eTIR

eTIR is an electronic system designed to replace the traditional paper TIR Carnet used in international road transport under the TIR Convention. It provides a secure, digital means to create, store, transfer, and verify TIR-related data across borders, enabling real-time visibility of transit operations. An electronic TIR document records details such as consignor and consignee information, vehicle and route data, description of goods, and the associated transit guarantee. The system is intended to operate within a centralized or federated network that connects customs authorities, transport operators, and guarantee providers.

Governance and standards for eTIR are developed through collaboration among international bodies and industry stakeholders. The initiative is led by IRU (International Road Transport Union) in partnership with UNECE, with participation from national customs authorities and other relevant organizations. It relies on standardized data formats, digital signatures, and interoperable interfaces to ensure authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation of electronic records. The eTIR framework is designed to be compatible with the TIR Convention and its amendments, while allowing integration with national e-government systems and existing TIR infrastructure.

Benefits and status: eTIR aims to reduce paperwork, accelerate border procedures, improve data accuracy, and enhance security by enabling electronic processing and traceability of transit operations. It also offers potential improvements in the management of transit guarantees, including the possibility of electronic guarantees. The rollout is typically phased, with pilots and gradual national adoption in participating countries, accompanied by ongoing work on interoperability, data protection, and legal recognition across jurisdictions.

Challenges and considerations include ensuring robust cyber security, data privacy, capacity-building for participating authorities, and harmonization of procedures to accommodate electronic transit across diverse legal and operational environments.