24 September 2013

Press Release: Freight Forwarders call on Russia to secure a solution that does not hamper trade

European and international Freight Forwarders associations CLECAT and FIATA call on Russian customs authorities to find a solution to the on-going conflict on the TIR System on the Russian territory.  The organisations are concerned on the possible disruption to trade with Russia and other countries concerned by transit through Russian territory and stress on the need for all parties involved to ensure continuity of the TIR system to secure and facilitate trade.

Earlier this month the Russian Federal Customs service (FCS RF) announced that the additional guarantee measures foreseen by the Russian Federal Customs service (FCS RF) shall only apply in the Customs offices subordinate to the Siberian and Far Eastern regional Customs Departments.  This provided some relieve to trade as it is expected that the TIR procedures will continue without interruption in full respect of the TIR Convention in all other Russian customs offices. 

However, the fact that the Russian Federal Customs service has terminated its agreement with the national guaranteeing association as of 1 December 2013 has seriously aggravated the situation and has so far not been reviewed. The TIR Convention cannot be applied in a territory which is not covered by a national guaranteeing association, in the case of Russia, the Association of International Road Transport Carriers in Russia (ASMAP). The Federal Customs service in Russia has justified this step by referring to the outstanding debts of ASMAP.   Regrettably, the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation made the decision without prior notification or consultation, neither with the respective TIR stakeholders nor with the United Nations TIR bodies nor the UNECE. 

FIATA and CLECAT express their concern on the fact that an interruption of the TIR system will most likely lead to a serious disruption of trade flows to and from Russia because of congestion at the borders, unnecessary waiting times and an increase of transport costs.  FIATA and CLECAT urge all involved parties to return to the negotiating table and to take the necessary steps to find a wise and pragmatic solution to resolve the issues in accordance with the provisions of the TIR Convention.

 

Note for the editors

 

CLECAT is the Brussels based organisation representing the interests of more than 19.000 companies employing in excess of 1.000.000 staff in logistics, freight forwarding and customs services. European freight forwarders and Customs agents clear around 95% of all goods in Europe and handle 65% of the cargo transported by road, 95% of the cargo transported by air and 65% of cargo transport by ship.

 

FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), was established in Vienna in 1926, and is the largest Non-Governmental Organization in the field of International Transport and logistics. Its membership includes National Freight Forwarders Associations, operating in over 100 countries, representing over 45,000 local logistics companies, employing in excess of 10 million persons, as well as individual members domiciled in over 150 countries.

Contact:

Marco Sorgetti, Director General 

FIATA

T.  + 41432116500

Email: Sorgetti@fiata.com

www.fiata.com

Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General

CLECAT

Tel: + 32 2503 4705

Email: nicolettevdjagt@clecat.org

www.clecat.org