Oman has initiated the implementation of the coveted International Road Transport System (TIR) by registering companies through Sinyar, a member of Asyad Group.

TIR is an international customs transit system enabling goods to flow across borders. TIR facilitates the movement of goods from country of origin, through transit countries, to a country of destination in sealed compartments that are controlled by customs prior to an approved and recognised system. This transit system allows the transport operators and customs authorities to save time and money.

The TIR system is considered an enabler for facilitating Oman’s private sector trade, via direct transit to the markets of the Gulf, India and Africa.

Sinyar is the guaranteeing association overseeing the registration of transport companies wishing to benefit from the TIR system. The company will oversee the issuance and monitoring of TIR cards in collaboration and coordination with Royal Oman Police – Directorate of Customs.

Badr al Nadabi, acting CEO of Sinyar, said that the company will act as guaranteeing association for both local and international companies; train TIR card holders, manage the implementation of precautionary measures and monitor the movement of cards.

Nadabi said that the implementation of the TIR system is expected to contribute to enhancing and facilitating the movement of trade and the transit of goods at border crossings, while also simplifying customs procedures in a manner that promotes imports and exports.

“The TIR system secures customs duties and taxes and provides a robust guarantee mechanism, reducing trade transaction costs and minimising time spent waiting at borders, smoothly and seamlessly, without border checks,” he added.

Nadabi iterated that the system will ensure the safe arrival of freight containers according to best practices, as well as allow the pre-clearance of goods and the electronic submission of data prior to arrival at crossings. This is in addition to enhancing risk management by linking the system to a global network, optimising time and costs and eliminating the need for evaluating goods or negotiating the value of guarantees.

Oman had recently conducted a successful trial for transporting the first shipment from Saudi Arabia to the sultanate through the TIR system, which reduced the journey time between the two countries by 72 per cent. 

The adoption and rollout of the TIR system may very well play a key role in establishing Oman as one of the most important logistics hubs. Another value added is that the implementation of TIR, combined with other measures, will certainly help reach the goal of more effective GCC trade integration.