever 
number is less, notify the Secretary-General of their objection  to the amendments.  
6. On entry into force, any amendment adopted in accordance wit h the 
procedures set out in paragraphs 2 to 5 of this Article shall f or all Contracting 
Parties bound by Annex 11 replace and supersede any previous pr ovisions to 
which the amendment refers.  
Article 61  
Requests, communications and objections  
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform all Co ntracting Parties 
and all States referred to in Article 52, paragraph 1 of this C onvention of any 
request, communication, or objection under Articles 59, 60 and 60 bis above and 
of the date on which any amendment enters into force.  
▼B 
Article 62  
Review Conference  
1. Any State which is a Contracting Party may, by notification to the 
Secretary-General of the United Nations, request that a confere nce be 
convened for the purpose of reviewing this Convention.  
2. A review conference to which all Contracting Parties and all  States referred 
to in Article 52, paragraph 1, shall be invited, shall be conve ned by the 
Secretary-General of the United Nations if, within a period of six months 
following the date of notification by the Secretary-General, no t less than 
one-fourth of the States which are Contracting Parties notify h im of their 
concurrence with the request.  
3. A review conference to which all Contracting Parties and all  States referred 
to in Article 52, paragraph 1, shall be invited shall also be c onvened by the 
Secretary-General of the United Nations upon notification of a request by the 
Administrative Committee. The Administrative Committee shall ma ke a request 
if agreed to by a majority of those present and voting in the C ommittee.  
4. If a conference is convened in pursuance of paragraphs 1 or 3 of this 
Article, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall so a dvise all the 
Contracting Parties and invite them to submit, within a period of three months, 
the proposals which they wish the conference to consider. The S ecretary-General 
of the United Nations shall circulate to all Contracting Partie s the provisional 
agenda for the conference, together with the texts of such prop osals, at least three 
months before the date on which the conference is to meet.  ▼M10
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Article 63  
Notifications  
In addition to the notifications and communications provided fo r in Articles 61 
and 62, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall notif y all the States 
referred to in Article 52 of the following:  
(a) signatures, ratifications, acceptances, approvals and acces sions under 
Article 52;  
(b) the dates of entry into force of this Convention in accorda nce with 
Article 53;  
(c) denunciations under Article 54;  
(d) the termination of this Convention under Article 55;  
(e) reservations under Article 58.  
Article 64  
Authentic text  
After 31 December 1976, the original of this Convention shall b e deposited with 
the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall transmit  certified true 
copies to each of the Contracting Parties and to the States ref erred to in 
Article 52, paragraph 1, which are not Contracting Parties.  ▼B
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ANNEX 1  
MODEL OF THE TIR CARNET  
Version 1  
1. The TIR Carnet is printed in French except for page 1 of the  cover where the 
items are also printed in English. The ‘Rules regarding the Use  of the TIR 
Carnet’ given in French on page 2 of the cover are also printed  in English on 
page 3 of the cover. The ‘Certified Report’ may also appear, on  its reverse 
side, in a language other than French, as may be appropriate.  
2. Carnets used for TIR operations within a regional guarantee chain may be 
printed in any other official language of the United Nations ex cept for page 1 
of the cover where the items are also printed in English or Fre nch. The 
‘Rules regarding the Use of the TIR Carnet’ are printed on page  2 of the 
cover in the official language of the United Nations used and a re also printed 
in English or French on page 3 of the cover.  
Version 2  
3. For the transport of tobacco and alcohol for which an increa sed guarantee 
may be claimed from the guaranteeing association, in line with Annex 6, 
Explanatory Note 0.8.3, Customs authorities shall request TIR C arnets to be 
clearly marked ‘TOBACCO/ALCOHOL’ and ‘TABAC/ALCOOL’ on the 
cover and on all vouchers. In addition, these Carnets must prov ide details, 
at least in English and French, on the categories of tobacco an d alcohol 
guaranteed, on a separate sheet inserted into the Carnet follow ing page 2 
of the cover of the Carnet.  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 1
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 1
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 1
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 1
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 1
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 1
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 2
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 2
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 2
  
► (1) (2) (3)  M5 ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 2
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 2
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 2
  ▼B
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Model of the TIR Carnet:  
VERSION 2
  ▼B
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ANNEX 2  
REGULATIONS ON TECHNICAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ROAD 
VEHICLES WHICH MAY BE ACCEPTED FOR INTERNATIONAL 
TRANSPORT UNDER CUSTOMS SEAL  
Article 1  
Basic principles  
Approval for the international transport of goods under Customs  seal may be 
granted only to vehicles, the load compartments of which are co nstructed and 
equipped in such a manner that:  
(a) no goods can be removed from or introduced into, the sealed  part of the 
vehicle without leaving obvious traces of tampering or without breaking the 
Customs seal;  
(b) Customs seals can be simply and effectively affixed to them ; 
(c) they contain no concealed spaces where goods may be hidden;  
(d) all spaces capable of holding goods are readily accessible for Customs 
inspection.  
Article 2  
Structure of load compartments  
1. To meet the requirements of Article 1 of these Regulations:  
(a) the constituent parts of the load compartment (sides, floor , doors, roof, 
uprights, frames, cross-pieces, etc.) shall be assembled either  by means of 
devices which cannot be removed and replaced from the outside w ithout 
leaving obvious traces or by such methods as will produce a str ucture 
which cannot be modified without leaving obvious traces. When t he sides, 
floor, doors and roof are made up of various components, these shall meet 
the same requirements and be of sufficient strength;  
(b) doors and all other closing systems (including stopcocks, m anhole-covers, 
flanges etc.) shall be fitted with a device on which Customs se als can be 
fixed. This device must be such that it cannot be removed and r eplaced from 
the outside without leaving obvious traces, or the door or fast ening be 
opened without breaking the Customs seals. The latter shall be adequately 
protected. Opening roofs shall be permitted;  
(c) apertures for ventilation and drainage shall be provided wi th a device 
preventing access to the interior of the load compartment. This  device 
must be such that it cannot be removed and replaced from the ou tside 
without leaving obvious traces.  
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 1(c) of these Regu lations, 
constituent parts of the load compartment which, for practical reasons, have to 
include empty spaces (for example, between the partitions of a double wall) shall 
be permitted. In order that the said spaces cannot be used to c onceal goods:  
(i) where it covers the full height from floor to roof, or, in other cases, where 
the space between it and the outer wall is completely enclosed,  the lining 
inside the load compartment shall be so fitted that it cannot b e removed and 
replaced without leaving obvious traces; and  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 36  
(ii) where a lining is of less than full height and the spaces between the lining 
and the outer wall are not completely enclosed, and in all othe r cases where 
spaces occur in the construction of a load compartment, the num ber of such 
spaces shall be kept to a minimum and these spaces shall be rea dily 
accessible for Customs inspection.  
3. Windows shall be allowed provided that they are made of mate rials of 
sufficient strength and that they cannot be removed and replace d from the 
outside without leaving obvious traces. Glass may nevertheless be permitted, 
but if glass other than safety glass is used, the windows shall  be fitted with a 
fixed metal grille which cannot be removed from the outside; th e mesh of the 
grille shall not exceed 10 mm.  
4. Openings made in the floor for technical purposes, such as l ubrication, 
maintenance and filling of the sand-box, shall be allowed only on condition 
that they are fitted with a cover capable of being fixed in suc h a way as to 
render the load compartment inaccessible from the outside.  
Article 3  
Sheeted vehicles  
1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of thes e Regulations 
shall apply to sheeted vehicles. In addition, these vehicles sh all conform to the 
provisions of this Article.  
2. The sheet shall be either of strong canvas or of plastic-cov ered or 
rubberised cloth, which shall be of sufficient strength and uns tretchable. It 
shall be in good condition and made up in such a way that once the closing 
device has been secured, it is impossible to gain access to the  load compartment 
without leaving obvious traces.  
3. If the sheet is made up of several pieces, their edges shall  be folded into 
one another and sewn together with two seams at least 15 mm apa rt. These 
seams shall be made as shown in sketch No 1 appended to these R egulations; 
however, where in the case of certain parts of the sheet (such as flaps and 
reinforced corners) it is not possible to assemble the pieces i n that way, it 
shall be sufficient to fold the edge of the top section and mak e the seams as 
shown in sketches Nos 2 or 2(a) appended to these Regulations. One of the 
seams shall be visible only from the inside and the colour of t he thread used for 
that seam shall be clearly different from the colour of the she et itself and from 
the colour of the thread used for the other seam. All seams sha ll be 
machine-sewn.  
4. If the sheet is of plastic-covered cloth, and is made up of several pieces, the 
pieces may alternatively be welded together in the manner shown  in sketch No 3 
appended to these Regulations. The edges of the pieces shall ov erlap by at least 
15 mm. The pieces shall be fused together over the whole width of the overlap. 
The edge of the outer sheet shall be covered with a band of pla stic material at 
least 7 mm wide, affixed by the same welding process. The plast ic band and the 
sheet on each side of it for a width of at least 3 mm shall hav e a clearly-defined 
uniform relief pattern stamped on them. The pieces shall be wel ded in such a 
way that they cannot be separated and rejoined without leaving obvious traces.  ▼B
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5. Repairs shall be made in accordance with the method describe d in sketch 
No 4 appended to these Regulations; the edges shall be folded i nto one another 
and sewn together with two visible seams at least 15 mm apart; the colour of the 
thread visible from the inside shall be different from that of the thread visible 
from the outside and from that of the sheet itself; all seams s hall be 
machine-sewn. When a sheet which has been damaged near the edge s is 
repaired by replacing the damaged part by a patch, the seam can  also be made 
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Articl e and sketch No 1 
appended to these Regulations. Sheets of plastic-covered cloth may alternatively 
be repaired in accordance with the method described in paragrap h 4 of this 
Article, but in that case the plastic band must be affixed to b oth sides of the 
sheet, the patch being fitted on the inside of the sheet.  
6. The sheet shall be fixed to the vehicle in strict compliance  with the 
conditions set forth in Article 1(a) and (b) of these Regulatio ns. The following 
systems can be used:  
(a) The sheet can be secured by:  
(i) metal rings fixed to the vehicles,  
(ii) eyelets let into the edge of the sheet, and  
(iii) a fastening passing through the rings above the sheet and  visible from 
the outside for its entire length.  
The sheet shall overlap solid parts of the vehicle by at least 250 mm, 
measured from the centre of the securing rings, unless the syst em of 
construction of the vehicle in itself prevents all access to th e load 
compartment.  
(b) When any edge of a sheet is to be permanently secured to a vehicle, the two 
surfaces shall be joined together without a break and shall be held in place 
by strong devices.  
(c) When a sheet locking system is used it shall in locked posi tion join the sheet 
tightly to the outside of the load compartment (as an example s ee sketch 
No 6).  
7. The sheet shall be supported by an adequate superstructure ( uprights, sides, 
arches, slats, etc.).  
8. The spaces between the rings and the spaces between the eyel ets shall not 
exceed 200 mm. The spaces may however be greater but shall not exceed 
300 mm between rings and eyelets on either side of the upright if the 
construction of the vehicle and the sheet is such as to prevent  all access to the 
load compartment. The eyelets shall be reinforced.  
9. The following fastenings shall be used:  
(a) steel wire ropes of at least 3 mm diameter; or  
(b) ropes of hemp or sisal of at least 8 mm diameter encased in  a transparent 
sheath of unstretchable plastic; or  
(c) ropes consisting of batches of fibre-optic lines inside a s pirally wound steel 
housing encased in a transparent sheath of unstretchable plasti c; or  
(d) ropes comprising a textile cord surrounded by at least four  strands consisting 
solely of steel wire and completely covering the core, under th e condition 
that the roper (without taking into account the transparent she ath, if any) are 
not less than 3 mm in diameter.  
Ropes in accordance with paragraph 9(a) or (d) of this Article may have a 
transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 38  
In cases where the sheet has to be fixed to the frame in a syst em of construction 
which otherwise complies with the provisions of paragraph 6(a) of this Article, a 
thong can be used as fastening (an example of such a system of construction is 
given in sketch No 7 appended to this Annex). The thong has to comply with the 
requirements stipulated in paragraph 11(a)(iii) with regard to material, dimensions 
and shape.  
10. Each rope shall be in one piece and have a hard metal end-p iece at each 
end. Each metal end-piece shall allow the introduction of the t hread or strap of 
the Customs seal. The fastener of each metal end-piece of ropes  in accordance 
with the provisions of paragraph 9(a), (b) and (d) of this Arti cle shall include a 
hollow rivet passing through the rope so as to allow the introd uction of the 
thread or strap of the Customs seal. The rope shall remain visi ble on either 
side of the hollow rivet so that it is possible to ensure that the rope is in one 
piece (see sketch No 5 appended to these Regulations).  
11. At the openings in the sheet, used for loading and unloadin g, the two 
surfaces shall be joined together. The following systems can be  used:  
(a) The two edges of the sheet shall have an adequate overlap. They shall also 
be fastened by:  
(i) a flap sewn or welded in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4  of this 
Article,  
(ii) rings and eyelets meeting the conditions of paragraph 8 of  this Article, 
the rings shall be manufactured of metal, and  
(iii) a thong made of appropriate material, in one piece and un stretchable, at 
least 20 mm wide and 3 mm thick, passing through the rings and 
holding together the two edges of the sheet and the flap; the t hong 
shall be secured inside the sheet and fitted either with:  
— an eyelet to take the rope mentioned in paragraph 9 of this A rticle, 
or, 
— an eyelet which can be attached to a metal ring mentioned in 
paragraph 6 of this Article and be secured by the rope mentione d 
in paragraph 9 of this Article.  
A flap shall not be required if a special device, such as a baf fle plate, is 
fitted, which prevents access to the load compartment without l eaving 
obvious traces. Neither shall a flap be required for vehicles w ith sliding 
sheets.  
(b) A special locking system holding the edges of the sheets ti ghtly locked when 
the load compartment is closed and sealed. The system shall be provided 
with an opening through which a metal ring mentioned in paragra ph 6 of this 
Article can pass and be secured by the rope mentioned in paragr aph 9 of this 
Article. Such a system is described in sketch No 8 appended to this Annex.  
Article 4  
Vehicles with sliding sheets  
1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1, 2 and 3 of t hese Regulations 
shall apply to vehicles with sliding sheets. In addition, these  vehicles shall 
conform to the provisions of this Article.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 39  
2. The sliding sheets, floor, doors and all other constituent p arts of the load 
compartment shall fulfil either the requirements in Article 3, paragraphs 6, 
8, 9 and 11 of these Regulations or the requirements set out in  (i) to (vi) 
below.  
▼M6 
(i) The sliding sheets, floor, doors and all other constituent parts of the load 
compartment shall be assembled either by means of devices which  cannot 
be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obviou s traces, 
or by such methods as will produce a structure which cannot be modified 
without leaving obvious traces.  
▼B 
(ii) The sheet shall overlap the solid parts at the top of the vehicle by at least 
1/4 of the actual distance between the tensioning straps. The s heet shall 
overlap the solid parts at the bottom of the vehicle by at leas t 50 mm. 
The horizontal opening between the sheet and the solid parts of  the load 
compartment may not exceed 10 mm measured perpendicular to the 
longitudinal axis of the vehicle at any place when the load com partment 
is secured and sealed for Customs purposes.  
▼M6 
(iii) The sliding sheet guidance, sliding sheet tension devices  and other 
movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that when closed , and 
Customs sealed, doors and other movable parts cannot be opened or 
closed from the outside without leaving obvious traces. The sli ding 
sheet guidance, sliding sheet tension devices and other movable  parts 
shall be assembled in such a way that it is impossible to gain access 
to the load compartment without leaving obvious traces once the  closing 
devices have been secured. An example of such a system of const ruction 
is given in sketch No 9 appended to these Regulations.  
▼B 
(iv) The horizontal distance between the rings, used for Custom s purposes, on 
the solid parts of the vehicle shall not exceed 200 mm. The spa ce may, 
however, be greater but shall not exceed 300 mm between the rin gs on 
either side of the upright if the construction of the vehicle a nd the sheets 
is such as preventing all access to the load compartment. In an y case, the 
conditions laid down in (ii) above shall be complied with.  
(v) The distance between the tensioning straps shall not exceed  600 mm.  
(vi) The fastenings used to secure the sheets to the solid part s of the vehicle 
shall fulfil the requirements in Article 3, paragraph 9 of thes e Regu­
lations.  
▼M6 
Article 5  
Vehicles with a sheeted sliding roof  
1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1, 2, 3 and 4 o f these Regu­
lations shall apply to vehicles with a sheeted sliding roof. In  addition, these 
vehicles shall conform to the provisions of this Article.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 40  
2. The sheeted sliding roof shall fulfil the requirements set o ut in (i) to (iii) 
below.  
(i) The sheeted sliding roof shall be assembled either by means  of devices 
which cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without l eaving 
obvious traces, or by such methods as will produce a structure which cannot 
be modified without leaving obvious traces.  
(ii) The sliding roof sheet shall overlap with the solid part o f the roof at the 
front side of the load compartment, so that the roof sheet cann ot be pulled 
over the top edge of the upper cantrail. In the length of the l oad 
compartment, at both sides, in the hem of the roof sheet, a pre -stressed 
steel cable shall be inserted in such a way that it cannot be r emoved and 
re-inserted without leaving obvious traces. The roof sheet shal l be secured to 
the sliding carriage in such a way that it cannot be removed an d re-secured 
without leaving obvious traces.  
(iii) The sliding roof guidance, the sliding roof tension devic es and other 
movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that when closed , and 
Customs sealed, doors, roof and other movable parts cannot be o pened or 
closed from the outside without leaving obvious traces. The sli ding roof 
guidance, sliding roof tension devices and other movable parts shall be 
assembled in such a way that it is impossible to gain access to  the load 
compartment without leaving obvious traces once the closing dev ices have 
been secured.  
An example of a possible system of construction is shown in ske tch No 10, 
appended to these Regulations.  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 41  
Sketch No 1  
SHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES SEWN TOGETHER
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 42  
Sketch No 2  
SHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES SEWN TOGETHER
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 43  
Sketch No 2 (a)  
SHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES SEWN TOGETHER
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 44  
Sketch No 3  
SHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES WELDED TOGETHER
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 45  
Sketch No 4  
REPAIR OF THE SHEET
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 46  
Sketch No 5  
EXAMPLE OF END-PIECE
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 47  
Sketch No 6  
EXAMPLE OF SHEET LOCKING SYSTEM
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 48  
Sketch No 7  
EXAMPLE OF SHEETS FIXED TO SPECIAL-SHAPED FRAME
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 49  
Sketch No 8  
SHEET LOCKING SYSTEM AT OPENINGS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 50  
Sketch No 9  
EXAMPLE OF A CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH SLIDING SHEETS
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 51  
Sketch No 9 continued
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 52  
Sketch No 9 continued:
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 53  
Sketch No 10  
EXAMPLE OF A CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH A SHEETED SLIDING R OOF
 ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 54  
Sketch No 10 continued:
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 55  
Sketch No 10 continued:
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 56  
ANNEX 3  
PROCEDURE FOR THE APPROVAL OF ROAD VEHICLES 
COMPLYING WITH THE TECHNICAL CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN 
THE REGULATIONS CONTAINED IN ANNEX 2  
GENERAL  
1. Road vehicles may be approved by one of the following proced ures:  
(a) individually; or,  
(b) by design type (series of road vehicles).  
2. An Approval Certificate conforming to the standard form of A nnex 4 shall 
be issued for approved vehicles. This Certificate shall be prin ted in the 
language of the country of issue and in French or English. When  the 
authority which has granted the approval deems it necessary, ph otographs 
or diagrams authenticated by that authority shall be attached t o the 
Certificate. The number of those documents shall then be insert ed by that 
authority under item No 6 of the Approval Certificate.  
3. The Approval Certificate shall be kept on the road vehicle.  
4. Road vehicles shall be produced every two years, for the pur poses of 
inspection and of renewal of approval where appropriate, to the  competent 
authorities of the country in which the vehicle is registered o r, in the case of 
unregistered vehicles, of the country in which the owner or use r is resident.  
5. If a road vehicle no longer complies with the technical cond itions prescribed 
for its approval, it shall, before it can be used for the trans port of goods 
under cover of TIR Carnets, be restored to the condition which had justified 
its approval so as to comply again with the said technical cond itions.  
6. If the essential characteristics of a road vehicle are chang ed, the vehicle shall 
cease to be covered by the approval and shall be re-approved by  the 
competent authority before it can be used for the transport of goods under 
cover of TIR Carnets.  
7. The competent authorities of the country of registration of the vehicle, or, in 
the case of vehicles for which registration is not required, th e competent 
authorities of the country where the owner or user of the vehic le is estab­
lished may, as the case may be, withdraw or renew the Approval Certificate 
or issue a new Approval Certificate in the circumstances set ou t in Article 14 
of this Convention and in paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of this Annex.  
PROCEDURE FOR INDIVIDUAL APPROVAL  
8. The owner, the operator or the representative of either shal l apply to the 
competent authority for individual approval. The competent auth ority shall 
inspect the road vehicle produced in accordance with the genera l rules laid 
down in paragraph s 1 to 7 above and shall satisfy itself that the vehicle 
complies with the technical conditions prescribed in Annex 2, a nd after 
approval shall issue a certificate conforming to the model in A nnex 4.  
PROCEDURE FOR APPROVAL BY DESIGN TYPE (SERIES OF ROAD 
VEHICLES)  
9. Where road vehicles are manufactured by type series, the man ufacturer may 
apply to the competent authority of the country of manufacture for approval 
by design-type.  
10. The manufacturer shall state in his application the identif ication numbers or 
letters which he assigns to the type of road vehicle to which h is application 
for approval relates.  
11. The application shall be accompanied by drawings and a deta iled design 
specification of the type of road vehicle to be approved.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 57  
12. The manufacturer shall give an undertaking in writing that he will:  
(a) produce to the competent authority such vehicles of the typ e concerned 
as that authority may wish to examine;  
(b) permit the competent authority to examine further units at any time 
during the production of the type series concerned;  
(c) advise the competent authority of any change, however small , in the 
design or specification before proceeding with such change;  
(d) mark the road vehicles in a visible place with the identifi cation numbers 
of letters of the design-type and the serial number of the vehi cle in the 
type series (manufacturer's number);  
(e) keep a record of vehicles manufactured to the approved desi gn-type.  
13. The competent authority shall state what changes, if any, m ust be made to 
the proposed design-type in order that approval may be granted.  
14. No approval by design-type shall be granted unless the comp etent authority 
has satisfied itself by examination of one or more vehicles man ufactured to 
the design-type concerned that vehicles of that type comply wit h the 
technical condition prescribed in Annex 2.  
15. The competent authority shall notify the manufacturer in wr iting of its 
decision to grant approval by design-type. This decision shall be dated 
and numbered. The authority which took the decision shall be cl early 
designated.  
16. The competent authority shall take the necessary steps to i ssue an Approval 
Certificate, which it has duly signed, in respect of every vehi cle built in 
conformity with an approved design-type.  
17. The holder of the Approval Certificate shall, before using the vehicle for the 
carriage of goods under the cover of a TIR Carnet, fill in, as may be 
required, on the Approval Certificate:  
— the registration number given to the vehicle (item No 1); or  
— in the case of a vehicle not subject to registration, particu lars of his name 
and business address (item No 8).  
18. When a vehicle which has been approved by design-type is ex ported to 
another country which is a Contracting Party to this Convention , no 
further approval procedure shall be required in that country on  account of 
its importation.  
PROCEDURE FOR ENDORSEMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL  
19. When an approved vehicle, carrying goods under cover of a T IR Carnet, is 
found to have major defects, the competent authorities of Contr acting Parties 
may either refuse to allow the vehicle to continue its journey under a TIR 
Carnet, or allow the vehicle to continue its journey under a TI R Carnet on its 
territory while taking the necessary security precautions. The approved 
vehicle must be restored to a satisfactory state as rapidly as possible, and 
in any case before it is again used for the transport of goods under cover of a 
TIR Carnet.  
20. In each of these cases the Customs authorities shall make a n appropriate 
endorsement in item No 10 of the Certificate of Approval of the  vehicle. 
When the vehicle has been restored to a condition which justifi es approval, it 
shall be presented to the competent authorities of a Contractin g Party who 
shall revalidate the Certificate by adding an endorsement to it em No 11 
cancelling the earlier observations. No vehicle, the Certificat e of which 
has been endorsed at item No 10 under the provisions of the pre ceding 
paragraph, may again be used for the transport of goods under a  TIR 
Carnet until it has been restored to a satisfactory condition a nd until the 
endorsement in item No 10 has been cancelled as stated above.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 58  
21. Each endorsement made on the Certificate shall be dated and  authenticated 
by the competent authorities.  
22. When a vehicle is found to have defects which the Customs a uthorities 
consider to be of minor importance and not involving the risk o f smuggling, 
the continued use of the vehicle for the transport of goods und er cover of a 
TIR Carnet can be authorised. The holder of the Approval Certif icate shall 
be notified of the defects and shall restore his vehicle to a s atisfactory state 
within a reasonable time.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 59  
ANNEX 4  
MODEL CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL OF A ROAD VEHICLE  
Model certificate of approval of a road vehicle
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 60
  
► (1) C1 ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 61  
Model Certificate of Approval of a Road Vehicle ( cont'd )
 ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 62  
Model Certificate of Approval of a Road Vehicle ( cont'd )
 ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 63  
ANNEX 5  
TIR PLATES  
1. The dimensions of the plates shall be 250 mm by 400 mm.  
2. The letters TIR in capital Latin characters shall be 200 mm high and their 
strokes at least 20 mm wide. The letters shall be white on a bl ue ground.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 64  
ANNEX 6  
EXPLANATORY NOTES  
Introduction to Explanatory Notes  
(i) In accordance with the provisions of Article 43 of this Con vention, the 
Explanatory Notes interpret certain provisions of this Conventi on and of 
its Annexes. They also describe certain recommended practices,  
(ii) The Explanatory Notes do not modify the provisions of this  Convention or 
of its Annexes but merely make their contents, meaning and scop e more 
precise,  
(iii) In particular, having regard to the provisions of Article  12 of this 
Convention and of Annex 2 relating to the technical conditions for the 
approval of road vehicles for transport under Customs seal, the  Explanatory 
Notes specify, where appropriate, the construction techniques t o be accepted 
by the Contracting Parties as complying with those provisions. The 
Explanatory Notes also specify, where appropriate, which constr uction tech­
niques do not comply with those provisions,  
(iv) The Explanatory Notes provide a means of applying the prov isions of this 
Convention and of its Annexes so as to take into account the de velopment 
of technology and economic requirements.  
0. MAIN TEXT OF THE CONVENTION  
0.1. Article 1  
0.1.(b) Article 1(b) implies that, where several Customs office  of 
departure or destination are located in one or several 
countries, there may be more than one TIR operation in a 
Contracting Party. Under these circumstances the national 
leg of a TIR transport carried out between two successive 
Customs offices, regardless of whether they are offices of 
departure, destination or  en route , can be considered as a 
TIR operation.  
0.1.(f) The fees and charges excepted in Article 1, subparagrap h (f) 
mean all sums, other than import or export duties and taxes, 
levied by Contracting Parties on or in connection with im­
portation or exportation. These sums shall be limited in 
amount to the approximate cost of the services rendered 
and shall not represent an indirect protection to domestic 
products or a tax on imports or exports for fiscal purposes. 
Such fees and charges include  inter alia  payments relating 
to: 
— certificates of origin if they are required for transit,  
— analyses carried out by Customs laboratories for control 
purposes,  
— Customs inspections and other clearance operations 
carried out outside normal working hours or away from 
Customs offices,  
— inspections for sanitary, veterinary or phytopathological 
reasons.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 65  
0.1.(j) The term ‘demountable body’ means a load compartment 
which has no means of locomotion and which is designed 
in particular to be transported upon a road vehicle, the 
chassis of which, together with the under-framing of the 
body, is especially adapted for this purpose. It covers also 
a swap-body which is a load compartment designed 
especially for combined road and rail transport.  
0.1.(j)(i) The term ‘partially enclosed’, as applied to equipme nt in 
Article 1, subparagraph (j)(i), relates to equipment 
generally consisting of a floor and a superstructure 
marking off a loading space equivalent to that of a closed 
container. The superstructure is generally made up of metal 
members forming the frame of a container. Containers of 
this type may also comprise one or more lateral or frontal 
walls. In some cases there is only a roof attached to the floor  
by uprights. This type of container is used in particular for 
the transport of bulky goods (motor cars, for example).  
0.2. Article 2  
0.2-1. Article 2 provides that a transport operation under cove r of a 
TIR Carnet may begin and end in the same country on 
condition that part of the journey is performed in foreign 
territory. In such cases there is nothing to prevent the 
Customs authorities of the country of departure from 
requiring, in addition to the TIR Carnet, a national 
document, intended to ensure duty-free reimportation of 
the goods. It is nevertheless recommended that Customs 
authorities should not insist on the use of such a 
document but accept instead an appropriate endorsement 
on the TIR Carnet.  
0.2-2. The provisions of this Article allow goods to be carried  
under cover of a TIR Carnet when only part of the 
journey is made by road. They do not specify what part of 
the journey has to be made by road and it is sufficient that 
this should occur at some point between the beginning and 
the end of the TIR transport. However, it may happen that, 
for unforeseen reasons of a commercial or accidental nature, 
no part of the journey can be made by road, despite the 
intentions of the sender at the start of the journey. In these 
exceptional cases the Contracting Parties shall nevertheless 
accept the TIR Carnet and the liability of the guaranteeing 
associations shall remain in force.  
▼M1 
0.3. Article 3  
0.3(a)(iii) The provisions of Article 3(a)(iii) do not cover pa ssenger 
cars (HS code 8703) travelling by their own means. 
However, passenger cars may be carried under the TIR 
procedure if transported by means of other vehicles as 
referred to in subparagraph (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of Article 3.  
▼B 
0.5. Article 5  
This Article does not exclude the right to carry out spot 
checks on the goods but stresses that these checks should 
be very limited in number. The international TIR Carnet 
procedure, in fact, provides protection greater than that 
given by national procedures. Firstly the particulars on the 
TIR Carnet relating to the goods must agree with the  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 66  
particulars given on the Customs documents which may be 
required in the country of departure. In addition the 
countries of transit and destination are given protection by 
the controls which are carried out at departure and which are 
certified by the Customs authorities at the office of departure  
(see Explanatory Note to Article 19).  
0.6. Article 6  
0.6.2. Paragraph 2  
Under the provisions of this paragraph, the Customs auth­
orities of a country may approve more than one association, 
each of which may incur liability arising from the operations 
undertaken under cover of the Carnets issued by it or by its 
corresponding associations.  
0.6.2  bis-1. The relationship between an international organisation and 
its member associations shall be defined in written 
agreements on the functioning of the international 
guarantee system.  
0.6.2  bis-2. The authorisation granted in accordance with Article 6.2  bis 
shall be reflected in a written Agreement between the 
UNECE and the International Organisation. The Agreement 
shall stipulate that the International Organisation shall fulfi l 
the relevant provisions of the Convention, shall respect the 
competences of the Contracting Parties to the Convention 
and shall comply with the decisions of the Administrative 
Committee and the requests of the TIR Executive Board. By 
signing the Agreement, the International Organisation 
confirms that it accepts the responsibilities imposed by the 
authorisation. The Agreement shall also apply to the respon­
sibilities of the International Organisation set out in 
Annex 8, Article 10(b), in case the centralised printing and 
distribution of TIR Carnets is performed by the abovemen­
tioned international organisation. The Agreement shall be 
adopted by the Administrative Committee.  
0.8. Article 8  
0.8.2. Paragraph 2  
The provisions of this paragraph shall be applicable where, 
in case of irregularities of the type covered in Article 8, 
paragraph 1, the laws and regulations of a Contracting 
Party provide for the payment of sums other than import 
or export duties and taxes, such as administrative fines or 
other pecuniary sanctions. However, the sum to be paid shall 
not exceed the amount of import or export duties and taxes 
which would have been due if the goods had been imported 
or exported in accordance with the relevant Customs 
provisions, this amount being increased by any default 
interests.  
0.8.3. Paragraph 3  
►M3 Contracting Parties ◄ are recommended to limit to a 
sum equal to  ►M7 100 000 Euros ◄ per TIR Carnet the 
maximum amount which may be claimed from the guaran­
teeing association. In the case of transport of alcohol and 
tobacco, details of which are given below, and which 
exceed the threshold levels provided further below,  
►M3 Contracting Parties ◄ are recommended to increase 
the maximum amount which may be claimed from the guar­
anteeing associations to a sum equal to $US 200 000:  
(1) Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by 
volume of 80 % vol or higher (HS code: 22.07.10)  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 67  
(2) Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by 
volume of less than 80 % vol; spirits, liqueurs and 
other spirituous beverages; compound alcoholic prep­
arations of a kind used for the manufacture of 
beverages (HS code 22.08)  
(3) Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos, containing tobacco (HS 
code 24.02.10)  
(4) Cigarettes containing tobacco (HS code: 24.02.20)  
(5) Smoking tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco 
substitutes in any proportion ( ►M5 HS code: 
24.03.11 and 24.03.19 (ECE/TRANS/WP.30/AC.2/113, 
para. 35) ◄).  
The maximum amount which may be claimed from guaran­
teeing associations is recommended to be limited to a sum 
equal to $US 50 000, if the following quantities are not 
exceeded for the above tobacco and alcohol categories:  
(1) 300 litres  
(2) 500 litres  
(3) 40 000 pieces  
(4) 70 000 pieces  
(5) 100 kilograms.  
The exact quantities (litres, pieces, kilograms) of the above 
categories of tobacco and alcohol must be inscribed into the 
goods manifest of the TIR Carnet.  
0.8.5. Paragraph 5  
If ►M3 a payment request is made against the guaranteeing 
association ◄ for goods not listed in the TIR Carnet, the 
administration concerned should indicate the facts on which 
it based its opinion that the goods were contained in the 
sealed section of the road vehicle or the sealed container.  
0.8.6. Paragraph 6  
1. In the absence in the TIR Carnet of particulars detailed 
enough to enable charges on the goods to be determined, 
the Parties concerned may produce evidence of their 
precise nature.  
2. If no evidence is furnished, duties and taxes will be 
charged, not at a flat rate unrelated to the nature of the 
goods, but at the highest rate applicable to the kind of 
goods covered by the particulars in the TIR Carnet.  
▼M3 __________  
▼B 
►M3 0.10-1. ◄ Article 10  
The certificate of termination of the TIR operation shall be 
regarded as having been obtained in an improper or 
fraudulent manner when the TIR operation has been 
carried out by means of load compartments or containers 
adapted for fraudulent purposes, or when such malpractice 
as the use of false or inaccurate documents, the substitution 
of goods, tampering with Customs seals, etc., have been 
discovered, or when the certificate has been obtained by 
other illicit means.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 68  
0.10-2. The phrase ‘or no termination has taken place’ includes  
those situations where the certificate of termination has 
been falsified.  
▼B 
0.11. Article 11  
▼M3 
0.11-1. The method of notification in writing is left to nation al 
legislation.  
0.11-2. The efforts to be made by the competent authorities to 
require payment from the person or persons liable shall 
include, at least, the sending of the claim for payment to 
the TIR carnet holder, at his address indicated in the TIR 
carnet, or the person or persons liable, if different, estab­
lished in accordance with national legislation. The claim for 
payment to the TIR carnet holder may be combined with the 
notification referred to in paragraph 1(a) of this Article.  
0.11-3-1. In deciding whether or not to release the goods or ve hicle, 
competent authorities should not, when they have other 
means in law of protecting the interests for which they are 
responsible, be influenced by the fact that the guaranteeing 
association is liable for the payment of duties, taxes and 
default interest payable by the holder of the carnet.  
0.11-3-2. The competent authorities may inform the guaranteeing  asso­
ciation that administrative or legal proceedings concerning 
the payment obligation were initiated. In any event, the 
competent authorities shall inform the guaranteeing associa­
tion of such proceedings that may be terminated after the 
two-year time limit before that time limit has expired.  
0.11-4. If a guaranteeing association is asked, in accordance w ith the 
procedure set out in this Article, to pay the sums referred to 
in Article 8, paragraphs 1 and 2, and fails to do so within 
the time limit of three months prescribed by the Convention, 
the competent authorities may rely on national regulations in 
requiring payment of the sums in question because what is 
involved in such cases is a failure to carry out a contract of 
guarantee entered into by the guaranteeing association under 
national law. The time limit also applies in the event that the  
guaranteeing association, on receipt of the claim, consults 
the international organisation referred to in Article 6, 
paragraph 2, over its position concerning the claim.  
▼B 
0.15. Article 15  
Certain difficulties may arise in the case of vehicles not 
subject to registration, such as in some countries trailers or 
semi-trailers, when Customs documents are not required for 
temporary admission. In that case, the provisions of 
Article 15 may be observed, while assuring adequate 
protection for the Customs authorities, by recording 
particulars of these vehicles (make and numbers) on 
vouchers No 1 and No 2 of the TIR Carnet used by the 
countries concerned and on the corresponding counterfoils.  ▼M3
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 69  
0.17. Article 17  
0.17-1. Paragraph 1  
The provision that the manifest of the goods covered by the 
TIR Carnet shall show separately the contents of each 
vehicle or a combination of vehicles, or of each container, 
is only intended to simplify Customs inspection of the 
contents of each vehicle or container. This provision shall 
not therefore be interpreted so rigidly that each variation 
between the actual contents of a vehicle or container and 
the contents of that vehicle or container as shown on the 
manifest is considered a breach of the provisions of the 
Convention.  
If the carrier can satisfy the relevant authorities that, notwi th­
standing such a variation, all the goods shown on the 
manifest agree with the total of goods loaded in the combi­
nation of vehicles or in all the containers covered by the TIR 
Carnet, this shall not normally be considered a breach of 
Customs requirements.  
0.17-2. Paragraph 2  
In the case of household removals, the procedure laid down 
in paragraph 10(c) of the Rules for the use of the TIR Carnet 
can be applied, the list of articles concerned being 
reasonably condensed.  
0.18. Article 18  
0.18-1. It is essential for the smooth operation of the TIR pro cedure 
that the Customs authorities of one country should refuse to 
designate a Customs office of exit as a Customs office of 
destination for a transport operation which is going on to a 
neighbouring country when that country is also a 
Contracting Party to this Convention, unless there are 
some special circumstances to justify the request.  
0.18-2. 1. Goods should be so loaded that the consignment to be  
unloaded at the first unloading point can be taken out of 
the vehicle or the container without it being necessary to 
unload the other consignment or consignments of goods 
due to be unloaded at the other unloading points.  
2. Where a transport operation involves unloading at more 
than one office it is necessary that, after a partial 
unloading, a record of it should be made in box 12 on 
all the remaining manifests of the TIR Carnet, and at the 
same time another record should be made on the 
remaining vouchers and the corresponding counterfoils 
to the effect that new seals have been affixed.  
0.19. Article 19  
The requirement that the Customs office of departure should 
check the accuracy of the goods manifest implies the need to 
verify at least that the particulars in the goods manifest tall y 
with those in the export documents and in the transport or 
other commercial documents relating to the goods; the 
Customs office of departure may also have to examine the 
goods. The Customs office of departure must also, before  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 70  
affixing seals, check the condition of the road vehicle or 
container and, in the case of sheeted vehicles or containers, 
the condition of the sheets and sheet fastenings, as this 
equipment is not included in the Certificate of Approval.  
0.20. Article 20  
When fixing time-limits for the transport of goods within 
their territory, Customs authorities must likewise take into 
account  inter alia  any special regulations to which carriers 
are subject, particularly regulations concerning working 
hours and mandatory rest periods for drivers of road 
vehicles. It is recommended that these authorities should 
exercise their right to prescribe a route only when they 
consider it essential.  
0.21. Article 21  
0.21-1. The provisions of this Article do not restrict the righ t of 
Customs authorities to examine all parts of a vehicle in 
addition to the sealed load compartment.  
0.21-2. The Customs office of entry may turn back the carrier t o the 
Customs office of exit of the adjacent country if it finds that  
no clearance has been given by that office or that clearance 
has not been given in due form. In such cases the Customs 
office of entry inserts a note in the TIR Carnet for the 
Customs office of exit concerned.  
0.21-3. If in the course of an examination, Customs authorities  draw 
samples of goods, a note recording full particulars of the 
goods taken must be made by those authorities on the 
goods manifest of the TIR Carnet.  
►M3 0.28-1. ◄ Article 28  
The use of the TIR Carnet must be restricted to the function 
which it was intended to cover, namely the transit operation. 
The TIR Carnet must not, for example, be used to cover the 
storage of goods under Customs control at destination.  
▼M3 
0.28-2. This Article provides that the termination of a TIR ope ration 
shall be subjected to the goods being placed under another 
Customs procedure or another system of Customs control. 
This includes clearing the goods for home use (either full or 
conditionally), the transfer across the border to a third 
country (export), or to a free zone, or the storage of the 
goods in a place approved by the Customs authorities 
while awaiting the declaration for another procedure.  
▼B 
0.29. Article 29  
No certificate of approval is required for road vehicles or 
containers transporting heavy or bulky goods. It is, never­
theless, the responsibility of the Customs office of departure 
to make sure that the other conditions laid down in this 
Article for this type of transport operation are met. 
Customs offices of other Contracting Parties shall accept 
the decision of the Customs office of departure unless in 
their opinion it is clearly in conflict with the provisions of 
Article 29.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 71  
0.38. Article 38  
0.38-2. Paragraph 2  
The legal requirement to notify the TIR Executive Board 
that a person has been temporarily or permanently 
excluded from the operation of the Convention is deemed 
to be fulfilled by means of the proper use of electronic 
applications developed to this end by the TIR secretariat 
under the supervision of the TIR Executive Board. (ECE/ 
TRANS/WP.30/AC.2/115, para. 43).  
▼B 
0.39. Article 39  
The expression ‘mistakes committed through negligence’ is 
to be taken to mean acts which, although not committed 
deliberately and in full knowledge of the facts, are due to 
a failure to take reasonable and necessary steps to ensure the 
accuracy of the facts in any particular case.  
▼M6 
0.42 bis. Article 42 bis  
The term ‘immediately’ in Article 42 bis is understood to 
mean that national measures that may affect the application 
of the TIR Convention and/or functioning of the TIR system, 
ought to be communicated in writing to the TIR Executive 
Board (TIRExB) as soon as possible and, if possible, prior to 
their entry into force, so as to allow TIRExB to efficiently 
discharge its supervisory functions and fulfil its responsi­
bility to examine the measure as to its conformity with the 
TIR Convention in accordance with Article 42 bis and its 
Terms of Reference as laid down in Annex 8 of the TIR 
Convention.  
▼B 
0.45. Article 45  
Contracting Parties are recommended to make the largest 
possible number of Customs offices, both inland and at 
the frontier, available for dealing with TIR operations.  
▼M9 
0.49. Article 49  
Contracting Parties may grant, in line with national legis­
lation, duly authorized persons greater facilities in the appli ­
cation of the provisions of the Convention. The conditions 
prescribed by the competent authorities upon granting such 
facilities should, at least, include the application of 
information and communication technologies to ensure the 
good conduct of the TIR procedure, the exemption to 
produce goods, road vehicle, the combination of vehicles 
or the container with the TIR Carnet at the Customs 
offices of departure or destination, as well as instructions 
for duly authorized persons to perform specific duties 
entrusted pursuant to the TIR Convention to customs 
authorities, such as, in particular, the filling in and 
stamping of the TIR Carnet and the affixing or checking 
of customs seals. Duly authorized persons who have been 
granted any greater facility should put in place a system of 
record-keeping, enabling customs authorities to carry out 
effective customs control as well as to supervise the 
procedure and carry out random controls. Greater facilities 
should be granted without prejudice to the liability of TIR 
Carnet holders as stipulated by Article 11, paragraph 2 of the 
Convention.  ▼M5
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 72  
1. ANNEX 1  
1.10.(c) Rules regarding the Use of the TIR Carnet  
Loading lists annexed to the goods manifest  
No 10(c) of the Rules regarding the Use of the TIR Carnet 
permits the use of loading lists as Annex to the TIR Carnet 
even when there would otherwise be enough space in the 
manifest to enter all the goods carried. However, this is 
permissible only if the loading lists contain all the particula rs 
required by the goods manifest in legible and recognisable 
form and all other provisions of Rule 10(c) are complied 
with.  
2. ANNEX 2  
2.2. Article 2  
2.2.1.(a) Paragraph 1(a) — Assembly of constituent parts  
(a) Where joining devices (rivets, screws, bolts and nuts, 
etc.) are used, a sufficient number of such devices 
shall be inserted from outside, traverse the assembled 
constituent parts, protrude inside and there be firmly 
secured (e.g. riveted, welded, bushed or bolted and 
swaged or welded on the nut). However, conventional 
rivets (i.e. rivets whose placing requires handling from 
both sides of the assembly of constituent parts) may also 
be inserted from the inside;  
Notwithstanding the above, load compartment floors 
may be secured by means of self-tapping screws, 
self-drilling rivets or rivets inserted by means of an 
explosive charge or pins inserted pneumatically, when 
placed from inside and passing at right-angles through 
the floor and the metallic cross-pieces underneath, on 
condition, except in the case of self-tapping screws, 
that some of their ends be flush with the level of the 
outside part of the cross-piece or be welded on to it.  
(b) The competent authority shall determine what joining 
devices, and how many of them, must fulfil the 
requirements of subparagraph (a) of this note; they 
shall do so by making sure that the constituent parts 
so assembled cannot be displaced and replaced without 
leaving obvious traces. The choice and placing of other 
joining devices are not subject to any restriction;  
(c) Joining devices which can be removed and replaced 
from one side without leaving obvious traces, i.e. 
without requiring handling from both sides of the 
constituent parts to be assembled, shall not be allowed 
under subparagraph (a) of this note. Examples of such 
devices are expansion rivets, blind rivets and the like;  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 73  
(d) The assembly methods described above shall apply to 
special vehicles, for example to insulated vehicles, 
refrigerated vehicles and tank-vehicles in so far as they 
are not incompatible with the technical requirements 
which such vehicles must fulfil having regard to their 
use. Where, due to technical reasons, it is not practicable 
to secure parts in the manner described in subparagraph 
(a) of this note, the constituent parts may be joined by 
means of the devices mentioned in subparagraph (c) of 
this note provided that the devices used on the inner face 
of the wall are not accessible from the outside.  
2.2.1.(b) Paragraph 1(b) — Doors and other closing systems  
(a) The device on which Customs seals can be fixed must:  
(i) be secured by welding, or by not less than two 
joining devices conforming to subparagraph (a) of 
Explanatory Note 2.2.1(a); or  
(ii) be so designed that when the load compartment has 
been closed and sealed the device cannot be 
removed without leaving obvious traces,  
It must also:  
(iii) incorporate holes of not less than 11 mm in 
diameter or slots of at least 11 mm in length by 
3 mm in width, and  
(iv) afford equal security whatever type of seal is used;  
(b) Butt hinges, strap hinges, hinge-pins and other devices 
for hanging doors and the like must be secured in 
conformity with the requirements of subparagraphs 
(a)(i) and (ii) of this note. Moreover, the various 
components of such devices (e.g. hinge-plates, pins or 
swivels), provided that they are necessary to guarantee 
Customs security of the load compartment, shall be so 
fitted that they cannot be removed or dismantled when 
the load compartment is closed and sealed without 
leaving obvious traces (  1 ); 
However, where such a device is not accessible from 
outside it will suffice if, when the door or the like has 
been closed and sealed, it cannot be detached from the 
hinge or similar device without leaving obvious traces. 
Where a door or closure-device has more than two 
hinges, only those two hinges nearest to the extremities 
of the door need to be fixed in conformity with the 
requirements of subparagraph (a)(i) and (ii) above.  
(c) Exceptionally, in the case of vehicles having insulated 
load compartments, the Customs sealing device, the 
hinges and any fittings, the removal of which would 
give access to the interior of the load compartment or 
to spaces in which goods could be concealed, may be 
fixed to the doors of such load compartments by means 
of the following systems:  ▼B 
( 1 ) See sketch No 1a appended to this Annex.
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 74  
(i) Set bolts or set screws which are inserted from the 
outside but which do not otherwise meet the 
requirements of Explanatory Note 2.2.1(a), subpara­
graph (a) above, on condition that:  
— the tails of the set bolts or set screws are fixed 
into a tapping plate or similar device fitted 
behind the outer layer or layers of the door 
structure, and  
— the heads of the appropriate number of set bolts 
or set screws are so welded to the Customs 
sealing device, hinges etc., that they are 
completely deformed and  
— that the set bolts or set screws cannot be 
removed without leaving visible signs of 
tampering (  1 ); 
(ii) A fastening device which is inserted from the inside 
of the insulated door construction on condition that:  
— the fastening pin and securing collar of the 
device are assembled by pneumatic or 
hydraulic tooling and fixed behind a plate or 
similar device fitted between the outer layer of 
the door structure and the insulation; and  
— the head of the fastening pin is not accessible 
from the inside of the load compartment; and  
— a sufficient number of securing collars and 
fastening pins are welded together and the 
devices cannot be removed without leaving 
visible signs of tampering (  2 ). 
The term ‘insulated load compartment’ is to be taken to 
include refrigerated and isothermic load compartments.  
(d) Vehicles comprising a large number of such closures as 
valves, stopcocks, manhole covers, flanges and the like 
must be designed so as to keep the number of Customs 
seals to a minimum. To this end, neighbouring closures 
must be interconnected by a common device requiring 
only one Customs seal, or must be provided with a 
cover meeting the same purpose;  
(e) Vehicles with opening roofs must be constructed in such 
a manner as to permit sealing with a minimum number 
of Customs seals.  
(f) In cases where a large number of Customs seals are 
required for Customs secure sealing, the number of 
such seals should be indicated in the Certificate of 
Approval under point 5 (Annex 4 to the TIR 
Convention, 1975). A sketch should be attached to the 
Certificate of Approval showing the exact location of the 
Customs seals.  ▼B 
( 1 ) See sketch No 1 appended to this Annex. 
( 2 ) See sketch No 5 appended to this Annex.
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 75  
2.2.1.(c) Paragraph 1(c)-1 Ventilation apertures  
(a) Their greatest dimension must, in principle, not exceed 
400 mm.  
(b) Apertures permitting direct access to the load 
compartment must be obstructed  
(i) by means of wire gauze or perforated metal screens 
(maximum dimension of holes: 3 mm in both cases) 
and protected by welded metal lattice-work 
(maximum dimension of holes: 10 mm); or  
(ii) by means of a single perforated metal screen of 
sufficient strength (maximum dimension of holes: 
3 mm; thickness of the screen: at least 1 mm).  
(c) Apertures not permitting direct access to the load 
compartment (e.g. because of elbow or baffle-plate 
systems) must be provided with devices referred to in 
subparagraph (b), in which, however, the dimensions of 
the holes may be as much as 10 mm (for the wire gauze 
or metal screen) and 20 mm (for the metal lattice-work).  
(d) Where openings are made in sheets, the devices referred 
to in subparagraph (b) of this note must in principle be 
prescribed. However, blocking devices in the form of a 
perforated metal screen fitted outside, and wire or other 
gauze fitted inside, will be allowed.  
(e) Identical non-metal devices may be allowed provided 
that the holes are of the requisite dimensions and the 
material used is strong enough to prevent the holes from 
being substantially enlarged without visible damage. In 
addition, it must be impossible to replace the ventilation 
device by working from one side of the sheet only.  
(f) The ventilation aperture may be provided with a 
protective device. This shall be secured to the sheet in 
such a way as to permit Customs inspection of the 
aperture. This protective device shall be secured to the 
sheet at a distance of not less than 5 cm from the screen 
of the ventilation aperture.  
2.2.1.(c)-2 Drainage apertures  
(a) Their greatest dimension must, in principle not exceed 
35 mm;  
(b) Apertures permitting direct access to the load 
compartment must be provided with the devices 
described in subparagraph (b) of Explanatory Note 
2.2.1(c)-1 for ventilation apertures;  
(c) When drainage apertures do not permit direct access to 
the load compartment, the devices referred to in subpara­
graph (b) of this note will not be prescribed, on 
condition that the apertures are provided with a 
reliable baffle system readily accessible from inside the 
load compartment.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 76  
2.2.3. Paragraph 3 — Safety glass  
Glass shall be considered as safety glass if there is no risk o f 
it being destroyed as a result of any factor ordinarily 
occurring in the normal conditions of use of a vehicle. 
The glass shall bear a mark which characterizes it as 
safety glass.  
2.3. Article 3  
2.3.3. Paragraph 3 — Sheets made up of several pieces  
(a) The several pieces constituting one sheet may be made 
of different materials conforming to the provisions of 
Annex 2, Article 3, paragraph 2;  
(b) Any arrangement of the pieces which adequately guar­
antees security will be allowed in making up the sheet, 
on condition that the pieces are assembled in conformity 
with the requirements of Annex 2, Article 3.  
2.3.6.(a) Paragraph 6(a)  
2.3.6.(a)-1 Vehicle with sliding rings  
Metal securing rings sliding on metal bars fixed to the 
vehicles are acceptable for the purpose of this 
paragraph (  1 ) provided that:  
(a) the bars are affixed to the vehicle at maximum spacings 
of 60 cm and in such a manner that they cannot be 
removed and replaced without leaving obvious traces;  
(b) the rings are made with a double hoop or equipped with 
a central bar and made in one piece without the use of 
welding; and  
(c) the sheet is fixed to the vehicle in strict compliance with  
the conditions set forth in Annex 2, Article 1(a) of this 
Convention.  
2.3.6.(a)-2 Vehicles with swivel rings  
Metal swivel rings, each of which rotates in a metal bracket 
fixed to the vehicle are acceptable for the purpose of this 
paragraph (  2 ) provided that:  
(a) each bracket is affixed to the vehicle in such a manner 
that it cannot be removed and replaced without leaving 
obvious traces; and  
(b) the spring under each bracket is completely enclosed by 
a bell-shaped metal cover.  
2.3.6.(b) Paragraph 6(b) Permanently-secured sheets  
Where one or more edges of the sheet are permanently 
attached to the body of the vehicle, the sheet shall be held 
in place by one or more strips of metal or other suitable 
material secured to the body of the vehicle by joining 
devices meeting the requirements of subparagraph (a) of 
Explanatory Note 2.2.1(a) of Annex 6.  ▼B 
( 1 ) See sketch No 2 appended to this Annex. 
( 2 ) See sketch No 2a appended to this Annex.
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 77  
2.3.8. Paragraph 8 — Spaces between the rings and the eyelets  
Spaces exceeding 200 mm but not exceeding 300 mm are 
acceptable over the uprights if the rings are recessed in the 
side-boards and the eyelets are oval and so small that they 
can just pass over the rings.  
2.3.11.(a) Paragraph 11(a)  
2.3.11.(a)-1 Sheet tension flaps  
The sheets of many vehicles are provided on the outside 
with a horizontal flap pierced by eyelets running along the 
length of the side of the vehicle. Such flaps, known as 
tension flaps, are used to tauten the sheet by means of 
tension cords or similar devices. Such flaps have been 
used to conceal horizontal slits made in the sheets giving 
improper access to the goods carried in the vehicle. It is 
therefore recommended that the use of flaps of this type 
should not be allowed. The following devices may be used 
instead:  
(a) tension flaps of similar design fixed on the inside of the 
sheet; or  
(b) small individual flaps each pierced by one eyelet secured 
to the outside surface of the sheets and spaced at such 
distances as will permit an adequate tension of the sheet.  
Alternatively, it may be possible in certain cases to avoid the  
use of tension flaps on sheets.  
2.3.11.(a)-2 Sheet thongs  
The following materials are regarded as suitable for making 
thongs:  
(a) leather;  
(b) non-tensile materials including plastic-covered or 
rubberised cloth, provided that such materials cannot 
after severance be welded or reconstituted without 
leaving obvious traces. Furthermore, the plastic 
material used to cover thongs shall be transparent and 
smooth-surfaced.  
2.3.11.(a)-3 The device shown in  sketch No 3  ( 1 ) meets the requirements 
of the last part of Annex 2, Article 3, paragraph 11(a). It 
also meets the requirements of Annex 2, Article 3, 
paragraphs 6(a) and 6(b).  
3. ANNEX 3  
3.0.17. Paragraph 17 — Approval procedure  
1. Annex 3 provides that the competent authorities of a 
Contracting Party may issue a Certificate of Approval 
in respect of a vehicle constructed within its territory 
and that no additional approval procedures shall be 
applied in respect of such a vehicle in the country 
where it is registered or, as the case may be, where the 
owner is resident.  ▼B 
( 1 ) See sketch No 3 appended to this Annex.
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 78  
2. These provisions are not intended to restrict the right of 
the competent authorities of the Contracting Party where 
the vehicle is registered or where the owner is resident to 
require the production of such a Certificate of Approval 
either at importation or subsequently for purposes 
connected with the registration or control of the vehicle 
or with similar legal requirements.  
3.0.20. Paragraph 20 — Procedure for endorsement of the Certifi ­
cate of Approval  
When an endorsement concerning defects is to be cancelled 
after the vehicle has been restored to a satisfactory state, it  is 
sufficient to state, under item No 11 provided for the 
purpose, ‘Defects rectified’ followed by the name, 
signature and stamp of the competent authority concerned.  
8. ANNEX 8  
▼M7 
8.1. Article 1  bis 
8.1 bis.6. Paragraph 6  
The Committee may ask the competent United Nations 
services to perform the additional examination. The 
Committee may, alternatively, decide to engage an inde­
pendent external auditor and mandate the TIR Executive 
Board to prepare the terms of reference of the audit, based 
on the object and purpose of the audit as determined by the 
Committee. The terms of reference shall be approved by the 
Committee. The additional examination by an external inde­
pendent auditor shall result in a report and a management 
letter that shall be submitted to the Committee. In such a 
case, the financial cost of engaging an independent external 
auditor, including the related procurement procedure, shall 
be incurred by the budget of the TIR Executive Board.  
▼M5 
8.9. Article 9  
8.9.1. Paragraph 1  
The members of the TIR Executive Board shall be 
competent and experienced in the application of Customs 
procedures, particularly the TIR transit procedure, both at 
national and international levels. Board members shall be 
nominated by their respective Governments or organisations 
being Contracting Parties to the Convention. They shall 
represent the interests of the Contracting Parties to the 
Convention and not the specific interests of any one indi­
vidual Government or organisation. (ECE/TRANS/WP.30/ 
AC.2/117, para. 29).  
8.9.2. Paragraph 2  
In case a member of the TIR Executive Board resigns before 
the completion of his/her mandated term of office, the 
Administrative Committee may elect a replacement 
member. In that case the elected member shall only hold 
office for the unexpired portion of the term of office of 
his/her predecessor. In the event that a member of the TIR 
Executive Board is unable, for reasons other than resig­
nation, to complete his or her term of office, this information  
should be transmitted in writing to the TIR Executive Board 
and the TIR secretariat by the national administration of the 
member concerned. In this case, the Administrative 
Committee may elect a replacement member for the 
unexpired portion of the term of office. (ECE/TRANS/ 
WP.30/AC.2/117, para. 29).  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 79  
8.10. Article 10  
8.10.(b) The Agreement mentioned in the Explanatory Note to 
Article 6.2  bis shall also apply to the responsibilities of 
the International Organisation set out in (b) of this Article, 
in case the centralised printing and distribution of TIR 
Carnets is performed by the above-mentioned international 
organisation.  
8.13. Article 13  
8.13.1-1. Paragraph 1 — Financial arrangements  
Following an initial period of two years, the Contracting 
Parties to the Convention envisage the operation of the 
TIR Executive Board and the TIR secretariat to be 
financed through the Regular Budget of the United 
Nations. This does not preclude a prolongation of the 
initial financing arrangement should financing from the 
United Nations or alternative sources not be forthcoming.  
8.13.1-2. Paragraph 1 — Operation of the TIR Executive Board  
The work of the members of the TIR Executive Board will 
be financed by their respective Governments.  
8.13.1-3. Paragraph 1 — Amount  
The amount referred to in paragraph 1 shall be based on (a) 
the budget and cost plan of the TIR Executive Board and 
TIR Secretariat as approved by the Administrative 
Committee and (b) the forecast of the number of TIR 
carnets to be distributed as established by the international 
organisation.  
8.13.2. Paragraph 2  
Following consultation with the international organisation as 
referred in Article 6, the procedure referred to in paragraph 2  
shall be reflected in the agreement between the UNECE, as 
mandated by and acting on behalf of the Contracting Parties, 
and the international organisation as referred to in Article 6.  
The agreement shall be approved by the Administrative 
Committee  
9. ANNEX 9  
9.I. Part I  
▼M2 __________  
▼B 
9.II. Part II  
9.II.3. Paragraph 3 — Authorisation Committee  
It is recommended to establish national authorisation 
committees comprising representatives of the competent 
authorities, national associations and other organisations 
concerned.  
▼M5 
9.II.4. Paragraph 4  
The legal requirements for data submission, as set out in 
paragraph 4 are deemed to be fulfilled by means of the 
proper use of electronic applications developed to this end 
by the TIR secretariat under the supervision of the TIR 
Executive Board. (ECE/TRANS/WP.30/AC.2/113, para. 30).  
9.II.5. Paragraph 5  
Explanatory Note 9.II.4 applies  mutatis mutandis  to 
paragraph 5. ECE/TRANS/WP.30/AC.2/113, para. 30).  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 80  
Sketch No 1  
EXAMPLE OF A HINGE AND CUSTOMS SEALING DEVICE ON DOORS OF VEHIC LES 
HAVING INSULATED LOAD COMPARTMENTS
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 81  
Sketch No 1a  
EXAMPLE OF A HINGE NOT REQUIRING SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR 
THE HINGE-PIN  
The hinge illustrated below complies with the requirements of E xplanatory Note 
2.2.1(b), paragraph (b), second sentence. The design of the str ap and the 
hinge-plate make any special protection of the pin unnecessary,  since the 
shoulders of the strap extend behind the edges of the hinge-pla te. These 
shoulders therefore prevent the Customs-sealed door from being opened at the 
hinged side without leaving obvious traces, even if the unprote cted pin has been 
removed.
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 82  
Sketch No 2  
SHEETED VEHICLE WITH SLIDING RINGS
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 83  
Sketch No 2a  
EXAMPLE OF A SWIVEL RING (‘D’ RING)
  ▼B
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Sketch No 3  
EXAMPLE OF A DEVICE FOR FASTENING VEHICLE SHEETS  
The device illustrated below meets the requirements of the last  part of paragraph 
11(a) of Annex 2, Article 3. It also meets the requirements of Annex 2, Article 3, 
paragraph s (a) and 6(b).
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 85  
Sketch No 4  
DEVICE FOR FASTENING SHEETS  
The device illustrated below meets the requirements of Annex 2.  Article 3. 
subparagraphs 6(a) and 6 (b).
  ▼B
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Sketch No 5  
EXAMPLE OF A FASTENING DEVICE INSERTED FROM THE INSIDE OF INSUL ATED 
DOOR CONSTRUCTION
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 87  
ANNEX 7  
REGARDING APPROVAL OF CONTAINERS  
PART I  
REGULATIONS ON TECHNICAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO 
CONTAINERS WHICH MAY BE ACCEPTED FOR INTERNATIONAL 
TRANSPORT UNDER CUSTOMS SEAL  
Article 1  
Basic principles  
Approval for the international transport of goods under Customs  seal may be 
granted only to containers constructed and equipped in such a m anner that:  
(a) no goods can be removed from, or introduced into, the seale d part of the 
container without leaving visible traces of tampering or withou t breaking the 
Customs seal;  
(b) Customs seals can be simply and effectively affixed to them ; 
(c) they contain no concealed spaces where goods may be hidden;  
(d) all spaces capable of holding goods are readily accessible for Customs 
inspection.  
Article 2  
Structure of containers  
1. To meet the requirements of Article 1 of these Regulations:  
(a) the constituent parts of the container (sides, floor, doors , roof, uprights, 
frames, cross-pieces, etc.) shall be assembled either by means of devices 
which cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without l eaving 
visible traces or by such methods as will produce a structure w hich cannot 
be modified without leaving visible traces. When the sides, flo or, doors and 
roof are made up of various components, these shall meet the sa me 
requirements and be of sufficient strength;  
(b) doors and all other closing systems (including stopcocks, m anhole-covers, 
flanges, etc.) shall be fitted with a device on which Customs s eals can be 
fixed. This device must be such that it cannot be removed and r eplaced from 
outside the container without leaving visible traces, or the do or or fastening 
be opened without breaking the Customs seals. The latter shall be adequately 
protected. Opening roofs shall be permitted;  
(c) apertures for ventilation and drainage shall be provided wi th a device 
preventing access to the interior of the container. This device  must be 
such that it cannot be removed and replaced from outside the co ntainer 
without leaving visible traces.  
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 1(c) of these Regu lations, 
constituent parts of the container which, for practical reasons , have to include 
empty spaces (for example, between the partitions of a double w all) shall be 
permitted. In order that the said spaces cannot be used to conc eal goods:  
(i) where it covers the full height from floor to roof, or, in other cases, where 
the space between it and the outer wall is completely enclosed,  the lining 
inside the container shall be so fitted that it cannot be remov ed and replaced 
without leaving obvious traces, and  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 88  
(ii) where a lining is of less than full height and the spaces between the lining 
and the outer wall are not completely enclosed, and in all othe r cases where 
spaces occur in the construction of a container, the number of such spaces 
shall be kept to a minimum and these spaces shall be readily ac cessible for 
Customs inspection.  
3. Windows shall be allowed in demountable bodies as defined in  Annex 6, 
Explanatory Note 0.1(j) of the Convention, provided that they a re made of 
materials of sufficient strength and that they cannot be remove d and replaced 
from the outside without leaving obvious traces. Glass may neve rtheless be 
permitted, but if glass other than safety glass is used, the wi ndows shall be 
fitted with a fixed metal grille which cannot be removed from t he outside; the 
mesh of the grille shall not exceed 10 mm. Windows shall not be  allowed in 
containers as defined in Article 1(j) of the Convention other t han in demountable 
bodies as defined in Annex 6, Explanatory Note 0.1(j) of the Co nvention.  
Article 3  
Containers capable of being folded or dismantled  
Containers capable of being folded or dismantled shall be subje ct to the 
provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of these Regulations; in additio n, they shall be 
fitted with a bolting system which locks the various parts toge ther once the 
container has been erected. This bolting system must be capable  of being 
sealed by the Customs if it is on the outside of the container when the latter 
has been erected.  
Article 4  
Sheeted containers  
1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1, 2 and 3 of t hese Regulations 
shall apply to sheeted containers. In addition, these container s shall conform to 
the provisions of this Article.  
2. The sheet shall be either of strong canvas or of plastic-cov ered or 
rubberised cloth, which shall be of sufficient strength and uns tretchable. It 
shall be in good condition and made up in such a way that once the closing 
device has been secured, it is impossible to gain access to the  load without 
leaving visible traces.  
3. If the sheet is made up of several pieces, their edges shall  be folded into 
one another and sewn together with two seams at least 15 mm apa rt. These 
seams shall be made as shown in sketch No 1 appended to these R egulations; 
however, where in the case of certain parts of the sheet (such as flaps and 
reinforced corners) it is not possible to assemble the pieces i n that way, it 
shall be sufficient to fold the edge of the top section and mak e the seams as 
shown in sketch No 2 appended to these Regulations. One of the seams shall be 
visible only from the inside and the colour of the thread used for that seam shall 
be clearly different from the colour of the sheet itself and fr om the colour of the 
thread used for the other seam. All seams shall be machine-sewn . 
4. If the sheet is of plastic-covered cloth, and is made up of several pieces, the 
pieces may alternatively be welded together in the manner shown  in sketch No 3 
appended to these Regulations. The edges of the pieces shall ov erlap by at least 
15 mm. The pieces shall be fused together over the whole width of the overlap. 
The edge of the outer sheet shall be covered with a band of pla stic material at 
least 7 mm wide, affixed by the same welding process. The plast ic band and a 
width of at least 3 mm on each side shall have a well-marked un iform relief 
stamped on it. The pieces shall be welded in such a way that th ey cannot be 
separated and rejoined without leaving visible traces.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 89  
5. Repairs shall be made in accordance with the method describe d in sketch 
No 4 appended to these Regulations; the edges shall be folded i nto one another 
and sewn together with two visible seams at least 15 mm apart; the colour of the 
thread visible from the inside shall be different from that of the thread visible 
from the outside and from that of the sheet itself; all seams s hall be 
machine-sewn. When a sheet which has been damaged near the edge s is 
repaired by replacing the damaged part by a patch, the seam can  also be made 
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Articl e and sketch No 1 
appended to these Regulations. Sheets of plastic-covered cloth may alternatively 
be repaired in accordance with the method described in paragrap h 4 of this 
Article, but in that case the plastic band must be affixed to b oth sides of the 
sheet, the patch being fitted on the inside of the sheet.  
6. The sheet shall be fixed to the container in strict complian ce with the 
conditions set forth in Article 1(a) and (b) of these Regulatio ns. The following 
systems can be used:  
(a) The sheet can be secured by:  
(i) metal rings fixed to the containers;  
(ii) eyelets let into the edge of the sheet, and  
(iii) a fastening passing through the rings above the sheet and  visible from 
the outside for its entire length.  
The sheet shall overlap solid parts of the container by at leas t 250 mm, 
measured from the centre of the securing rings, unless the syst em of 
construction of the container by itself prevents all access to the goods.  
(b) When any edge of a sheet is to be permanently secured to a container, the 
two surfaces shall be joined together without a break and shall  be held in 
place by strong devices.  
(c) When a sheet locking system is used, it shall in locked pos ition join the sheet 
tightly to the outside of the container (as an example, see ske tch No 6 
appended to these Regulations).  
7. The sheet shall be supported by an adequate superstructure ( uprights, sides, 
arches, slats, etc.).  
8. The spaces between the rings and the spaces between the eyel ets shall not 
exceed 200 mm. The spaces may however be greater but shall not exceed 
300 mm between rings and eyelets on either side of the upright if the 
construction of the container and the sheet is such as to preve nt all access to 
the interior of the container. The eyelets shall be reinforced.  
9. The following fastenings shall be used:  
(a) steel wire rope of at least 3 mm diameter; or  
(b) ropes of hemp or sisal of at least 8 mm diameter encased in  a transparent 
sheath unstretchable plastic; or  
(c) ropes consisting of batches of fibre-optic lines inside a s pirally wound steel 
housing encased in a transparent sheath of unstretchable plasti c; or  
(d) ropes comprising a textile cord surrounded by at least four  strands consisting 
solely of steel wire and completely covering the core, under th e condition 
that the ropes (without taking into account the transparent she ath, if any) are 
not less than 3 mm in diameter.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 90  
Ropes in accordance with paragraph 9(a) or (d) of this Article may have a 
transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic.  
In cases where the sheet has to be fixed to the frame in a syst em of 
construction which otherwise complies with the provisions of pa ragraph 
6(a) of this Article, a thong can be used as fastening (an exam ple of such 
a system of construction is given in sketch No 7 appended to th is Annex). 
The thong has to comply with the requirements stipulated in par agraph 
11(a)(iii) with regard to material, dimensions and shape.  
10. Each type of rope shall be in one piece and have a hard met al end-piece at 
each end. Each metal end-piece shall allow the introduction of the thread or strap 
of the Customs seal. The fastener of each metal end-piece of ro pes in accordance 
with the provisions of paragraph 9(a), (b) and (d) of this Arti cle shall include a 
hollow rivet passing through the rope so as to allow the introd uction of the 
thread or strap of the Customs seal. The rope shall remain visi ble on either 
side of the hollow rivet so that it is possible to ensure that the rope is in one 
piece (see sketch No 5 appended to these Regulations).  
11. At the openings in the sheet, used for loading and unloadin g, the two 
surfaces shall be joined together. The following systems can be  used:  
(a) The two edges of the sheet shall have an adequate overlap. They shall also 
be fastened by:  
(i) a flap sewn or welded in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4  of this 
Article;  
(ii) rings and eyelets meeting the conditions of paragraph 8 of  this Article, 
the rings shall be manufactured of metal; and  
(iii) a thong made of appropriate material, in one piece and un stretchable, at 
least 20 mm wide and 3 mm thick, passing through the rings and 
holding together the two edges of the sheet and the flap; the t hong 
shall be secured inside the sheet and fitted either with:  
— an eyelet to take the rope mentioned in paragraph 9 of this A rticle 
or, 
— an eyelet which can be attached to a metal ring mentioned in 
paragraph 6 of this Article and be secured by the rope mentione d 
in paragraph 9 of this Article.  
A flap shall not be required if a special device, such as a baf fle plate, is 
fitted, which prevents access to the container without leaving obvious traces. 
Neither shall a flap be required for containers with sliding sh eets. 
(b) A special locking system holding the edges of the sheet tig htly locked when 
the container is closed and sealed. The system shall be provide d with an 
opening through which a metal ring mentioned in paragraph 6 of this Article 
can pass and be secured by the rope mentioned in paragraph 9 of  this Article. 
Such a system is described in sketch No 8 appended to this Anne x. 
12. The identification marks, which must appear on the containe r, and the 
approval plate provided for in Part II of this Annex, shall in no circumstances 
be covered by the sheet.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 91  
Article 5  
Containers with sliding sheets  
1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1, 2, 3 and 4 o f these Regulations 
shall apply to containers with sliding sheets. In addition, the se containers shall 
conform to the provisions of this Article.  
2. The sliding sheets, floor, doors and all other constituent p arts of the container 
shall fulfil either the requirements in Article 4, paragraphs 6 , 8, 9 and 11 of 
these Regulations or the requirements set out in (i) to (vi) be low. 
▼M6 
(i) The sliding sheets, floor, doors and all other constituent parts of the 
container shall be assembled either by means of devices which c annot 
be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obviou s traces, 
or by such methods as will produce a structure which cannot be modified 
without leaving obvious traces.  
▼B 
(ii) The sheet shall overlap the solid parts at the top of the container by at 
least 1/4 of the actual distance between the tensioning straps.  The sheet 
shall overlap the solid parts at the bottom of the container by  at least 
50 mm. The horizontal opening between the sheet and the solid p arts of 
the container may not exceed 10 mm measured perpendicular to th e 
longitudinal axis of the container at any place when the contai ner is 
secured and sealed for Customs purposes.  
▼M6 
(iii) The sliding sheet guidance, sliding sheet tension devices  and other 
movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that when closed , and 
Customs sealed, doors and other movable parts cannot be opened or 
closed from the outside without leaving obvious traces. The sli ding 
sheet guidance, sliding sheet tension devices and other movable  parts 
shall be assembled in such a way that it is impossible to gain access 
to the container without leaving obvious traces once the closin g devices 
has been secured. An example of such a system of construction i s given 
in sketch No 9 appended to these Regulations.  
▼B 
(iv) The horizontal distance between the rings, used for Custom s purposes, on 
the solid parts of the container shall not exceed 200 mm. The s pace may, 
however, be greater but shall not exceed 300 mm between the rin gs on 
either side of the upright if the construction of the container  and the 
sheets is such as preventing all access to the container. In an y case, 
the conditions laid down in (ii) above shall be complied with.  
(v) The distance between the tensioning straps shall not exceed  600 mm.  
(vi) The fastenings used to secure the sheets to the solid part s of the container 
shall fulfil the requirements in Article 4, paragraph 9 of thes e Regu­
lations.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 92  
Article 6  
Containers with a sheeted sliding roof  
1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of these 
Regulations shall apply to containers with a sheeted sliding ro of. In addition, 
these containers shall conform to the provisions of this Articl e. 
2. The sheeted sliding roof shall fulfil the requirements set o ut in (i) to (iii) 
below.  
(i) The sheeted sliding roof shall be assembled either by means  of devices 
which cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without l eaving 
obvious traces, or by such methods as will produce a structure which cannot 
be modified without leaving obvious traces.  
(ii) The sliding roof sheet shall overlap with the solid part o f the roof at the 
front side of the container, so that the roof sheet cannot be p ulled over the 
top edge of the upper cantrail. In the length of the container,  at both sides, 
in the hem of the roof sheet, a pre-stressed steel cable shall be inserted in 
such a way that it cannot be removed and re-inserted without le aving 
obvious traces. The roof sheet shall be secured to the sliding carriage in 
such a way that it cannot be removed and re-secured without lea ving 
obvious traces.  
(iii) The sliding roof guidance, the sliding roof tension devic es and other 
movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that when closed , and 
Customs sealed, doors, roof and other movable parts cannot be o pened or 
closed from the outside without leaving obvious traces. The sli ding roof 
guidance, sliding roof tension devices and other movable parts shall be 
assembled in such a way that it is impossible to gain access to  the 
container without leaving obvious traces once the closing devic es have 
been secured.  
An example of a possible system of construction is shown in ske tch No 10, 
appended to these Regulations.  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 93  
Sketch No 1  
SHEETS MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES
  ▼B
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Sketch No 2  
SHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 95  
Sketch No 3  
SHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 96  
Sketch No 4  
REPAIR OF THE SHEET
  ▼B
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Sketch No 5  
SPECIMEN OF END-PIECE
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 98  
Sketch No 6  
EXAMPLE OF SHEET LOCKING SYSTEM
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 99  
Sketch No 7  
EXAMPLE OF SHEETS FIXED TO SPECIAL-SHAPED FRAMES
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 100  
Sketch No 8  
SHEET LOCKING SYSTEM AT OPENINGS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 101  
Sketch No 9  
EXAMPLE OF A CONSTRUCTION OF A CONTAINER WITH SLIDING SHEETS
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 102  
Sketch No 9 continued:
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 103  
Sketch No 9 continued:
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 104  
Sketch No 10  
EXAMPLE OF A CONSTRUCTION OF A CONTAINER WITH A SHEETED SLIDING  ROOF
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 105  
Sketch No 10 continued:
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 106  
Sketch No 10 continued:
  ▼M6
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 107  
PART II  
PROCEDURES FOR THE APPROVAL OF CONTAINERS COMPLYING 
WITH THE TECHNICAL CONDITIONS PRESCRIBED IN PART I  
General  
1. Containers may be approved for the transport of goods under Customs seal 
either:  
(a) at the manufacturing stage, by design type (procedure for a pproval at the 
manufacturing stage); or  
(b) at a stage subsequent to manufacture, either individually o r in respect of 
a specified number of containers of the same type (procedure fo r 
approval at a stage subsequent to manufacture).  
Provisions common to both approval procedures  
2. The competent authority responsible for granting approval sh all issue to the 
applicant, after approval, a Certificate of Approval valid, as the case may be, 
either for an unlimited series of containers of the approved ty pe or for a 
specified number of containers.  
3. The beneficiary of approval shall affix an approval plate to  the approved 
container or containers before their use for the transport of g oods under 
Customs seal.  
4. The approval plate shall be affixed permanently and in a cle arly visible place 
adjacent to any other approval plate issued for official purpos es. 
5. The approval plate, conforming to model No I reproduced in A ppendix 1 to 
this Part, shall take the form of a metal plate measuring not l ess than 20 cm 
by 10 cm. The following particulars shall be stamped into or em bossed on 
the plate or indicated on its surface in any other permanent an d legible way, 
in at least the English or the French language:  
(a) the words ‘Approved for transport under Customs seal’;  
(b) an indication of the country in which approval was granted either by 
name or by means of the distinguishing sign used to indicate th e country 
of registration of motor vehicles in international road traffic , and the 
number (figures, letters, etc.) of the Certificate of Approval and the 
year (e.g. ‘NL/26/73’ means ‘Netherlands, Certificate of Approv al 
No 26, issued in 1973’);  
(c) the serial number assigned to the container by the manufact urer (manu­
facturer's number);  
(d) if the container has been approved by type, the identificat ion numbers or 
letters of the type of container.  
6. If a container no longer complies with the technical conditi ons prescribed for 
its approval, it shall, before it can be used for the transport  of goods under 
Customs seal, be restored to the condition which had justified its approval, 
so as to comply again with the said technical conditions.  
7. If the essential characteristics of a container are changed,  the container shall 
cease to be covered by the approval and shall be re-approved by  the 
competent authority before it can be used for the transport of goods under 
Customs seal.  
Special provisions for approval by design type at the manufacturing stage  
8. Where the containers are manufactured by type series, the ma nufacturer may 
apply to the competent authority of the country of manufacture for approval 
by design type.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 108  
9. The manufacturer shall state in his application the identifi cation numbers or 
letters which he assigns to the type of container to which his application for 
approval relates.  
10. The application shall be accompanied by drawings and a deta iled design 
specification of the container type to be approved.  
11. The manufacturer shall give an undertaking in writing that he will:  
(a) produce to the competent authority such containers of the t ype concerned 
as that authority may wish to examine;  
(b) permit the competent authority to examine further units at any time 
during the production of the type series concerned;  
(c) advise the competent authorities of any change, of whatever  magnitude, 
in the design or specification before proceeding with such chan ge; 
(d) mark the containers in a visible place with, in addition to  the markings 
required on the approval plate, the identification numbers or l etters of the 
design type and the serial number of the container in the type series 
(manufacturer's number);  
(e) keep a record of containers manufactured to the approved de sign type.  
12. The competent authority shall state what changes, if any, m ust be made to 
the proposed design type so that approval may be granted.  
13. No type-approval by design type shall be granted unless the  competent 
authority has satisfied itself by examination of one or more co ntainers manu­
factured to the design type concerned that containers of that t ype comply 
with the technical conditions prescribed in Part I.  
14. When a container type is approved there shall be issued to the applicant a 
single Certificate of Approval conforming to model No II reprod uced in 
appendix 2 to this Part and valid for all containers manufactur ed in 
conformity with the specifications of the type so approved. Suc h Certificate 
shall entitle the manufacturer to affix to every container of t he type series an 
approval plate in the form prescribed in paragraph 5 of this Pa rt. 
Special provisions for approval at a stage subsequent to manufacture  
15. If approval has not been applied for at the manufacturing s tage, the owner, 
the operator, or the representative of either, may apply for ap proval to the 
competent authority to which he is able to produce the containe r or 
containers and for which he seeks approval.  
16. An application for approval submitted under paragraph 15 of  this Part shall 
state the serial number (manufacturer's number) placed on each container by 
the manufacturer.  
17. When the competent authority has ascertained that the conta iner or 
containers comply with the technical conditions prescribed in P art I, by 
examination of as many containers as it considers necessary, it  shall issue 
a Certificate of Approval conforming to model No III reproduced  in 
Appendix 3 to this Part and valid solely for the number of cont ainers 
approved. Such Certificate, which shall bear the manufacturer's  serial 
number or numbers assigned to the container or containers to wh ich it 
relates, shall entitle the applicant to affix to each container  so approved 
the approval plate prescribed in paragraph 5 of this Part.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 109  
Appendix 1  
Model No I  
Approval plate  
(English version)
  
Model No I  
Approval plate  
(French version)
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 110  
Appendix 2  
Model No II
  ▼B
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IMPORTANT NOTICE  
(Annex 7, Part II, paragraphs 6 and 7 to the Customs Convention  on the International Transport of 
Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets, 1975)
  ▼B
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Appendix 3  
Model No III
  ▼B
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IMPORTANT NOTICE  
(Annex 7, Part II, paragraphs 6 and 7, to the Customs Conventio n on the International Transport of 
Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets, 1975)
  ▼B
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PART III  
EXPLANATORY NOTES  
The Explanatory Notes to Annex 2 set out in Annex 6 to this Con vention apply  
mutatis mutandis  to containers approved for transport under Customs seal in 
accordance with this Convention.  
7.I.4.6(a) Part I, Article 4, paragraph 6(a)  
Example of a system of affixing sheets around containers' corne r-castings, 
acceptable from Customs point of view, is given in the sketch a ppended to 
Annex 7, Part III.  
7.II.5(d) Part II — paragraph 5(d)  
If two sheeted containers, approved for transport under Customs  seals have been 
joined together in such a way that they form one container, cov ered by a single 
sheet and fulfilling the conditions for transport under Customs  seal, a separate 
Certificate of Approval, or approval plate, shall not be requir ed for the 
combination.  ▼B
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DEVICE FOR AFFIXING SHEETS AROUND CONTAINERS' CORNER 
CASTINGS
  ▼B
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ANNEX 8  
COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS AND RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE AND THE TIR EXECUTIVE BOARD  
COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS AND RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE 
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE  
Article 1  
(i) The Contracting Parties shall be members of the Administrat ive Committee.  
(ii) The Committee may decide that the competent administration s of States 
referred to in Article 52, paragraph 1 of this Convention which  are not 
Contracting Parties or representatives of international organis ations may, 
for questions which interest them, attend the sessions of the C ommittee as 
observers.  
Article 1  bis 
1. The Committee shall consider any proposed amendment to the C onvention 
in accordance with Article 59, paragraphs 1 and 2.  
2. The Committee shall monitor the application of the Conventio n and shall 
examine any measure taken by Contracting Parties, associations and international 
organisations under the Convention and their conformity therewi th. 
3. The Committee, through the TIR Executive Board, shall superv ise and 
provide support in the application of the Convention at the nat ional and inter­
national levels.  
▼M7 
4. The Committee shall receive and examine the annual audited f inancial 
statements and audit report(s) submitted by the international o rganization 
pursuant to the obligations under Annex 9, Part III. In the cou rse and within 
the scope of its examination, the Committee may request that ad ditional 
information, clarifications or documents be provided by the int ernational organ­
ization or the independent external auditor.  
5. Without prejudice to the examination mentioned in paragraph 4, the 
Committee shall, on the basis of a risk assessment, have the ri ght to request 
additional examinations to be carried out. The Committee shall mandate the TIR 
Executive Board or request the competent United Nations service s to carry out 
the risk assessment.  
The scope of additional examinations shall be determined by the  Committee, 
taking into account the risk assessment of the TIR Executive Bo ard or of the 
competent United Nations services.  
The results of all examinations referred to in this article sha ll be kept by the TIR 
Executive Board and provided to all Contracting Parties for due  consideration.  
6. The procedure for undertaking the additional examinations sh all be 
approved by the Committee.  
▼B 
Article 2  
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide the C ommittee with 
secretariat services.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 117  
Article 3  
The Committee shall, at its first session each year, elect a ch airman and a vice- 
chairman.  
Article 4  
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall convene under  the auspices of 
the Economic Commission for Europe the Committee annually and a lso at the 
request of the competent administrations of at least five State s which are 
Contracting Parties.  
Article 5  
Proposals shall be put to the vote. Each State which is a Contr acting Party 
represented at the session shall have one vote. Proposals other  than amendments 
to this Convention shall be adopted by the Committee by a major ity of those 
present and voting. Amendments to this Convention and the decis ions referred to 
in Articles 59 and 60 of this Convention shall be adopted by a two-thirds 
majority of those present and voting.  
Article 6  
A quorum consisting of not less than one third of the States wh ich are 
Contracting Parties is required for the purposes of taking deci sions.  
Article 7  
Before the closure of its session, the Committee shall adopt it s report.  
Article 8  
In the absence of relevant provisions in this Annex, the Rules of Procedure of the 
Economic Commission for Europe shall be applicable unless the C ommittee 
decides otherwise.  
COMPOSITION, FUNCTIONS AND RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE TIR 
EXECUTIVE BOARD  
Article 9  
1. The TIR Executive Board established by the Administrative Co mmittee in 
accordance with Article 58  ter, shall be composed of nine members, each from 
different Contracting Parties to the Convention. The TIR Secret ary will attend the 
sessions of the Board.  
2. The members of the TIR Executive Board shall be elected by t he Admin­
istrative Committee by a majority of those present and voting. The term of office 
of each member of the TIR Executive Board shall be two years. T he members of 
the TIR Executive Board may be re-elected. The Terms of Referen ce for the TIR 
Executive Board shall be established by the Administrative Comm ittee.  
Article 10  
The TIR Executive Board shall:  
(a) supervise the application of the Convention, including the operation of the 
guarantee system, and fulfil the functions entrusted to it by t he Administra­
tive Committee;  ▼B
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(b) supervise the centralised printing and distribution to the associations of TIR 
Carnets which may be performed by an agreed international organ isation as 
referred to in Article 6;  
(c) coordinate and foster the exchange of intelligence and othe r information 
among competent authorities of Contracting Parties;  
(d) coordinate and foster the exchange of information between c ompetent auth­
orities of Contracting Parties, associations and international organisations;  
(e) facilitate the settlement of disputes between Contracting P arties, associations, 
insurance companies and international organisations without pre judice to 
Article 57 on the settlement of disputes;  
(f) support the training of personnel of Customs authorities an d other interested 
parties concerned with the TIR procedure;  
(g) maintain a central record for the dissemination to Contract ing Parties of 
information to be provided by the international organisations a s referred to 
in Article 6, on all rules and procedures prescribed for the is sue of TIR 
Carnets by associations, as far as they relate to the minimum c onditions 
and requirements laid down in Annex 9;  
(h) monitor the price of TIR Carnets.  
Article 11  
1. A session of the Board shall be convened by the TIR Secretar y at the 
request of the Administrative Committee or by at least three me mbers of the 
Board.  
2. The Board shall strive to take decisions by consensus. If no  consensus can 
be reached, decisions shall be put to vote and shall be taken b y a majority of 
those present and voting. A quorum of five members is required for the purposes 
of taking decisions. The TIR Secretary shall have no vote.  
3. The Board shall elect a Chairman and shall adopt any additio nal rules of 
procedure.  
4. The Board shall report on its activities, including the subm ission of audited 
accounts, to the Administrative Committee at least once a year or at the request 
of the Administrative Committee. The Board will be represented in the Admin­
istrative Committee by its Chairman.  
5. The Board shall consider any information and queries transmi tted to it by 
the Administrative Committee, Contracting Parties, the TIR Secr etary, national 
associations and international organisations referred to in Art icle 6 of the 
Convention. These international organisations shall have the ri ght to attend the 
sessions of the TIR Executive Board as observers unless its Cha irman decides 
otherwise. If necessary, any other organisation may attend the sessions of the 
Board as observer at the invitation of the Chairman.  
Article 12  
The TIR Secretary shall be a member of the secretariat of the U nited Nations 
Economic Commission for Europe and shall execute the decisions of the TIR 
Executive Board within the Terms of Reference of the Board. The  TIR Secretary 
will be assisted by a TIR secretariat, the size of which shall be determined by the 
Administrative Committee.  ▼B
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Article 13  
1. The operation of the TIR Executive Board and the TIR Secreta riat shall be 
financed, until such time as alternative sources of funding are  obtained, through 
an amount per TIR carnet distributed by the international organ isation as referred 
to in Article 6. This amount shall be approved by the Administr ative Committee.  
2. The procedure to implement the financing of the operation of  the TIR 
Executive Board and the TIR Secretariat shall be approved by th e Administrative 
Committee.  ▼B
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ANNEX 9  
ACCESS TO THE TIR PROCEDURE  
PART I  
AUTHORISATION FOR ASSOCIATIONS TO ISSUE TIR CARNETS 
►M2 AND TO ACT AS GUARANTOR ◄ 
►M2 __________  ◄ ►M7 Minimum ◄ conditions and requirements  
1. The  ►M7 minimum ◄  ►M2 __________  ◄ conditions and requirements 
to be complied with by associations in order to be authorised b y Contracting 
Parties to issue TIR Carnets and act as guarantor in accordance  with Article 6 
of the Convention are:  
(a) Proven existence for at least one year as an  ►M2 association established 
in the Contracting Party where the authorisation is issued ◄.  
(b) Proof of sound financial standing and organisational capabi lities enabling  
►M2 the association ◄ to fulfil its obligations under the Conventi on. 
▼M2 __________  
▼B 
►M2 (c) ◄ Absence of serious or repeated offences against Customs or tax 
legislation.  
▼M2 
(d) Establishment of a written agreement or any other legal ins trument 
between the association and the competent authorities of the Co ntracting 
Party in which it is established including the acceptance by th e association 
of its duties as set out in paragraph 3 of this Article.  
2. A certified copy of the written agreement or any other legal  instrument 
referred to under paragraph 1(d) together, if necessary, with a  certified trans­
lation into English, French or Russian shall be deposited with the TIR 
Executive Board. Any changes shall be immediately brought to th e 
attention of the TIR Executive Board.  
3. The duties of the association are to:  
(i) comply with the obligations laid down in Article 8 of the C onvention;  
(ii) accept the maximum sum per TIR Carnet determined by the Co ntracting 
Parties which may be claimed from the association in accordance  with 
Article 8, paragraph 3 of the Convention;  
(iii) verify continuously and, in particular, before requesting  authorisation 
for access of persons to the TIR procedure, the fulfilment of t he 
minimum conditions and requirements as laid down in Part II of this 
Annex;  
(iv) provide its guarantees for all liabilities incurred in the  country in which 
it is established in connection with operations under cover of TIR 
Carnets issued by itself and by foreign associations affiliated  to the 
same international organisation as that to which it is itself a ffiliated;  ▼B
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(v) cover its liabilities to the satisfaction of the competent authorities of the 
Contracting Party in which it is established with an insurance company, 
pool of insurers or financial institution. The insurance or fin ancial 
guarantee contract(s) shall cover the totality of its liabiliti es in 
connection with operations under cover of TIR Carnets issued by  
itself and by foreign associations affiliated to the same inter national 
organisation as that to which it is itself affiliated;  
The time to give notice for the termination of the insurance or  financial 
guarantee contract(s) shall be not less than the time to give n otice for 
the termination of the written agreement or any other legal ins trument as 
referred to in paragraph 1(d). A certified copy of the insuranc e or 
financial contract(s) as well as all subsequent modifications t hereto 
shall be deposited with the TIR Executive Board, including a ce rtified 
translation, if necessary, into English, French or Russian;  
▼M5 
(vi) provide the TIR Executive Board, annually, before 1 March with the 
price of each type of TIR Carnet it issues;  
▼M2 
(vii) allow the competent authorities to verify all records and  accounts kept 
relating to the administration of the TIR procedure;  
(viii) accept a procedure for settling efficiently disputes ari sing from the 
improper or fraudulent use of TIR Carnets, whenever possible wi thout 
recourse to courts;  
(ix) comply strictly with the decisions of the competent author ities of the 
Contracting Party in which it is established concerning the rev ocation or 
withdrawal of the authorisation in line with Article 6 of the C onvention 
and Part II of this Annex or the exclusion of persons in line w ith 
Article 38 of the Convention;  
(x) agree to implement faithfully all decisions adopted by the Administra­
tive Committee and the TIR Executive Board in as much as the 
competent authorities of the Contracting Party in which the ass ociation 
is established have accepted them;  
▼M10  
(xi) confirm, in case of a fallback procedure described in Arti cle 10, 
paragraph 2 of Annex 11, for Contracting Parties bound by 
Annex 11, upon request of the competent authorities, that the 
guarantee is valid, that a TIR transport is carried out under t he eTIR 
procedure and provide other information relevant to the TIR tra nsport.  
▼M2 
4. When a guaranteeing association is asked, in accordance with  the procedure 
set out in Article 11, to pay the sums referred to in Article 8 , paragraphs 1 
and 2, it shall, in accordance with the written agreement refer red to in 
Explanatory Note 0.6.2bis-1 to Article 6, paragraph 2 bis, info rm the inter­
national organisation of the reception of the claim.  
5. The Contracting Party in which the association is establishe d shall revoke the 
authorisation to issue TIR Carnets and to act as guarantor in c ase of 
non-compliance with these conditions and requirements. Should a  Contracting 
Party decide to revoke the authorisation, the decision shall be come effective at 
the earliest three (3) months after the date of revocation.  
▼B 
►M2 6. ◄  ►M2 The authorisation ◄ of an association under the terms set 
out above shall be without prejudice to that association's resp onsibilities and 
liabilities under the Convention.  
►M2 7. ◄ The  ►M2 __________  ◄ conditions and requirements laid 
down above are without prejudice to additional conditions and r equirements  
►M7 that each Contracting Party ◄ may wish to prescribe.  ▼M2
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PART II  
AUTHORISATION FOR NATURAL AND LEGAL PERSONS TO 
UTILISE TIR CARNETS  
Minimum conditions and requirements  
1. The minimum conditions and requirements to be complied with by persons 
wishing to have access to the TIR procedure are:  
(a) Proven experience or, at least, capability to engage in reg ular international 
transport (holder of a licence for carrying out international t ransport, etc.).  
(b) Sound financial standing.  
(c) Proven knowledge in the application of the TIR Convention.  
(d) Absence of serious or repeated offences against Customs or tax 
legislation.  
(e) An undertaking in a written declaration of commitment to th e association 
that the person:  
(i) will comply with all Customs formalities required under the  
Convention at the Customs offices of departure,  en route  and of 
destination;  
(ii) will pay the sums due, mentioned in Article 8, paragraphs 1 and 2 of 
the Convention, if requested to do so by the competent authorit ies in 
line with Article 8, paragraph 7 of the Convention;  
(iii) will, as far as national legislation permits, allow assoc iations to verify 
information on the above minimum conditions and requirements.  
2. Additional and more restrictive conditions and requirements for access to the 
TIR procedure may be introduced by the competent authorities of  Contracting 
Parties and by the associations themselves unless the competent  authorities 
decide otherwise.  
Procedure  
3. Contracting Parties will decide, in line with national legis lation, the 
procedures to be followed for access to the TIR procedure on th e basis of 
the minimum conditions and requirements set forth in paragraphs  1 and 2.  
4. The competent authorities shall transmit within one week fro m the date of 
authorisation or withdrawal of authorisation to use TIR Carnets , the particulars 
of each person to the TIR Executive Board in conformity with th e specimen 
authorisation attached (MAF).  
5. The association shall transmit annually an updated list as p er 31 December of 
all authorised persons as well as of persons whose authorisatio n has been 
withdrawn. This list shall be transmitted one week following th e 31 
December to the competent authorities. The competent authoritie s shall 
forward a copy thereof to the TIR Executive Board.  
6. The authorisation for access to the TIR procedure does not c onstitute in itself 
a right to obtain TIR Carnets from the associations.  
7. Authorisation of a person to utilise TIR Carnets under the m inimum 
conditions and requirements set out above, shall be without pre judice to 
that person's responsibilities and liabilities under the Conven tion. ▼B
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MODEL AUTHORISATION FORM (MAF)  
Country: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Name of association: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Competent authority: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
To be completed by national associations and/or competent autho rities  
ID-number  Name of 
person(s)/ 
enterprise  Business 
address  Contact 
point and 
access number 
(Tel, fax and 
e-mail number)  Business regis­
tration or 
licence number, 
etc. (*)  Earlier with­
drawal of 
authoris­
ation (**)  Date of auth­
orisation (**)  Date of with­
drawal of 
authoris­
ation (**)  Stamp/ 
signature  
… 
… 
… 
(*) if available. 
(**) if appropriate.  
For each person for which a request for authorisation is transm itted by the  
►M7 authorized ◄ association, the following information shall, at least, be 
provided to the competent authorities:  
— Individual and unique identification (ID) number assigned to the person by 
the guaranteeing association (in cooperation with the internati onal organis­
ation to which it is affiliated) in accordance with a harmonise d format. The 
format of an ID-number shall be determined by the Administrativ e 
Committee,  
— Name(s) and address(es) of the person(s) or enterprise (in ca se of a business 
association, also the names of responsible managers),  
— Contact point (natural person authorised to provide informati on on the TIR 
operation to Customs authorities and associations) with complet e telephone, 
fax and e-mail numbers),  
— Commercial registration No or international transport licence  No or other (if 
available),  
— (if applicable) Earlier withdrawal of authorisation, includin g dates, length and 
nature of withdrawal of authorisation.  
▼M4 
PART III  
Authorisation of an international organisation, as referred to in Article 6, to take 
on the responsibility for the effective organisation and functi oning of an inter­
national guarantee system and to print and distribute TIR Carne ts 
Conditions and requirements:  
1. The conditions and requirements to be complied with by an in ternational 
organisation in order to be authorised, in accordance with Arti cle 6.2  bis of 
the Convention, by the Administrative Committee to take on the responsibility 
for the effective organisation and functioning of an internatio nal guarantee 
system and to print and distribute TIR Carnets are:  
(a) proof of sound professional competence and financial standi ng for the 
effective organisation and functioning of an international guar antee 
system and the organisational capabilities to fulfil its obliga tions under 
the Convention by means of annual submissions of consolidated f inancial 
statements duly audited by internationally recognised independe nt 
auditors;  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 124  
(b) absence of serious or repeated offences against Customs or tax legislation.  
2. Pursuant to the authorisation, the international organisatio n shall:  
(a) provide the Contracting Parties of the TIR Convention via t he national 
associations affiliated to the international organisation with certified 
copies of the global guarantee contract and proof of guarantee coverage;  
(b) provide the competent bodies of the TIR Convention with inf ormation on 
the rules and procedures set out for the issue of TIR Carnets b y national 
associations;  
(c) provide the competent bodies of the TIR Convention, on a ye arly basis, 
with data on claims lodged, pending, paid or settled without pa yment;  
(d) provide the competent bodies of the TIR Convention with ful l and 
complete information on the functioning of the TIR system, in p articular, 
but not limited to, timely and well founded information on tren ds in the 
number of non-terminated TIR operations, claims lodged, pending , paid 
or settled without payment that might give rise to concerns wit h regard to 
the proper functioning of the TIR system or that could lead to difficulties 
for the continued operation of its international guarantee syst em; 
(e) provide the competent bodies of the TIR Convention with sta tistical data 
on the number of TIR Carnets distributed to each Contracting Pa rty, 
broken down by type;  
(f) provide the TIR Executive Board with details of the distrib ution price by 
the international organisation of each type of TIR Carnet;  
(g) take all possible steps to reduce the risk of counterfeitin g TIR Carnets;  
(h) take the appropriate corrective action in cases where fault s or deficiencies 
with the TIR Carnet have been detected and report these to the TIR 
Executive Board;  
(j) fully participate in cases where the TIR Executive Board is  called upon 
to facilitate the settlement of disputes;  
(k) ensure that any problem involving fraudulent activities or other 
difficulties with regard to the application of the TIR Conventi on is im­
mediately brought to the attention of the TIR Executive Board;  
(l) manage the control system for TIR Carnets, provided for in Annex 10 to 
the Convention, together with national guaranteeing association s affiliated 
to the international organisation and the Customs authorities a nd inform 
the Contracting Parties and the competent bodies of the Convent ion of 
problems encountered in the system;  
(m) provide the competent bodies of the TIR Convention with sta tistics and 
data on the performance of Contracting Parties with regard to t he control 
system provided for in Annex 10;  
(n) conclude, not less than two months before the provisional d ate of entry 
into force or renewal of the authorisation granted in accordanc e with 
Article 6.2  bis of the Convention, a written agreement with the United 
Nations Economic Commission for Europe secretariat, mandated by  and 
acting on behalf of the Administrative Committee, which shall i nclude 
the acceptance by the international organisation of its duties set out in 
this paragraph;  ▼M4
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 125  
(o) maintain separate records and accounts containing informati on and docu­
mentation which pertain to the organization and functioning of an inter­
national guarantee system and the printing and distribution of TIR 
Carnets;  
(p) provide its full and timely cooperation, including, but not  limited to, 
allowing access to the above records and accounts to the compet ent 
United Nations services or to any other duly authorized compete nt 
entity and, at all times, facilitating additional inspections a nd audits 
performed by them on behalf of Contracting Parties, pursuant to  
Annex 8, Article 1  bis, paragraphs 5 and 6;  
(q) engage an independent external auditor to conduct annual au dits of the 
records and accounts mentioned under subparagraph (o). The exte rnal 
audit shall be performed in accordance with International Stand ards on 
Auditing (ISA) and shall result in an annual audit report and a  
management letter which shall be submitted to the Administrativ e 
Committee.  
▼M4 
3. When the international organisation is informed by a guarant eeing association 
of a claim for payment, it shall, within a period of three (3) months inform the 
guaranteeing association of its position concerning the claim.  
4. All information acquired, directly or indirectly, by the int ernational organis­
ation under the Convention, which is by nature confidential or which is 
provided on a confidential basis, shall be covered by the oblig ation of profes­
sional secrecy and shall not be used or processed neither for a ny commercial 
purpose nor for any other purpose than for which it has been pr ovided or 
disclosed to any third party without the express permission of the person or 
authority that provided it. Such information may, however, be d isclosed 
without permission to competent authorities of Contracting Part ies to this 
Convention, where there is an authorisation or obligation to do  so pursuant 
to provisions of national or international law or in connection  with legal 
proceedings. The disclosure or communication of information sha ll take 
place in full compliance with data-protection provisions in for ce. 
5. The Administrative Committee shall have the right to revoke the authorisation 
granted in accordance with Article 6.2  bis in case of non-compliance with the 
above conditions and requirements. Should the Administrative Co mmittee 
decide to revoke the authorisation, the decision will become ef fective at the 
earliest six (6) months after the date of revocation.  
6. The authorisation of an international organisation under the  terms set out 
above shall be without prejudice to that organisation’s respons ibilities and 
liabilities under the Convention.  ▼M7
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 126  
ANNEX 10  
INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY CONTRACTING PARTIES TO 
AUTHORISED ASSOCIATIONS (UNDER ARTICLE 43 TER) AND AN 
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION (UNDER ARTICLE 6.2 BIS)  
By virtue of Article 6, paragraph 1 and Annex 9, Part I, paragr aph 1(f)(iii) of this 
Convention, authorised associations are required to give an und ertaking that they 
shall verify continuously that persons authorised to have acces s to the TIR 
procedure fulfil the minimum conditions and requirements as lai d down in 
Annex 9, Part II of the Convention.  
On behalf of its member associations and in fulfilment of its r esponsibilities as an 
international organisation authorised under Article 6, paragrap h 2 bis, an inter­
national organisation shall establish a control system for TIR Carnets to hold 
data, transmitted by Customs authorities and accessible by the associations and 
Customs administrations, about the termination of TIR operation s at offices of 
destination. To enable the associations to fulfil their underta king effectively, 
Contracting Parties shall provide information to the control sy stem in accordance 
with the following procedure:  
1. Customs authorities shall transmit to an international organ isation or to the 
national guaranteeing associations, if possible via central or regional offices, 
by the fastest available means of communication (fax, electroni c mail, etc.) 
and if possible on a daily basis, at least the following inform ation in a 
standard format in respect of all TIR Carnets presented at Cust oms offices 
of destination, as defined in Article 1(l) of the Convention:  
(a) TIR Carnet reference number;  
(b) Date and record number in the Customs ledger;  
(c) Name or number of Customs office of destination;  
(d) Date and reference number indicated in the certificate of t ermination of 
the TIR operation (boxes 24-28 of voucher No 2) at the Customs office of 
destination (if different from (b));  
(e) Partial or final termination;  
(f) Termination of the TIR operation certified with or without reservation at 
the Customs office of destination without prejudice to Articles  8 and 11 of 
the Convention;  
(g) Other information or documents (optional);  
(h) Page number.  
2. The Model Reconciliation Form (MRF) contained in the Appendi x may be 
addressed to Customs authorities by national associations or by  an inter­
national organisation  
(a) in case of discrepancies between the data transmitted and t hose on the 
counterfoils in the used TIR Carnet; or  
(b) in case no data have been transmitted whereas the used TIR Carnet has 
been returned to the national association.  
Customs authorities shall reply to the reconciliation requests if possible by 
returning the duly filled-in MRF as soon as possible.  
3. Customs authorities and national guaranteeing associations s hall conclude an 
agreement, in line with national law, covering the above data e xchange.  
4. An international organisation shall give Customs authorities  access to the 
database of terminated TIR Carnets and to the database of inval idated TIR 
Carnets.  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 127  
Appendix
  ▼B
 02009D0477 — EN — 01.09.2021 — 005.001 — 128  
ANNEX 11  
PART I  
Article 1  
Scope of application  
1. The provisions in this Annex govern the implementation of th e eTIR 
procedure as defined in Article 1, paragraph (s) of the Convent ion and shall 
apply in the relations between Contracting Parties bound by thi s Annex, as 
provided for in Article 60 bis, paragraph 1.  
2. The eTIR procedure cannot be used for transports taking plac e in part in the 
territory of a Contracting Party, that is not bound by Annex 11  and that is a 
member State of a customs or economic union with a single custo ms territory.  
Article 2  
Definitions  
For the purposes of this Annex:  
(a) The term ‘eTIR international system’ shall mean the Informa tion and 
Communication Technology (ICT) system devised to enable the exc hange 
of electronic information between the actors involved in the eT IR procedure.  
(b) The term ‘eTIR specifications’ shall mean the conceptual, f unctional and 
technical specifications of the eTIR procedure adopted and amen ded in 
accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of this Annex.  
(c) The term ‘advance TIR data’ shall mean the data submitted t o the competent 
authorities of the country of departure, in accordance with the  eTIR specifi­
cations, of the intention of the holder to place goods under th e eTIR 
procedure.  
(d) The term ‘advance amendment data’ shall mean the data submi tted to the 
competent authorities of the country in which an amendment to t he 
declaration data is requested, in accordance with the eTIR spec ifications, 
of the intention of the holder to amend the declaration data.  
(e) The term ‘declaration data’ shall mean the advance TIR data  and the advance 
amendment data which have been accepted by the competent author ities.  
(f) The term ‘declaration’ shall mean the act whereby the holde r, or his or her 
representative, indicates, in accordance with the eTIR specific ations, the 
intent to place goods under the eTIR procedure. From the moment  of 
acceptance of the declaration by the competent authorities, bas ed on the 
advance TIR data or the advance amendment data, and the transfe r of the 
declaration data to the eTIR international system it shall cons titute the legal 
equivalent of an accepted TIR Carnet.  
(g) The term ‘accompanying document’ shall mean the printed doc ument elec­
tronically generated by the customs system, after the acceptanc e of the 
declaration, in line with the guidelines contained in the eTIR technical spec­
ifications. The accompanying document can be used to record inc idents en 
route and replaces the certified report pursuant to Article 25 of this 
Convention and for the fallback procedure.  
(h) The term ‘authentication’ shall mean an electronic process that enables the 
electronic identification of a natural or legal person, or the origin and 
integrity of data in electronic form to be confirmed.  ▼M10
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Article 3  
Implementation of the eTIR procedure  
1. Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 shall connect their cu stoms systems 
to the eTIR international system in line with the eTIR specific ations.  
2. Each Contracting Party is free to establish by which date it  connects its 
customs systems to the eTIR international system. The date of c onnection shall 
be communicated to all other Contracting Parties bound by Annex  11 at least six 
months prior to the effective date of connection.  
Article 4  
Composition, functions and rules of procedure of the Technical 
Implementation Body  
1. The Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 shall be members o f the 
Technical Implementation Body. Its sessions shall be convened a t regular 
intervals or at the request of the Administrative Committee, as  required for the 
maintenance of the eTIR specifications. The Administrative Comm ittee shall be 
regularly informed of the activities and considerations of the Technical Im­
plementation Body.  
2. Contracting Parties which have not accepted Annex 11 as prov ided for in 
Article 60 bis, paragraph 1 and representatives of internationa l organizations may 
attend sessions of the Technical Implementation Body as observe rs. 
3. The Technical Implementation Body shall monitor the technica l and func­
tional aspects of implementing the eTIR procedure, as well as c oordinate and 
foster the exchange of information on matters falling within it s competence.  
4. The Technical Implementation Body shall, at its first sessio n, adopt its rules 
of procedure and submit them to the Administrative Committee fo r endorsement 
by the Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11.  
Article 5  
Adoption and amendment procedures for the eTIR specifications  
The Technical Implementation Body shall:  
(a) adopt the technical specifications of the eTIR procedure, a nd amendments 
thereto, to ensure their alignment with the functional specific ations of the 
eTIR procedure. At the time of adoption, it shall decide on the  appropriate 
transitional period for their implementation.  
(b) prepare the functional specifications of the eTIR procedure , and amendments 
thereto, to ensure their alignment with the conceptual specific ations of the 
eTIR procedure. They shall be transmitted to the Administrative  Committee 
for adoption by a majority of Contracting Parties bound by Anne x 11 present 
and voting as well as implemented and, when required, developed  into 
technical specifications at a date to be determined at the time  of adoption.  
(c) consider amendments to the conceptual specifications of the  eTIR procedure 
if so requested by the Administrative Committee. The conceptual  specifi­
cations of the eTIR procedure, and amendments thereto, shall be  adopted 
by a majority of Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 present and voting 
as well as implemented and, when required, developed into funct ional spec­
ification at a date to be determined at the time of adoption.  ▼M10
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Article 6  
Submission of advance TIR data and advance amendment data  
1. Advance TIR data and advance amendment data shall be submitt ed by the 
holder, or his or her representative, to the competent authorit ies of the country of 
departure and of the country in which an amendment to the decla ration data is 
requested. Once the declaration, or the amendment, has been acc epted in line 
with national law, the competent authorities shall forward the declaration data, or 
the amendment thereto, to the eTIR international system.  
2. Advance TIR data and advance amendment data mentioned in par agraph 1 
may be submitted either directly to the competent authorities o r via the eTIR 
international system.  
3. Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 shall accept the submi ssion of 
advance TIR data and advance amendment data via the eTIR intern ational 
system.  
4. The competent authorities shall publish the list of all elec tronic means by 
which advance TIR data and advance amendment data can be submit ted. 
Article 7  
Authentication  
1. While accepting the declaration in the country of departure or an 
amendment to the declaration data in any country along the itin erary, 
competent authorities shall authenticate the advance TIR data, or the advance 
amendment data, and the holder, in accordance with national law . 
2. Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 shall accept the authe ntication of 
the holder performed by the eTIR international system.  
3. The competent authorities shall publish a list of authentica tion mechanisms 
other than that specified in paragraph 2 of the present Article  that may be used 
for authentication.  
4. Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 shall accept the decla ration data 
received from the competent authorities of the country of depar ture and of the 
country in which an amendment to the declaration data is reques ted via the eTIR 
international system as the legal equivalent to an accepted TIR  Carnet.  
Article 8  
Mutual recognition of the authentication of the holder  
The authentication of the holder performed by the competent aut horities of the 
Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 which accept the declarat ion, or changes 
to the declaration data, shall be recognized by the competent a uthorities of all 
subsequent Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 throughout the  TIR transport.  
Article 9  
Additional data requirements  
1. In addition to the data specified in the functional and tech nical specifi­
cations, competent authorities may request additional data stip ulated by 
national legislation.  ▼M10
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2. Competent authorities should, to the extent possible, limit data requirements 
to those contained in the functional and technical specificatio ns and endeavour to 
facilitate the submission of additional data so as not to imped e TIR transports 
carried out in accordance with this Annex.  
Article 10  
Fallback procedure  
1. Where the eTIR procedure cannot be started for technical rea sons at the 
customs office of departure, the TIR Carnet holder may revert t o the TIR 
procedure.  
2. Where an eTIR procedure has started but its continuation is impeded for 
technical reasons, the competent authorities shall accept the a ccompanying 
document and process it in line with the procedure described in  the eTIR spec­
ifications, subject to the availability of additional informati on from alternative 
electronic systems as described in the functional and technical  specifications.  
3. The competent authorities of Contracting Parties are also en titled to request 
national guaranteeing associations to confirm that the guarante e is valid, that a 
TIR transport is carried out under the eTIR procedure and provi de other 
information relevant to the TIR transport.  
4. The procedure described in paragraph 3 shall be established in the 
agreement between the competent authorities and the national gu aranteeing 
association, as stipulated by Annex 9, Part I, paragraph 1 (d).  
Article 11  
Hosting of the eTIR international system  
1. The eTIR international system shall be hosted and administer ed under the 
auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ( ECE).  
2. ECE shall assist countries in connecting their customs syste ms to the eTIR 
international system, including by means of conformance tests t o ensure their 
proper functioning prior to the operational connection.  
3. The necessary resources shall be made available to ECE to fu lfil the obli­
gations set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. Unless  the eTIR inter­
national system is financed by resources from the United Nation s regular budget, 
the required resources shall be subject to the financial rules and regulations for 
extrabudgetary funds and projects of the United Nations. The fi nancing 
mechanism for the operation of the eTIR international system at  ECE shall be 
decided on and approved by the Administrative Committee.  
Article 12  
Administration of the eTIR international system  
1. ECE shall make the appropriate arrangements for the storage and archiving 
of the data in the eTIR international system for a minimum peri od of 10 years.  
2. All data stored in the eTIR international system may be used  by ECE on 
behalf of the competent bodies of this Convention for the purpo se of extracting 
aggregated statistics.  ▼M10
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3. The competent authorities of Contracting Parties in whose te rritory a TIR 
transport is carried out under the eTIR procedure which becomes  the subject of 
administrative or legal proceedings concerning the payment obli gation of the 
person or persons directly liable or of the national guaranteei ng association, 
may request ECE and obtain information stored in the eTIR inter national 
system pertaining to the claim in dispute for verification purp oses. This 
information may be produced as evidence in national administrat ive or legal 
proceedings.  
4. In cases other than those specified in this Article, the dis semination or 
disclosure of information stored in the eTIR international syst em to 
non-authorized persons or entities shall be prohibited.  
Article 13  
Publication of the customs offices capable of handling eTIR  
The competent authorities shall ensure that the list of customs  offices of 
departure, customs offices en route and customs offices of dest ination 
approved for accomplishing TIR operations under the eTIR proced ure, is at all 
times accurate and updated in the electronic database for appro ved customs 
offices, developed and maintained by the TIR Executive Board.  
Article 14  
Legal requirements for data submission under Annex 10 of the TIR 
Convention  
The legal requirements for data submission, as set out in Annex  10, paragraph 1, 
3 and 4 of this Convention, are deemed to be fulfilled by imple menting the eTIR 
procedure.  
PART II  
Explanatory Notes to Annex 11, Article 2 (h)  
11.2 (h)-1 Until a harmonized approach has been established and  described in 
the eTIR specifications, Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 may 
authenticate the holder with any process provided for in their national 
law, including, but not limited to, user name/password or elect ronic 
signatures.  
11.2. (h)-2 The integrity of the data exchanged between the eTI R international 
system and the competent authorities as well as the authenticat ion of 
the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems will  
be ensured by means of secure connections, as defined in the eT IR 
technical specifications.  
Explanatory Note to Annex 11, Article 3, paragraph 2  
11.3.2 Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 are recommended to  have 
their national customs system updated and its connection with t he 
eTIR international system ensured as soon as Annex 11 enters in to 
force for them. Customs or economic unions may decide on a late r 
date, allowing them time to connect the national customs system s of 
all their member States to the eTIR international system.  
Explanatory Note to Annex 11, Article 6, paragraph 3  
11.6.3 Contracting Parties bound by Annex 11 are recommended to  
recognize, in as far as possible, the submission of advance TIR  
data and advance amendment data by the methods indicated in the  
functional and technical specifications.  ▼M10
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Explanatory Note to Annex 11, Article 7, paragraph 2  
11.7.2 The eTIR international system ensures, by means describe d in the 
eTIR specifications, the integrity of the advance TIR data, or the 
advance amendment data, and that the data were sent by the hold er. 
Explanatory Note to Annex 11, Article 7, paragraph 4  
11.7.4 The eTIR international system ensures, by means describe d in the 
eTIR specifications, the integrity of the declaration data and that the 
data were sent by the competent authorities of the countries in volved 
in the transport.  
Explanatory Note to Annex 11, Article 8  
11.8 The eTIR international system ensures, by means described in the 
eTIR specifications, the integrity of the declaration data, inc luding 
the reference to the holder, authenticated by the competent aut horities 
that accept the declaration, received from and transmitted to 
competent authorities.  
Explanatory Note to Annex 11, Article 11, paragraph 3  
11.11.3 If necessary, Contracting Parties may decide to finance  the opera­
tional costs of the eTIR international system through an amount  per 
TIR transport. In such cases, Contracting Parties shall decide on the 
appropriate time to introduce alternative financing mechanisms and 
on their modalities. The required budget shall be prepared by E CE, 
reviewed by the Technical Implementation Body and approved by 
the Administrative Committee.  ▼M10