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Traffic Manual

IX.8.3. Completing the TIR Carnet

Completing the TIR Carnet boxes

Part 7.2. Best practices for using the TIR Carnet, Annex I of the TIR Manual

Page 1 of the cover must be completed by the association or the TIR Carnet holder.

Box 1
Validity expiry date (in dd/mm/yyyy format) after which the TIR Carnet may no longer be presented for acceptance at the customs office of departure. Provided it has been accepted by the customs office of departure on or before the last day of its validity, the TIR Carnet will remain valid until the end of the TIR operation at the customs office of destination. [Note: [Corrections are not permitted in this box.]

Box 2
Name of the national association issuing the TIR Carnet.

Box 3
Identification number (ID), name, address and country of the TIR Carnet holder. The guarantor association assigns the TIR carnet holder a personal and unique identification number (ID) in accordance with the following harmonized format: «AAA/BBB/XX…X», where «AAA» represents the three-letter code of the country in which the TIR Carnet user obtained the authorisation, «BBB» represents the three-digit numerical code of the national association through which the TIR Carnet holder obtained his authorisation and «XX…X» represents consecutive numbers (of a maximum of ten digits) by which the person authorised to use TIR Carnets is identified.

Box 4
Stamp and signature of the issuing association.

Box 5
Signature (printed) of the secretary of the international organization.

Box 6
Country or countries where the transport of goods begins, for all or part of the cargo, under the TIR procedure.

Box 7
Country or countries where the carriage of goods under the TIR procedure ends, for all or part of the cargo.

Box 8
Registration number of the road transport vehicle(s), not only that of the motor vehicle (e.g., the traction unit), but also that of the trailer or semi-trailer pulled by said vehicle. Where national legislation does not provide for the registration of trailers or semi-trailers, the identification number or the manufacturer's number shall be entered instead of the registration number.

Box 9


Number and date of the TIR approval certificate(s).

Box 10
Identification number(s) of the container(s) (where applicable).

Box 11
Observations, for example, the annotation "Heavy or bulky goods."

Box 12
Signature of the TIR Carnet holder or his/her representative.

Sheets No. 1/No. 2 (yellow) not intended for customs use
It is the responsibility of the TIR Carnet holder to complete the yellow sheet. The content of this sheet should be the same as that on sheets 1 to 20, that is, the white and green sheets. In principle, customs authorities do not make any entries on this sheet, except when the TIR Carnet holder requests that the changes be endorsed.

Resolutions and Recommendations of the TIR Manual
On 31 January 2008, the Administrative Committee of the TIR Convention adopted a recommendation requiring TIR Carnet holders to indicate the six-digit HS code of the goods in box 10 of the goods manifest, on the sheet not intended for customs use (yellow sheet) of the TIR Carnet, in addition to providing a description of the goods.

The customs office of departure in the Union must also accept the inclusion of the HS code on the TIR carnet sheets for customs use.

Please note that the TIR Carnet holder is not required to enter the HS code.

In cases where the HS code is stated, the customs authorities at the customs office of departure or entry (in transit) must check whether the HS code indicated corresponds to the code appearing on other customs, commercial, or transport documents.

Sheet No. 1 (white): part completed by the TIR carnet holder

Box 1
TIR Carnet reference number.

Box 2
Customs office or offices where the transport of the goods begins, for all or part of the cargo, in accordance with the TIR procedure. The number of customs offices of departure can range from 1 to 3, depending on the number of customs offices of destination (see box 12 below). The total number of customs offices of departure and destination may not exceed four.

Box 3
Name and/or logo of the international organization.

Box 4
Identification number (ID), name, address and country of the TIR Carnet holder. For more information, see box 3 on the cover.

Box 5
Country or countries where the transport of goods begins, for all or part of the cargo, under the TIR procedure.

Box 6
Country or countries where the transport of goods under the TIR procedure ends, for all or part of the cargo.

Box 7
Registration number of the road transport vehicle(s), not only that of the motor vehicle, but also that of the trailer or semi-trailer pulled by said vehicle. Where national legislation does not provide for the registration of trailers or semi-trailers, the identification number or the manufacturer's number shall be entered instead of the registration number.

Box 8
In accordance with Rules 10(c) or 11 relating to the use of the TIR Carnet, additional documents may be attached to the Carnet. In this case, the customs office of departure must attach them to the TIR Carnet, using staples or other means, and seal them in such a way that their removal leaves no obvious traces. To prevent documents from being substituted, the customs office of departure will stamp each page of the attached documents. The documents must be attached to the cover (or yellow sheet) and to each sheet of the TIR Carnet. This box must contain information about these documents.

Box 9

  1. Identification number(s) of the cargo compartment(s) or container(s) (where applicable).
  2. Marks or identification numbers of the packages or articles.

Box 10
Number and type of packages or articles, description of the goods. The description of the goods must include their commercial name (televisions, videos, CD players, etc.) and allow for clear identification. A generic description of the goods, such as electronic devices, household appliances, clothing, or household supplies, will not be accepted as a description. The SA code (yellow page) can also be entered in this box. In addition, the number of packages corresponding to each described merchandise must be indicated on the goods manifest. In the case of bulky goods, the quantity of the goods must be declared.

Box 11
Gross weight in kilograms (kg).

Box 12
Number of packages to be delivered to the various destination customs offices, total number of packages and names (locations) of said customs offices. The number of destination customs offices may range from 1 to 3, depending on the number of departure customs offices (see box 2 above). The total number of customs offices of departure and destination may not exceed four.

Casillas 13-15
Place, date and signature of the TIR Carnet holder or his agent. By completing this box in the TIR Carnet, the holder assumes responsibility for the accuracy of the information entered therein. These three pieces of information must appear on all pages of the TIR Carnet.

Sheet No. 1 (white): part completed by the customs authorities

Space reserved for the Administration
Any information that facilitates customs controls, such as the number of the previous customs document, etc.

Box 16
Number and identification data of the seals or identification marks applied. The final customs office of departure must record this information on all remaining sheets.

Box 17
Date (in dd/mm/yyyy format), stamp and signature of the competent official at the customs office of departure. At the final customs office of departure, the competent official must sign and date stamp box 17, located below the manifest, on all remaining sheets.

Box 18
Name of the customs office of departure or entry.

Box 19
If the seal or other identification marks are intact at the start of the TIR operation, the box provided for this purpose must be marked with an X. The first customs office of departure does not need to complete this box.

Box 20
Deadline (deadline: date (in dd/mm/yyyy format and time, if applicable) of transit on which the TIR Carnet must be presented together with the road transport vehicle, vehicle combination or container at the customs office of exit or destination.

Box 21
Identification data of the customs office of departure or entry, followed by the registration number assigned to the TIR operation in the customs register.

Box 22
Several, for example, transit customs or destination customs where the goods must be presented. Where applicable, the prescribed itinerary must be indicated in this box.

Box 23
Date (in dd/mm/yyyy format), stamp and signature of the competent official of the customs office of departure or entry.

Sheet No. 1 (white): part completed by the customs authorities

Box 1
Identification data of the customs office of departure or entry.

Box 2
Master Reference Number (MRN) and any other registration number assigned to the TIR operation.

Box 3
Where applicable, number and identification data of the seals or identification marks applied.

Box 4
If the seal or other identification marks are intact at the start of the TIR operation, the box provided for this purpose must be marked with an X. The first customs office of departure does not need to complete this box.

Box 5
Several, for example, transit customs or destination customs where the goods must be presented. Where applicable, the prescribed itinerary must be indicated in this box.

Box 6
Date (in dd/mm/yyyy format), stamp and signature of the competent official of the customs office of departure or entry.

Matrix No. 1
When the TIR operation starts without exchange of logbook data (emergency/business continuity procedure; Section 8.4), the seal (the model of which is given in Annex 8.6) shall be affixed to matrix No. 1 in a clearly visible place.

Sheet No. 2 (green): part completed by the TIR carnet holder

Boxes 1 to 23 on sheet 2 are completed in the same way as the corresponding boxes on sheet 1.

Sheet No. 2 (green): part completed by the customs authorities

Box 24
Identification data of the destination or exit customs office.

Box 25
If the seal or other identification marks are intact, an X must be entered in the box provided for this purpose.

Box 26
Number of packages unloaded. This box must be completed by the destination customs office and not by the exit customs office.

Box 27
This box should only be completed when irregularities, accidents, or incidents have been detected in connection with TIR transport. In such cases, an "R" must be marked, followed by a clear description of any reservations. If the customs authorities declare a TIR operation subject to unspecified systematic reservations to be closed, they must state the reasons for this.

Box 28
Date (in dd/mm/yyyy format), stamp and signature of the competent official of the destination or exit customs office.
When the relevant part of sheet 2 is returned in case the TIR operation started without exchange of TIR Carnet data (emergency/business continuity procedure; section 8.4), the following information shall be indicated on the back of said sheet: return address of the customs authorities of the Member State of departure or entry (in transit) and, in the box "For official use" (reserved for the Administration), the stamp "NCTS Emergency Procedure" (a model of which is shown in Annex 8.6).

Matrix No. 2 (green): part completed by the customs authorities

Box 1
Identification data of the destination or exit customs office.

Box 2
If the seal or other identification marks are intact, an X must be entered in the box provided for this purpose.

Box 3
Number of packages unloaded. This box must be completed by the destination customs office and not by the exit customs office.

Box 4
Where applicable, number and identification data of the seals or identification marks applied.

Box 5
As with box 27 on sheet 2, this box should only be completed when irregularities, accidents or incidents have been detected in connection with TIR transport. In such cases, an "R" must be marked, followed by a clear description of any reservations. If the customs authorities declare a TIR operation subject to unspecified systematic reservations to be closed, they must state the reasons for this.

Box 6
Date (in dd/mm/yyyy format), stamp and signature of the competent official of the destination or exit customs office.

Completion of the TIR Carnet verification report

Box 1
Customs office or offices of departure.

Box 2
TIR Carnet number.

Box 3
Name of the international organization.

Box 4
Registration number(s) of the road transport vehicle(s).

Box 5
Name and identification number of the TIR Carnet holder.

Box 6
Status of customs seals; the appropriate box must be marked with an "X":

  • left box: seals intact;
  • box on the right: broken seals.

Box 7
Condition of the cargo compartment, container or containers:

  • left box: the cargo compartment is intact;
  • box on the right: the cargo compartment has been opened.

Box 8
Observations/findings.

Box 9
In the box "No merchandise appears to be missing", the relevant box must be marked with an "X":

  • left box: no merchandise is missing;
  • box on the right: merchandise is missing. In the latter case, boxes 10 to 13 must be completed, indicating the missing or damaged goods.

Box 10

  1. Cargo compartment or compartments, or container or containers: identification data must be entered.
  2. Marks and identification numbers of packages or articles: identification data must be entered.

Box 11
Number and type of packages or articles, description of the goods.

Box 12
(M) for missing goods;
(D) for damaged goods.

Box 13
Comments and details on missing or spoiled quantities.

Box 14
Date (dd/mm/yyyy), place and time of the accident.

Box 15
Measures taken to allow the TIR operation to continue: an "X" must be marked in the appropriate box and, where appropriate, other boxes must also be marked:

  • top box: placement of new seals: number and description;
  • middle box: transfer of the load, see box 16;
  • bottom box: others.

Box 16
In case of transfer of goods: The "Description of each vehicle or container replaced" space will be completed by indicating:

  1. Vehicle registration number; If the vehicle has been authorized for transport under the TIR regime, an "X" will be marked in the box on the left. If it has not been authorized, an “X” will be marked in the box on the right.
  2. Identification number of the container or containers; If the container has been authorized for transport under the TIR regime, an "X" will be marked in the box on the left. If it has not been authorized, an “X” will be marked in the box on the right.

The approval certificate number shall also be entered, where applicable, on the right-hand side of the right-hand box, and the number of seals placed and their characteristics shall be entered on the line provided to the right of the right-hand box.

Box 17
Number/title and details of the authority that completed the verification report; place, date (dd/mm/yyyy), stamp and signature.

Box 18
Date (dd/mm/yyyy), stamp and signature of the next customs office where the TIR transport arrives.
Detachable sheet
If the competent authorities confiscate the TIR Carnet for investigation purposes, the detachable numbered corner of its back cover must be peeled off and returned to the TIR Carnet holder. It must be endorsed by the authority that confiscated the TIR Carnet with a legible seal and signature.