Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan conduct first eTIR cargo transports

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have initiated a new era of digital road transport in Central Asia with their first cargo operations under the eTIR system. This electronic version of the international TIR transit system simplifies cross-border procedures by using digital guarantees and a unified IT application developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

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This marks a new stage in the digitalization of road transport in Central Asia.

The initial transports saw vehicles moved from Kyrgyzstan to Tajikistan, followed by auto parts delivered in the reverse direction. The electronic guarantees were provided by national transport operator associations in both countries, AIRTO KR and ABBAT. The process relied on the National eTIR Application, which allows countries to adopt digital TIR procedures without needing to build complex IT infrastructure immediately.

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This application allows countries to connect more quickly to the digital TIR/Transports Internationaux Routiers procedures without the immediate need to create their own complex IT infrastructure.

Before the launch, the UNECE and the International Road Transport Union (IRU) conducted training for customs officials and transport industry representatives in both nations. The IRU highlighted that these first operations are a testament to the cooperation between customs, transport associations, and international organizations. The partners plan to continue working together to broaden the adoption of eTIR throughout Central Asia and beyond.

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The first operations are the result of cooperation between customs authorities, road transport associations, IRU, and UNECE.