First truck enters Qatar under TIR global transit system

The General Authority of Customs (GAC) has seen the entry of the first truck secured by the TIR system through the Abu Samra border crossing.

This comes as part of the activation of the Convention on the International Transport of Goods signed by the Ministry of Transport, GAC and the International Road Transport Union (IRU).

TIR is the only global transit system that allows goods to be shipped from one country to another in sealed load compartments that are controlled by Customs via a multilateral, mutually recognised and United Nations-backed system.

The Customs clearance procedures for entry of the truck, which is being implemented in Qatar for the first time, were finalised in the presence of Ahmed Yousef al-Sahel, director of Land Customs, and other officials.

The application of the TIR system in Qatar will contribute towards reducing the cost of imports and eventually bring down retail prices in the country. In addition, it can reduce the time of arrival of imports by 92% and secure the arrival of goods at the final destination according to the highest standards of safety. There is also constant co-ordination between GAC and Qatar Chamber in this regard.