BEIJING: In a move to increase China-Pakistan cross-border trade, an international road transport route opened between Chinese inland city of Kashgar and Islamabad as the first shipment convoy of 5 trucks bearing the TIR sign departed from Kashgar to Islamabad at an inaugural ceremony on Tuesday.
This convoy is notable for being the inaugural TIR trade transport between Pakistan and China, underlining a fresh mode of cross-border transport for Xinjiang and possibly setting a precedent for future trade routes within CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor).
Established in 1949, the international customs transit system TIR is characterized by safe, streamlined, and economical procedures.
Cargo remains sealed for the entirety of the transit, minimizing potential delays at border crossings and reducing the risk of cargo interference.
Moreover, the TIR’s unified international guarantee can reduce additional customs expenditures during cross-border transportation.
Route a Collaborative Initiative
The Kashgar-Islamabad TIR route is a collaborative initiative involving the Kashgar Municipal People’s Government, and Kashgar Customs and spearheaded by CEVA Logistics backed by the Shenzhen Cross-Border E-commerce Association.
Kashgar is the first inland city in China to adopt TIR inland transport services after Beijing’s ratification of the United Nations (UN) “TIR Convention” in 2016.
