Starting from August 1, 2024, as part of a pilot project, TIR carnet holders using the TIR-EPD application, for electronic pre-declaration, as well as empty trucks, can use a special dedicated lane at the Albița and Siret border customs offices.

The measure was implemented following the meeting held at the end of June 2024, at the Albita border customs office, between the Romanian Customs Authority, AVR, with the National Union of Road Hauliers from Romania, UNTRR, the International Road Transport Union, IRU, the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova SVRM, the International Association of Road Hauliers of Moldova, AITA, the Association of International Road Carriers of Ukraine, ASMAP UA, and the Union of Road Transport Associations in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Region, BSEC-URTA. The meeting was held to identify solutions to reduce the waiting times at the border crossing points between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, and between Romania and Ukraine.

Long border waiting times for trucks at these border points can reach up to 9 days, representing a major burden for the activity of road transport companies from Romania, as well as from the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Kilometer-long queues of trucks at borders have serious consequences, such as exceeding the legal driving times of drivers, delays in the delivery of goods, penalties for transport companies, difficulties in supplying markets and increased air pollution. Reducing the waiting times is essential for all economic sectors, being an urgency for road hauliers, importers/exporters, and end consumers alike.

By implementing the pilot project for TIR carnet holders at the Albița and Siret border customs offices, the daily number of trucks that can cross the border between Romania and the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine can be significantly increased, up to 2-3 times in 24 hours, being demonstrated the fact that TIR system reduces transport times by up to 80%, facilitating faster border crossing and thus increasing the processing capacity of customs authorities. UNTRR believes that such a measure has immediate benefits for the entire road transport industry and contributes to smoothing commercial flows between Romania and the two countries.

Effective use of the TIR Convention can significantly contribute to facilitating trade and ensuring a high level of border security. TIR-EPD is an application that allows TIR carnet holders to submit electronic pre-declarations to customs authorities in different countries free of charge. Through TIR-EPD, the customs authorities have the possibility to confirm that the pre-declaration was sent by an authorized TIR carnet holder and that the TIR carnet is valid. This exchange of advance information facilitates pre-arrival risk analysis and makes border-crossings simpler, safer and faster.

UNTRR appreciates the prompt response of the Romanian Customs Authority to the requests of the road transport industry, which will facilitate transport and trade between Romania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.