Treaty

Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention)

Parties with reservations, declarations and objections

Party Reservations / Declarations Objections
Afghanistan Yes No
Albania Yes No
Algeria Yes No
Bulgaria Yes No
China Yes No
Egypt Yes No
Greece Yes No
Hungary Yes No
India Yes No
Israel Yes No
Kuwait Yes Yes
Oman Yes No
Pakistan Yes No
Palestine Yes No
Poland Yes No
Romania Yes No
Russian Federation Yes No
Switzerland Yes No
Syria Yes No
Ukraine Yes No
United States of America Yes No

Afghanistan

23-09-1982

Pursuant to article 58 (1), [. . .] Afghanistan will not be bound by the provisions of article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6, of the Convention.

Albania

04-01-1985

The Council of Ministers of the Socialist People's Republic of Albania does not consider itself bound by article 57, para- graphs 2, 3, 4 and 6, of the Convention, which provide for recourse to compulsory arbitration for the interpretation and ap- plication of the Convention, and declares that in order for a dispute to be submitted to arbitration the agreement of all the parties to the dispute is necessary in each case.

Algeria

28-02-1989

Pursuant to article 58, the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria does not consider itself bound by paragraphs 2 to 6 of article 57 concerning arbitration.

Bulgaria

20-10-1977

The People's Republic of Bulgaria declares that article 52, paragraph 1, which restricts the participation by a certain number of States in the Convention, is in contradiction with the generally accepted principle of sovereign equality of States.
The People's Republic of Bulgaria declares also that the possibility envisaged in article 52, paragraph 3, for customs or economic unions to become Contracting Parties to the Convention, does not bind Bulgaria with any obligations whatsoever with respect to these unions.

China

05-07-2016

The People’s Republic of China does not accept the constraints imposed in article 57, paragraphs 2 through 6, of the 1975 Convention on the International Transport of Goods.
Pending further notification by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the 1975 Convention on the International Transport of Goods shall not apply within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

Egypt

16-12-2020

The Arab Republic of Egypt declares a reservation to article 57, paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, concerning the settlement through arbitration of disputes relating to the provisions of the Convention, in application of article 58 thereof. Accordingly, the Arab Republic of Egypt does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6.

Greece

12-04-1994

Succession of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), concluded at Geneva on 14 November 1975, does not imply its recognition on behalf of the Hellenic Republic.

Hungary

09-03-1978

The Hungarian People's Republic does not consider itself bound by the provisions on compulsory arbitration contained in article 57 of the Convention.
The Hungarian People's Republic draws attention to the fact that the provisions of paragraph 1 of article 52 of the Convention are at variance with the fundamental principles of international law. It follows from the generally accepted principle of sovereign equality of States that the Convention should be open for adherence by all States without any discrimination and restriction.

India

15-06-2017

The Republic of India declares that it does not consider itself bound by Article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6 of the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975), concerning the settlement of disputes, arising out of the interpretation or application of its provisions, through arbitration by the arbitration tribunal.

Israel

29-03-2018

The Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as depositary of the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), dated 14 November 1975, and has the honor to refer to the Palestinian request to accede to this Convention (Reference number C.N.801.2017.TREATIES-XI.A.16).
‘Palestine’ does not satisfy the criteria for statehood under international law and lacks the legal capacity to join the aforesaid Convention both under general international law and the terms of bilateral Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
The Government of Israel does not recognize ‘Palestine’ as a State, and wishes to place on record, for the sake of clarity, its position that it does not consider ‘Palestine’ a party to the Convention and regards the Palestinian request for accession as being without legal validity and without effect upon Israel’s treaty relations under the Convention.

Kuwait

23-11-1983

Reservation:
Excluding the application of article 57 (2) to (6).
Understanding:
It is understood that the accession by the State of Kuwait to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets concluded at Geneva on 14 November 1975 does not mean in any way recognition of Israel by the State of Kuwait. Furthermore, no treaty relations will arise between the State of Kuwait and Israel.

Objection Israel, 09-01-1984

The Government of the State of Israel has noted that the instrument by Kuwait contains a declaration of political character in respect of Israel. In the view of the Government of the State of Israel this Convention is not the place for making such political pronouncements. Moreover, the said declaration cannot in any way affect whatever obligations are binding upon the Government of the State of Kuwait under general international law or under specific Conventions.
The Government of the State of Israel will, in regard to the substance of the matter, adopt towards the Government of the State of Kuwait an attitude of complete reciprocity.

Oman

29-11-2018

… with a reservation to paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of article 57 relating to arbitration.

Pakistan

21-07-2015

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan declares, in terms of Article 58 of the Convention, that it would not be bound by the provisions of Article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6 of the Convention.

Palestine

18-03-2019

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.169.2018.TREATIES-XI.A.16, dated 4 April 2018, conveying a communication of the United States of America regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), 14 November 1975.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of the United States of America and wishes to recall the United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according to which Palestine was accorded a ‘Non-member Observer State status in the United Nations’. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), 14 November 1975, which entered into force on 29 June 2018 for the State of Palestine, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.


18-03-2019

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.182.2018.TREATIES-XI.A.16, dated 4 April 2018, conveying a communication of Israel regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), 14 November 1975.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of Israel and wishes to recall the United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according to which Palestine was accorded a ‘Non-member Observer State status in the United Nations’. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), 14 November 1975, which entered into force on 29 June 2018 for the State of Palestine, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.

Poland

23-12-1980

The Polish People's Republic declares that the provisions of article 52, paragraph 3, of the Customs Convention on the In- ternational Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), concluded at Geneva on 14 November 1975, under which customs or economic unions may become Contracting Parties to that Convention, does not in any way alter the position of the Government of the Polish People's Republic with regard to the international organizations in question.

Romania

14-02-1980

The Socialist Republic of Romania brings to knowledge that according to the provisions of paragraph 1, article 58 of the Cus- toms Convention on the International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), concluded at Geneva, on November 14, l975, it does not consider itself bound by the provisions of paragraphs 2-6 of article 57 of this Convention.
The Socialist Republic of Romania considers that the differences between two or more contracting parties on the interpreta- tion or implementation of the Convention, which had not been settled by negotiations or in any other way, could be submitted to arbitration only with the consent of all parties in dispute, in each individual case.
The Socialist Republic of Romania considers that the provisions of article 52, paragraph 1 of the Convention do not concur with the principles according to which the international multilateral treaties, whose object and aim interest the international community in its entirety, should be opened to the universal participation.

Russian Federation

08-06-1982

(a) Declaration in respect of article 52, paragraph 1:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics considers that the provision of article 52, paragraph 1, of the 1975 Customs Con- vention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), which restricts the participation of certain States in the Convention, is contrary to the generally recognized principle of the sovereign equality of States;
(b) Declaration in respect of article 52, paragraph 3:
The participation of customs or economic unions in the 1975 Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention) does not change the Soviet Union's position regarding different international organizations;
(c) Reservation in respect of article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6:
The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article 57, paragraphs 2 to 6, of the 1975 Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), which provide for the submission of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention to a court of arbitration at the request of one of the Parties in dispute, and declares that the agreement of all the Parties in dispute is required in each particular case for the submission of the dispute to a court of arbitration.

Switzerland

03-02-1978

The Government of Switzerland declares that the provisions of the Convention will apply to the Principality of Liechtenstein, so long as it is linked to Switzerland by a customs union treaty.


22-03-2021

In accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 60 bis of the TIR Convention, Switzerland declares that it does not accept Annex 11 at this time.

Syria

11-01-1999

The accession of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Convention and its conclusion doesn't imply in any way a recognition of Israel or the involvement of the Syrian Arab Republic on matters administrated by this Convention with it.
The Syrian Arab Republic has acceded to the [said Convention], with a reservation concerning paragraphs 2 to 6 of Article 57 of the Convention.

Ukraine

11-10-1994

The Government of Ukraine informed the Secretary-General that although, being a part of the USSR, Ukraine as one of the States Members of the United Nations since its inception, a number of provisions set forth in the Convention pertained solely to the competence of the Government of the Soviet Union. Furthermore, the Government of Ukraine specified that, from the time of the Soviet Union's participation in the TIR Convention, its provisions were extended also to the territory of Ukraine because Ukraine was an inalienable part of the USSR and also Ukraine, as a former Soviet Republic, shared borders with other States, and the relevant customs agencies of the Soviet Union were located in its territory. In accordance with the Act proclaiming the succession of Ukraine of 12 September 1991 and the Act of 15 July 1994 proclaiming the participation of Ukraine in the Convention, Ukraine reaffirmed its participation in the TIR Convention as from 12 September 1991.

United States of America

29-03-2018

The United States Mission to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and refers to the U.N. Secretary-General’s depositary notification C.N.801.2017.TREATIES-XI.A.16, dated January 2, 2018, regarding the purported accession of the ‘State of Palestine’ to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention), done at Geneva November 14, 1975, for which the Secretary-General of the United Nations is the depositary.
The Government of the United States of America does not believe the ‘State of Palestine’ qualifies as a sovereign State and does not recognize it as such. Accession to the TIR Convention is limited to sovereign States and customs or economic unions. Therefore, the Government of the United States of America believes that the ‘State of Palestine’ is not qualified to accede to the TIR Convention and affirms that it will not consider itself to be in a treaty relationship with the ‘State of Palestine’ under the TIR Convention.

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