Proposal for a Council Decision Approving on behalf of the Community Annex 8 to the International Convention on the Harmonisation of Frontier Controls of Goods
Date: 2008-06-12
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: administrative cooperation, border control, customs harmonisation, international convention, technical cooperation

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 12.6.2008 
COM(2008) 352 final 

2008/0114 (ACC) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

Approving on behalf of the Community Annex 8 to the International Convention on the 
Harmonisation of Frontier Controls of Goods 

(presented by the Commission) 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1. 

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

1.1. 

Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

The  purpose  of  this  Decision  is  to  incorporate  in  the  Community's  legal  order  the 
new  Annex  8  to  the  International  Convention  on  the  Harmonization  of  Frontier 
Controls of Goods. 

The purpose of the Annex is to facilitate international trade by reducing, harmonising 
and co-ordinating procedures and paperwork in connection with the border control of 
goods,  in  particular  live  animals  and  perishable  goods.  The  Annex  essentially 
contains obligations that aim at reducing delays at border crossing points in respect 
of live animals and perishable goods (through, by example, the use of the "one stop 
shop"  to  enable  joint  controls  between  neighbouring  countries  24  hours  a  day,  and 
the  separation  of  traffic  flows  to  give  priority  to  the  movement  of  these  goods), 
improving  the  operation  of  border  crossing  points,  as  well  as  technical  matters 
relating  to  the  mutual  recognition  of  international  vehicle  inspection  and  weight 
certificates. 

1.2. 

General context 

The  International  Convention  on  the  Harmonisation  of  Frontier  Controls  of  Goods 
(the  Harmonisation  Convention),  signed  at  Geneva  on  21  October  1982,  was 
approved on behalf of the Community by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1262/84 of 
10 April 1984 which entered into force on 12 September 1987. There are currently 
50 Contracting Parties to the Convention, including the European Community and its 
Member States. 

The  Harmonisation  Convention  introduced  measures  designed  to  facilitate,  and  so 
develop,  international  trade  through  the  harmonisation  (where  appropriate)  of  the 
various  frontier  controls  that  are  applied  to  the  movement  of  goods.  However,  it 
appeared subsequently necessary to further rationalise border crossing formalities. 

The UN/ECE Inland Transport Committee decided at its February 1999 session that 
the  Harmonisation  Convention  should  be  revised  to  include  provisions  to  facilitate 
the border crossing of vehicles carrying perishable goods under the provisions of the 
Agreement  on  the  international  carriage  of  perishable  foodstuff  and  on  the  special 
equipment to be used for such carriage. Also provisions regarding the facilitation of 
visa procedures for professional drivers, vehicle inspections or mutual recognition of 
the  international  weight  certificates  were  considered  as  indispensable  in  the 
Harmonization  Convention.  The  UN/ECE  Working  Party  on  Customs  Questions 
affecting Transport, with the assistance of an ad hoc expert group, has subsequently 
produced  draft  proposals  to  add  a  new  Annex  to  the  Harmonisation  Convention  in 
order  to  complement  the  existing  provisions.  The  Annex  was  adopted  in  October 
2007 and, as no objections were raised, the Annex takes effect from 20 May 2008. 

1.3. 

Existing provisions in the area of the proposal 

There are no existing provisions in the area of the proposal. 

1.4. 

Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the Union 

The simplifications foreseen are in line with the revised Lisbon strategy. 

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The facilitation of international trade and the removal of technical obstacles to trade 
is an objective of the common commercial policy and thus falls under the exclusive 
competence  of  the  Community.  The  measures  set  out  in  the  Annex  are  consistent 
with Community legislation. 

2. 

CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

2.1. 

Consultation of interested parties 

Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents: 

– 

– 

Consultations were carried out with the International Road Transport Union. 

Consultations  took  place  also  within  Customs  Code  Committee  meetings, 
sessions  of  the  UNECE  Working  Party  on  Customs  Questions  Affecting 
Transport,  and 
the  Harmonization 
Convention. 

the  Administrative  Committee  for 

Summary  of  responses  and  how  they  have  been  taken  into  account:  Favourable 
opinion. 

2.2. 

Collection and use of expertise 

There was no need for external expertise. 

2.3. 

Impact assessment 

The current provisions of the Harmonization Convention remain unchanged. 

The proposed Decision incorporates into the Community's legal order a new Annex 
to  the  Harmonization  Convention  that  includes  provisions  facilitating  the  border 
crossing of vehicles carrying perishable goods under the provisions of the Agreement 
on the international carriage of perishable foodstuff and on the special equipment to 
be used for such carriage, provisions on vehicle inspections and mutual recognition 
of international weight certificates or provisions regarding further facilitations of visa 
procedures for professional drivers. 

The adoption of this Decision will benefit of the transport business. 

3. 

LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

3.1. 

Summary of the proposed action 

The proposed Decision formally approves and introduces into the Community's legal 
order the new Annex 8 to the Harmonization Convention. 

3.2. 

Legal basis 

Article 133 and Article 300 (2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. 

3.3. 

Subsidiarity principle 

The  proposal  falls  under  the  exclusive  competence  of  the  Community.  The 
subsidiarity principle therefore does not apply. 

3.4. 

Proportionality principle 

The proposal is in conformity with the principle of proportionality. It implements the 
amendments  of  an  international  agreement  which  as  such  respects  the  principle  of 
the 
proportionality.  All 

these  amendments  have  already  been  adopted  by 

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Administrative  Committee  for  the  Harmonization  Convention  with  effect  from  20 
May 2008 and should be applied in all Member States. 

3.5. 

Choice of instruments 

Proposed instruments: Decision. 

Other means would not be adequate for the following reason: the proposed Decision 
amends  Regulation  (EEC)  No  1262/84  which  introduced  the  Harmonization 
Convention into the Community's legal order. 

4. 

BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

The proposal has no implication for the Community budget. 

5. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

5.1. 

Simplification 

The  proposal  provides  for  simplification  of  administrative  procedures  for  public 
authorities (EU or national), and for simplification of administrative procedures for 
private parties. 

According to the proposed Decision regular exchange of information with regard to 
the  facilitation  of  visa  procedures  for  professional  drivers  or  border  control 
requirements is established. It is foreseen that Contracting Parties will cooperate with 
their counterparts in other Contracting Parties in order to accelerate border crossing 
procedures and to avoid repetitive vehicle weighing procedures. 

According  to  the  proposed  Decision  new  provisions  of  the  Harmonization 
Convention  regarding  facilitation  of  the  border  crossing  of  vehicles  carrying 
perishable goods under the provisions of the Agreement on the international carriage 
of perishable foodstuff and on the special equipment to be used for such carriage will 
be  introduced.  Also  new  provisions  regarding  facilitation  of  visa  procedures  for 
professional  drivers,  vehicle  inspections  or  mutual  recognition  of  the  international 
weight  certificates  become  applicable  on  the  basis  of  the  amended  Harmonization 
Convention. 

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2008/0114 (ACC) 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

Approving on behalf of the Community Annex 8 to the International Convention on the 
Harmonisation of Frontier Controls of Goods 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 
133, in conjunction with the second subparagraph of Article 300 (2) thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

The  International  Convention  on  the  Harmonisation  of  Frontier  Controls  of  Goods, 
1982 was approved by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1262/841 . 

Article  22  of  that  Harmonisation  Convention,  in  conjunction  with  its  Annex  7, 
provides that the Administrative Committee can propose and adopt amendments to the 
Convention. These amendments are to be accepted unless a Contracting Party objects 
within  12  months  of  the  communication  by  the  United  Nations,  of  the  proposed 
amendment to the Contracting Parties. 

The  United  Nations  Economic  Commission  for  Europe  (UN/ECE)  Inland  Transport 
Committee decided at its February 1999 session that the Convention should be revised 
to include provisions to facilitate the border crossing of vehicles. 

The UN/ECE Working Party on Customs Questions affecting Transport subsequently 
produced  draft  proposals  to  add  a  new  Annex  8  to  the  Convention  in  order  to 
complement the existing provisions. 

That  Annex  was  adopted  by  the  Administrative  Committee  for  the  International 
Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Control of goods in October 2007 and as 
no objections were raised, the Annex takes effect from 20 May 2008. 

The  purpose  of  Annex  8  to  the  Convention  is  to  facilitate  international  trade  by 
reducing,  harmonising  and  co-ordinating  procedures  and  paperwork  in  connection 
with  the  border  control  of  goods,  in  particular  live  animals  and  perishable  goods. 
Annex  8  also  aims  at  improving  the  operation  of  border  crossing  points,  as  well  as 
technical matters relating to the mutual recognition of international vehicle inspection 
and weight certificates. 

The facilitation of international trade and the removal of technical obstacles to trade is 
an  objective  of  the  common  commercial  policy  and  thus  falls  under  the  exclusive 
competence of the Community. 

The Community position concerning the proposed amendment of the Convention was 
approved on July 2005. 

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OJ L 126, 12.05.1984, P 1 

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(9) 

Therefore,  the  amendment  to  the  International  Convention  on  the  Harmonisation  of 
Frontier controls of Goods should be approved. 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

Annex 8 to the International Convention on the Harmonisation of Frontier Controls of Goods 
is hereby approved on behalf of the Community. 

The text of that Annex is attached to this Decision. 

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. 

Done at Brussels, 

Article 2 

For the Council 
The President

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FACILITATION OF BORDER CROSSING PROCEDURES 

Annex 8 

FOR INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT 

Article 1 

Principles 

Complementing the provisions of the Convention and in particular those provided in Annex 1, 
the  present  Annex  intends  to  define  the  measures  that  need  to  be  implemented  in  order  to 
facilitate border crossing procedures for international road transport. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Article 2 

Facilitation of visa procedures for professional drivers 

The Contracting Parties should endeavour to facilitate the procedures for the granting of 
visas for professional drivers engaged in international road transport in accordance with 
national  best  practice  for  all  visa  applicants  and  national  immigration  rules  as  well  as 
international commitments. 

The Contracting Parties agree to regularly exchange information on best practices with 
regard to the facilitation of visa procedures for professional drivers. 

Article 3 

International road transport operations 

In order to facilitate the international movement of goods, the Contracting Parties shall 
regularly  inform  all  parties  involved  in  international  transport  operations  in  a 
harmonized  and  co-ordinated  manner  on  border  control  requirements  for  international 
road  transport  operations  in  force  or  planned  as  well  as  on  the  actual  situation  at 
borders. 

Contracting Parties shall endeavour to transfer, to the extent possible and not only for 
transit traffic, all necessary control procedures to the places of origin and destination of 
the goods transported by road so as to alleviate congestion at the border crossing points. 

Referring in particular to Article 7 of this Convention, priority shall be given to urgent 
consignments,  e.g.  live  animals  and  perishable  goods.  In  particular,  the  competent 
services at border crossing points: 

(i) 

shall  take  the  necessary  measures  to  minimize  waiting  times  for  ATP-approved 
vehicles  transporting  perishable  foodstuffs  or  for  vehicles  transporting  live 
animals,  as  from  their  time  of  arrival  at  the  frontier  until  their  regulatory, 
administrative, Customs and sanitary controls; 

(ii) 

shall  ensure  that  the  required  regulatory  controls  are  carried  out  as  quickly  as 
possible; 

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(iii)  shall allow, as far as possible, the operation of the necessary refrigerating units of 
vehicles  carrying  perishable  foodstuffs  during  the  time  of  crossing  the  border, 
unless this is impossible as a result of the required control procedure; 

(iv)  shall  co-operate,  in  particular  through  advance  information  exchange,  with  their 
counterparts  in  other  Contracting  Parties  in  order  to  accelerate  border  crossing 
procedures for perishable goods and live animals, in case these loads are subject 
to sanitary inspections. 

Article 4 

Vehicle inspection 

The Contracting Parties, not yet Parties to the Agreement Concerning the Adoption of 
Uniform Conditions for Periodical Technical Inspections of Wheeled Vehicles and the 
Reciprocal  Recognition  of  such  Inspections  (1997),  should  endeavour,  in  line  with 
relevant national and international laws and regulations, to facilitate the crossing of road 
vehicles across borders by accepting the International Technical Inspection Certificate 
as provided for in this Agreement. The Technical Inspection Certificate, as contained in 
the Agreement as of 1 January 2002, is contained in Appendix 1 to this Annex. 

With  a  view  to  identifying  ATP-approved  vehicles  carrying  perishable  foodstuffs,  the 
Contracting  Parties  may  utilize  the  distinguishing  marks  affixed  to  the  relevant 
equipment and the ATP certificate or plate of approval provided for in the Agreement 
on the International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs and the Special Equipment to be 
used for such Carriage (1970). 

Article 5 

International Vehicle Weight Certificate 

In  order  to  accelerate  border  crossings,  the  Contracting  Parties,  in  line  with  relevant 
national  and  international  laws  and  regulations,  should  endeavour  to  avoid  repetitive 
vehicle weighing procedures at border crossings by accepting and mutually recognizing 
the International Vehicle Weight Certificate as contained in Appendix 2 to this Annex. 
In case the Contracting Parties accept such certificates, no further weight measurements 
shall  be  carried  out  apart  from  random  checks  and  controls  in  the  case  of  supposed 
irregularities.  Vehicle  weight  measurements  recorded  in  such  certificates  shall  take 
place only in the country of origin of international transport operations. The results of 
such measurements shall be duly reflected and certified in such certificates. 

Each  Contracting  Party,  accepting  the  International  Vehicle  Weight  Certificate,  shall 
cause  to  be  published  a  list  of  all  weighing  stations  in  their  country  authorized  in 
accordance with international principles as well as any modification thereto. This list as 
well as any modification thereto shall be transmitted to the Executive Secretary of the 
Economic  Commission  for Europe of the United Nations (UNECE) for distribution to 
each  Contracting  Party  and  to  the  international  organizations  referred  to  in  Annex  7, 
Article 2 to this Convention. 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

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3. 

The  minimum  requirements  for  authorized  weighing  stations,  the  principles  of 
authorization and the basic features of weighing procedures to be applied are contained 
in Appendix 2 to this Annex. 

Article 6 

Border crossing points 

In  order  to  ensure  that  the  required  formalities  at  border  crossing  points  are  streamlined  and 
accelerated,  the  Contracting  Parties  shall  meet,  as  far  as  possible,  the  following  minimum 
requirements for border crossing points open for international goods traffic: 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

(v) 

(vi) 

facilities enabling joint controls between neighbouring States (one-stop technology), 24 
hours a day, whenever justified by trade needs and in line with road traffic regulations; 

separation of traffic for different types of traffic on both sides of the border allowing to 
give  preference  to  vehicles  under  the  cover  of  valid  international  Customs  transit 
documents (TIR, T) or carrying live animals or perishable foodstuffs; 

off-lane control areas for random cargo and vehicle checks; 

appropriate parking and terminal facilities; 

proper hygiene, social and telecommunications facilities for drivers; 

assistance in the establishment of forwarding agents at border crossings with adequate 
facilities, offering services to transport operators on a competitive basis. 

Article 7 

Reporting mechanism 

With  regard  to  Articles  1  to  6  of  this  Annex,  the  Executive  Secretary  of  the  Economic 
Commission  for  Europe  of  the  United  Nations  (UNECE)  shall  carry  out,  every  second  year,  a 
survey  among  Contracting  Parties  on  progress  made  to  improve  border  crossing  procedures  in 
their countries. 

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Appendix 1 to Annex 8 to the Convention 

INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL INSPECTION CERTIFICATE 

In  accordance  with  the  Agreement  Concerning  the  Adoption  of  Uniform  Conditions  for 
Periodical  Technical  Inspections  of  Wheeled  Vehicles  and  the  Reciprocal  Recognition  of  such 
Inspections (1997), entered into force on 27 January 2001. 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Accredited Technical  Inspection Centres are responsible for conducting  the inspection 
tests,  granting  the  approval  of  compliance  with  the  inspection  requirements  of  the 
relevant Rule(s) annexed to the 1997 Vienna Agreement, and specifying the latest date 
of  next  inspection  to  be  indicated  in  line  No.  12.5  of  the  International  Technical 
Inspection Certificate, the model of which is reproduced hereafter. 

The  International  Technical  Inspection  Certificate  shall  contain  the  information 
indicated hereafter. It may be a booklet in format A6 (148x105 mm), with a green cover 
and  white  inside  pages,  or  a  sheet  of  green  or  white  paper  of  format  A4  (210x197) 
folded to format A6 in such a way that the section containing the distinguishing sign of 
the state or of the United Nations forms the top of the folded Certificate. 

Items of the certificate and their content shall be printed in the national language of the 
issuing Contracting Party by maintaining the numbering. 

The  periodical  inspection  reports  which  are  in  use  in  the  Contracting  Parties  to  the 
Agreement may be used as an alternative. A sample of them shall be transmitted to the 
Secretary-General of the United Nations for information to the Contracting Parties. 

Handwritten,  typed  or  computer  generated  entries  on  the  International  Technical 
Inspection Certificate to be made exclusively by the competent authorities, shall be in 
Latin characters. 

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CONTENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL INSPECTION CERTIFICATE 

Space for the 
distinguishing 
sign of the State 
or of the UN 

................................ 

(Administrative Authority responsible for technical inspection) 

..............................................2 

CERTIFICAT INTERNATIONAL DE CONTROLE TECHNIQUE 3 

2 
3 

Title " INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL INSPECTION CERTIFICATE" in national language. 
Title in French. 

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INTERNATIONAL TECHNICAL INSPECTION CERTIFICATE 

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Licence plate (Registration) No…………………………………………………… 

Vehicle identification No………………………………………………………….. 
First registration after the manufacture (State, Authority)4………………………… 

Date of first registration after the manufacture……………………………………. 

Date of the technical inspection…………………………………………………… 

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

11. 

This certificate is issued for the vehicle identified under Nos. 1 and 2 which complies 
at  the  date  under  No  5  with  the  Rule(s)  annexed  to  the  1997  Agreement  on  the 
Adoption  of  Uniform  Conditions  for  Periodical  Technical  Inspections  of  Wheeled 
Vehicles and the Reciprocal Recognition of such Inspections. 

The vehicle has to undergo its next technical inspection according to the Rule(s) under 
No 6 not later than: 

Date: (month/year)……………………………………………………………………. 

Issued by……………………………………………………………………………… 

At (Place)……………………………………………………………………………… 

Date…………………………………………………………………………………… 
Signature5……………………………………………………………………………… 

4 
5 

If available, authority and state where the vehicle was registered for the first time after its manufacture. 
Seal or stamp of the authority issuing the certificate. 

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12. 

Subsequent periodical technical inspection(s)6 

12.1.  Done by (Technical inspection Centre)7……………………………………………… 

12.2. 

(stamp) 

12.3.  Date…………………………………………………………………………………… 

12.4.  Signature……………………………………………………………………………… 

12.5.  Next inspection due not later then : (month/year)……………………………………….. 

6 

7 

Items 12.1 to 12.5 to be repeated if the Certificate is to be used for subsequent annual periodical technical 
inspections. 
Name, Address, State of the Technical Inspection Centre accredited by the competent Authority. 

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1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

Appendix 2 to Annex 8 to the Convention 

INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE WEIGHT CERTIFICATE 

The  objective  of  the  International  Vehicle  Weight  Certificate  (IVWC)  is  to  facilitate 
border crossing procedures and, in particular, to avoid repetitive weight measurements 
of  goods  road  vehicles  en  route  in  the  Contracting  Parties.  Duly  filled-in  certificates, 
accepted  by  the  Contracting  Parties,  shall  be  accepted  as  bearing  valid  weight 
measurements  by  the  competent  authorities  of  Contracting  Parties.  Competent 
authorities  shall  refrain  from  requiring  additional  weight  measurements  apart  from 
random checks and controls in the case of supposed irregularities. 

The  International  Vehicle  Weight  Certificate,  which  shall  conform  to  the  model 
reproduced below in this Appendix, shall be issued and used under the supervision of a 
designated  Governmental  authority  in  each  Contracting  Party  (accepting  such 
certificates) in line with the procedure described in the annexed certificate. 

The use of the certificate by transport operators is optional. 

The Contracting Parties, accepting such certificates, shall approve authorized weighing 
stations  to  fill-in,  together  with  the  operator/driver  of  the  goods  road  vehicle,  the 
International  Vehicle  Weight  Certificate  in  accordance  with  the  following  minimum 
requirements: 

(a)  Weighing  stations  shall  be  equipped  with  certified  weighing  instruments.  For 
performing  the  weight  measurements,  the  Contracting  Parties  accepting  such 
certificates may select the method and instruments they consider appropriate. The 
Contracting Parties accepting such certificates shall ensure the competence of the 
weighing  stations,  such  as  by  accreditation  or  assessment,  use  of  appropriate 
weighing  instruments,  qualified  personnel,  documented  quality  systems  and 
testing procedures. 

(b) 

The  weighing  stations  and  their  instruments  shall  be  well  maintained.  The 
instruments  shall  be  regularly  verified  and  sealed  by  the  relevant  authorities 
responsible for weights and measures. The weighing instruments, their maximum 
permissible errors and usage shall comply with the Recommendations established 
by the International Organisation for Legal Metrology (OIML). 

(c)  Weighing stations shall be equipped with weighing instruments corresponding to 

either:  

– 

– 

- OIML  Recommendation  R  76  “Non-automatic  weighing  instruments” 
accuracy class III or better; 

- OIML Draft Recommendation “Automatic instruments for weighing road 
vehicles  in  motion”,  accuracy  classes  0.5,  1,  2,  or  better,  resulting  in 
maximum permissible errors of ± 2%, 1% and 0.5% or less. 

Higher error values may apply in case of individual axle weight measurements. 

5. 

In exceptional cases and, particularly when irregularities are suspected, or at the demand 
of the transport operator/driver of the respective road vehicle, the competent authorities 
may  re-weigh  the  vehicle.  In  case  a  weighing  station  produces  several  mistaken 
measurements, observed by the control authorities in a Contracting Party accepting such 
certificates, the competent authorities of the country of the weighing station shall take 
appropriate measures in order to ensure that such events will not occur again. 

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6. 

7. 

8. 

The  model  of  the  certificate  may  be  reproduced  in  any  of  the  languages  of  the 
Contracting Parties accepting such certificates provided that the layout of the certificate 
and the placing of the items therein are not modified. 

Each  Contracting  Party  accepting  such  certificates,  shall  publish  a  list  of  all  weighing 
stations in their countries authorized in accordance with international principles as well 
as  any  modifications  thereto.  This  list  as  well  as  any  modification  thereto  shall  be 
transmitted to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Europe of the 
United  Nations  (UNECE)  for  distribution  to  each  Contracting  Party  and  to  the 
international organisations referred to in Annex 7, Article 2 to this Convention. 

(Transitional provision) Since only very few weighing stations are equipped at present 
with  weighing  instruments  able  to  provide  individual  axle  weight  or  axle  group 
measurements, the Contracting Parties, accepting such certificates, agree that, during a 
transitional  period,  expiring  12  months  following  the  entry  into  force  of  this  Annex, 
gross vehicle weight measurements as provided for under item 7.3 in the International 
Vehicle  Weight  Certificate  shall  be  sufficient  and  shall  be  accepted  by  the  competent 
national authorities. 

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INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE WEIGHT CERTIFICATE (IVWC) 
In accordance with the provisions of Annex 8 – Facilitation of Border Crossing Procedures 
for International Road Transport – to the International Convention on the Harmonization of 
Frontier Controls of Goods, 1982 

Valid for international road transport of goods 

UNITED NATIONS 
ECONOMIC COMMISSION 
FOR EUROPE 
UNECE 

To be filled-in by the transport operator(s)/driver(s) of the goods road vehicle BEFORE weighing the vehicle 

1. Transport operator/company (name and address; incl. country) 

2. Transport contract No.(1) 

3. Details of goods road vehicle 

Tel. No. 

Fax. No. 

E-mail 

TIR Carnet No. (if applicable)(2) 

3.1. Registration number of 

Road tractor/lorry 

Semi-trailer/trailer 

3.2. Suspension system of 

Road tractor/lorry 
⁪Air 

⁪Mechanical 

⁪Other 

Semi-trailer/trailer 
⁪Air 

⁪Mechanical 

⁪Other 

To be filled-in by the operator of the authorized weighing station 

4. Authorized weighing station (name and address; incl. country) 

Accuracy class of the weighing instrument(4) 
⁪Class II ............⁪Class III 

and/or  ⁪<0.5 ................ ⁪1................. ⁪2 

5. Vehicle weight measurement No.(3) 

--- -- ----- 

6. Date of issue (day, month, year) 

4.2. Date of last calibration 
7. Weight measurements of goods road vehicles (original and official record of the weighing station shall be affixed to this certificate)  
7.1. Type of goods road vehicle (5) 
7.2. Axle weight measurements, in kg 

Driven 

Non-driven 

Single 

Tandem 

Triple 

First axle 

Second axle 

Third axle 

Fourth axle 

Fifth axle 

Sixth axle(6) 

7.3. Gross vehicle weight measurements, in kg 

Road tractor/lorry 

Semi-trailer/trailer 

Total gross vehicle weight 

8. Special weight characteristics  

8.1. Tank(s) connected to the engine 
⁪¼ 

Capacity filled to 

⁪½ 

⁪¾ 

⁪1/1 

8.2. Additional tank(s) (for cooling devices, etc.) 
⁪½ 

Capacity filled to 

⁪¼ 

⁪¾ 
I  declare  that  the  above  weight  measurements  taken  have  been  duly 
performed by the undersigned at an authorized weighing station 
Name of operator of weighing station 

Signature 

⁪1/1 

8.3. No. of spare tyres 

8.4. No. of person(s) on board while 

weighing 

8.5. Liftable axle ⁪Yes  ⁪No 

Stamp 

(1) For instance: CMR Consignment Note Number. 
(2) In accordance with the TIR Convention, 1975. 
(3) See Notes on page 2. 
(4) In accordance with OIML Recommendation R 76 and/or Draft Recommendation “Automatic instruments for weighing road vehicles in motion”. 
(5) Vehicle type code as contained in the attached sketches, for example: A2 or A2S2. 
(6) If more than six axles, indicate in box “Remarks”, on page 2. 

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To be filled-in by the transport operator(s)/driver(s) of the goods road vehicle AFTER weighing the vehicle

I declare that: 

(a) the weight measurements stated overleaf have been performed by the above- mentioned 

weighing station, 

(b) the information (1) to (8) has been duly filled-in and 

(c)  no  load  has  been  added  to  the  goods  road  vehicle  following  its  weighing  at  the  above 

mentioned weighing station. 

Date 

Name of driver(s) of goods road vehicle 

Signature(s) 

Remarks (if any) 

Notes 

The vehicle weight measurement number shall consist of three data elements linked by hyphens: 

(1)  Country code (in accordance with the UN Convention on Road Traffic, 1968). 

(2)  Two-digit code allowing identification of national weighing station. 

(3)  Five-digit code (at least) allowing identification of individual weight measurement taken. 

Examples: GR-01-23456 or RO-14-000510. 

This serial number shall correspond to that applied in the books of the weighing station. 

INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE WEIGHT CERTIFICATE (IVWC) 

LEGAL BASIS 

EN 

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The  International  Vehicle  Weight  Certificate  has  been  drawn  up  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Annex  8  –  Facilitation  of  Border 
Crossing  Procedures  for  International  Road  Transport  –  to  the  International  Convention  on  the  Harmonization  of  Frontier  Controls  of 
Goods, 1982. 

OBJECTIVE 

The  International  Vehicle  Weight  Certificate  is  designed  to  avoid  repetitive  weight  measurements  of  goods  road  vehicles  en  route  in 
international transport, particularly at border crossings. The use of this certificate by transport operators is optional. 

PROCEDURE 

If Contracting Parties accept8 the International Vehicle Weight Certificate duly filled-in by (a) the operator of an approved weighing station 
and (b) the transport operator(s)/goods road vehicle driver(s), it shall be accepted and recognized as bearing valid weight measurements by 
the competent authorities of the Contracting Parties. As a general rule, competent authorities shall accept the information contained in this 
Certificate  as  valid  and  shall  refrain  from  requiring  additional  weight  measurements.  To  prevent  abuse,  the  competent  authorities  may 
however,  in  exceptional  cases,  and  particularly  when  irregularities  are  suspected,  carry  out  an  examination  of  the  vehicle  weight  in 
accordance with national regulations. 

Weight measurements in order to establish this certificate shall be made, upon the request of the transport operator(s)/goods road vehicle 
driver(s) whose vehicle is registered in one of the Contracting Parties accepting such certificates, by approved weighing stations at costs 
which shall be limited to the services rendered. 

For the purposes of this certificate, approved weighing stations shall be equipped with weighing instruments corresponding to either: 

-  OIML Recommendation R 76 “Non-automatic weighing instruments” accuracy class III or better; or 

-  OIML  Draft  Recommendation  “Automatic  instruments  for  weighing  road  vehicles  in  motion”,  accuracy  classes  0.5,  1,  2,  or 

better, resulting in maximum permissible errors of ± 2%, 1% and 0.5% or less. 

Higher error values may apply in case of individual axle weight measurements. 

SANCTIONS 

Transport operator(s)/goods road vehicles driver(s) are subject to the national legislation for any false declaration made in the International 
Vehicle Weight Certificate. 

In determining the legal value of the weight measurement(s), an estimation of the possible weighing error must be made for each weighing 
system. This error value, consisting of the intrinsic error of the weighing equipment and the error due to external factors, must be deducted 
from  the  measured  weight  in  order  to  ensure  that  a  possible  overweight  measurement  is  not  caused  by  the  inaccuracy  of  the  weighing 
equipment and/or the weighing procedure used. 

As a consequence, fines shall not be imposed on transport operators utilizing this certificate unless the weight measurement(s) inscribed in 
this certificate minus the maximum possible weighing error (i.e. 2 per cent maximum or 800 kg in case of a 40 tonne vehicle) exceed(s) the 
maximum permissible weight(s) as prescribed by the national legislation. 

8 

Modified wording due to modifications proposed for Article 5. 

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ATTACHMENT 

to the INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE WEIGHT CERTIFICATE (IVWC) 
Sketches of types of goods road vehicles as required under item 7.1 of the IVWC 

No. 

Goods road vehicles 

I. RIGID VEHICLES 

D

D

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Vehicle Type 
*  means first  alternative axle 

configuration 

**  means  second  alternative 

axle configuration 

Distance 
between axles 
(m)¹ 
¹ No specification is given 

if not relevant 

A2 

D < 4.0 

A2* 

D ≥ 4.0 

A3 

A4 

A3* 

A4* 

A5 

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No. 

Goods road vehicles 

Vehicle Type 
*  means  first  alternative  axle 

configuration 

**  means  second  alternative 

axle configuration 

Distance 
between axles 
(m)¹ 
¹ No specification is given 

if not relevant 

II. COMBINATION OF VEHICLES 

(coupled vehicles according to the Convention on Road Traffic (1968), Chapter I, Article 1 (t) 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

A2 T2 

A2 T3 

A3 T2 

A3 T3 

A3 T3* 

A2 C2 

A2 C3 

A3 C2 

EN 

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Goods road vehicles 

Vehicle Type 
*  means  first  alternative  axle 
configuration 
**  means  second  alternative 
axle configuration  

Distance 
between axles 
(m)¹ 
¹ No specification is given 
if not relevant 

No. 

9 

10 

11 

III. ARTICULATED VEHICLES 

with 3 
axles 

1 

with 4 
axles 
(single 
or 
tandem) 

2 

A3 C3 

A2 C1 

A3 C1 

A2 S1 

A2 S2 

D ≤ 2.0 

A2 S2* 

D > 2.0 

A3 S1 

EN 

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No. 

Goods road vehicles 

Vehicle Type 
*  means  first  alternative  axle 

configuration 

**  means  second  alternative 

Distance between 
axles (m)¹ 
¹ No specification is given 

axle configuration 

if not relevant 

A2 S3  

A2 S3* 

A2 S3** 

3 

With 5 
or 6 
axles 
(single, 
tandem, 
triple) 

A3 S2 

D ≤ 2.0 

A3 S2* 

D > 2.0 

A3 S3 

A3 S3* 

A3 S3** 

An Sn 

Without sketch 

EN 

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Annex 1 

CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL 
CARRIAGE OF PERISHABLE FOODSTUFFS AND ON THE SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO 
BE USED FOR SUCH CARRIAGE (ATP) 

(1 September 1970) 

Austria 
Azerbaijan 
Belarus 
Belgium 
Bosnia and Herzegovina 
Bulgaria 
Croatia 
Czech Republic 
Denmark 
Estonia 
Finland 
France 
Georgia 
Germany 
Greece 
Hungary 
Ireland 
Italy 
Kazakhstan 
Lithuania 
Luxembourg 
Monaco 
Morocco 
Netherlands 
Norway 
Poland 
Portugal 
Romania 
Russian Federation 
Slovakia 
Slovenia 
Spain 
Sweden 
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
United Kingdom 
United States of America 
Uzbekistan 
Yugoslavia 

EN 

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Annex 2 

CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THEAGREEMENT CONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF 
UNIFORM CONDITIONS FOR PERIODICAL TECHNICAL INSPECTIONS OF 
WHEELED VEHICLES AND THE RECIPROCAL RECOGNITION OF SUCH 
INSPECTIONS 

(13 November 1997) 

Estonia 
Finland 
Hungary 
Netherlands 
Romania 
Russian Federation 

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