BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 22. The Turkmenbashi
International Seaport has started pilot cargo transit operations
using the electronic e-TIR system on the
Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan route.


This is reflected in the statement of the State Customs Service
of Turkmenistan.


The pilot operations are being carried out from July 22 to 24 as
part of a technical support program organized with the
participation of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE). The testing at the seaport follows a technical training
program launched on July 20 at the State Customs Service of
Turkmenistan.


"With the support of UNECE, pilot transport operations using the
eTIR system will be conducted, and training sessions will be
delivered by IRU expert Vakhtang Zaranjia," the statement says.


Earlier, representatives of the customs authorities of
Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as specialists
from the IRU, UNECE and the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD), held discussions on the implementation of
electronic transit procedures and the organization of pilot cargo
movements along the multimodal corridor.







The e-TIR system enables the digital exchange of customs transit
information and replaces traditional paper-based Carnet TIR
procedures. The implementation of the system is expected to
facilitate transit operations and improve coordination between
customs authorities along international transport routes.


Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Azerbaijan International
Road Carriers Association (ABADA) Kanan Gurbanov said that within
the framework of the pilot project, cargo has already been
delivered from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan via the Caspian Sea and
will be sent to Turkmenistan at the next stage.


"This week, the first pilot of e-TIR, that is, electronic TIR
transportation, began between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan. The
pilot is already nearing completion. The cargo will be sent from
Kazakhstan to Turkmenistan, and the first electronic TIR
transportation will be carried out. We hope that no problems will
arise. Even if they arise, this pilot project is of great
importance in eliminating them," he noted.


Gurbanov pointed out that the electronic TIR system replaces the
paper TIR carnet and allows for faster implementation of operations
in international cargo transportation.