The General Administration of Customs ("GAC") has recently issued the announcement [2018] No.42 to provide clarity on matters relating to the pilot implementation of the Transport International Router (TIR) Convention, effective from May 18, 2018.
The announcement states that the GAC has decided to expand the TIR transport pilot program and relevant matters are clarified to further regulate carriers that are eligible to engage in TIR transport and their vehicles. First, one more port, Dalian Port, will be covered under China's TIR transport pilot program, in addition to five ports, including the Helgas port, Irkeshtam port, Erenhot highway port, Manzhouli highway port, and Suifenhe port, previously specified in the Announcement [2018] No.30 released by the original General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China. Second, for countries that have entered into bilateral automobile transport treaties with China, carriers from these countries and their vehicles that meet the conditions set forth in the treaties may engage in TIR transport activities under the TIR Convention.