IRU advises potential withdrawal of TIR guarantee coverage in Russia

International Road Transport Union: Breach of international law multiplied the costs of transport operations from and trough Russia by up to 83 fold

In a letter addressed to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir V. Putin, the International Road Transport Union advises that the TIR guarantee coverage on Russian Federation territory could be withdrawn if the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation (FCS RF) continues its illegal actions in breach of international law.

IRU President, Janusz Lacny, wrote, “I am compelled to inform you that in the absence of clear confirmation from the FCS RF reinstating the full functioning of the TIR System on the territory of the Russian Federation in the nearest future, the IRU Presidential Executive will have no other choice than to recommend to the IRU General Assembly to confirm that the TIR guarantee coverage in the Russian Federation, as well as for Russian TIR Carnet Holders, will be withdrawn.”

The issue dates back to 4 July 2013, when the Head of the FCS RF, Andrei Belyaninov, breached international and national law by deciding unilaterally to restrict the application of the TIR System in Russia. From that date forward, the FCS RF has turned a deaf ear to multiple representations and calls made by highest authorities at UN, EU and governmental level to withdraw this illegal measure.

Based on a UN Convention successfully implemented since 1959 in some 60 countries worldwide, the TIR System is an international guarantee chain covering Customs taxes owing on imported goods, based on mutual recognition of Customs controls at departure and destination only. Today it covers up to 40% of Russian imports, impacting USD 110 billion worth of trade per year.

“In only the last seven months, the illegal measures taken by the FCS RF have multiplied the costs of transport operations from and trough Russia by up to 83 fold, depending on the itinerary and situation. This despite a ruling by the very Supreme Arbitration Court of Russia judging the FCS RF’s decision to impose such TIR restrictions as illegal. Such developments are sending worrying signs of legal uncertainty and worsening business climate in Russia both for national and foreign companies,” the IRU reports.

IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto, said: “This is an absurd situation that has been going on for too long, harming our industry and moreover the cost of trade with Russia, which is by far today the biggest beneficiary of the TIR System. We cannot continue to operate in a situation where one governmental agency can act in total impunity of all Russian and international laws. We are now compelled to address President Putin, trusting that he can personally intervene to find a definitive solution to this crisis in the interest of all stakeholders of the TIR System as soon as possible. If not, we will regrettably be left with no other option than to withdraw coverage of the TIR System in Russia. This would be a lose-lose scenario.”

www.iru.org

Quelle: LogEastics
Portal: www.logistik-express.com