As of 1 August 2024, a new pilot project grants priority to TIR carnet holders using the TIR-EPD application at the Albita and Siret border customs offices, located on Romania’s borders with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, respectively. The initiative, which also includes empty lorries, allows these vehicles to use a specially designated lane, aiming to significantly reduce waiting times at these key border crossings.
The decision followed a meeting in June between the Romanian Customs Authority (AVR) and various road transport organisations, including the National Union of Road Transporters from Romania (UNTRR), the International Union of Road Transport (IRU), and counterparts from Moldova and Ukraine. The primary focus of the meeting was to address the severe delays at these border points, where HGVs have faced waiting times of up to nine days.
These delays have led to numerous challenges, including breaches of legal driving times for truck drivers, late deliveries, penalties for transporters, supply chain disruptions, and increased pollution due to idle vehicles, reports the Romanian carrier association UNTRR. Reducing these waiting times is seen as critical not only for the road haulage industry but also for the wider economy, including importers, exporters, and consumers.
By introducing the dedicated lane for TIR carnet holders and empty trucks, the project aims to increase the daily number of trucks crossing the borders by up to two or three times. The TIR system has been shown to reduce transport times by as much as 80%, enhancing the efficiency of customs processing and facilitating faster border crossings.
The Albita border customs office handles traffic between Romania and the Republic of Moldova, while the Siret customs office serves the border with Ukraine. Both are vital points of entry for goods moving between these countries and the European Union.
Albita border crossing:
Siret Border Customs Office: