The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is helping Turkmenistan to develop projects aimed at improving transit and simplifying cross-border procedures while the parties are actively discussing at the expert level ideas aimed at developing the customs sphere of Turkmenistan.
IRU’s Director of TIR and Transit Services Tatiana Rey-Bellet noted that the September 2022- launched TIR-EPD application in Turkmenistan allows TIR operators to use simplified border procedures in sending electronic pre-declarations (EPD) to customs authorities of different countries.
In addition to projects, Rey-Bellet noted that the launch of the application is a very important step that allowed Turkmenistan to join other projects related to the digitalization of the TIR in the region.
She announced that, at the same time, TIR-EPD will help Turkmenistan prepare for connection to the eTIR international customs digital system.
IRU also cooperated with Turkmenistan’s customs and other state bodies in the introduction of ‘green stripes’, which provide the advantages of priority customs clearance.
The director of the organization’s department explained that TIR-EPD’s green lane is allocated on both sides of the border and is allowed only to vehicles that have sent a preliminary electronic declaration via the TIR-EPD pass.
IRU has supported the Turkmen Association of International Road Carriers (THADA) in promoting digital invoices for the customs sphere of Turkmenistan which resulted in Turkmenistan joining the e-CMR protocol (digital version of the CMR consignment note) in December 2022.
Rey-Bellet said that, at the same time, Turkmenistan’s customs and transport authorities have actively responded to their offer to cooperate with experts from other countries within the framework of a special UNECE group.
As she explained, the group was established to facilitate the practical implementation of digital waybills (e-CMR) based on a harmonized approach.
IRU’s Director of TIR and Transit Services commended the Government of Turkmenistan for maintaining fruitful and close cooperation with IRU throughout 2022, achieving in the process practical and tangible results in the field of international trade and transport.
