First container travels from UAE to Czech Republic under intermodal TIR

The first ever container from the United Arab Emirates under TIR has reached its destination in the Czech Republic, demonstrating significant time savings, and in turn reducing costs both for transport operators and their customers.

The use of TIR enabled the movement of the goods between the Free Zones in UAE without the need for the 5% customs duties and taxes deposit. Furthermore, thanks to TIR’s global capacity, the operation used a single guarantee and transit document to reduce cargo handling time, streamline container utilisation and accelerate the delivery of the goods.

The container, which arrived at the final destination in the Czech Republic on 2 November, first travelled by road from the Saif Customs Zone to Jebel Ali port. It then went by sea to Hamburg, by rail to the Ceska Tebova rail terminal in the Czech Republic, before going by road to Olomouc, the final destination.

Kuehne+ Nagel UAE (TIR carnet holder) transported the container by road on the first part of its journey, before Metrans took over the transport between Hamburg and Olomouc. The operation will be followed by two further transports, which will equally benefit from TIR’s intermodal capacity.

Thanks to the use of TIR, the container was securely sealed at the customs of departure, removing the need for physical inspections along the journey.

The operation is the result of cooperation between the customs authorities in UAE, Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as the TIR guaranteeing associations – ATCUAE, BGL and CESMAD Bohemia – all coordinated by IRU. 

It is an example of a successful public/private partnership providing real value, and illustrates how TIR helps smooth trade, strengthening international cooperation across the entire transport chain and facilitating trade between the Middle East and Europe.