A look at transit and customs problems in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has been trying for a long time to become a member of Transports Internationaux Routiers (International Road Transports, or TIR). “Afghanistan applied for TIR membership in 1976, yet unfortunately, TIR turned down the application, citing civil war in the country. The country eventually managed to become a member of TIR in September 2013,” a report by the Public Relations Department of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce quoted Afghan Customs Agent Alireza Sadrikhah as saying.

Sadrikhah described Iran’s geographic position as important for Afghanistan’s international trade and said, “Iran’s access to high seas makes it the best route for trade exchanges in the region; it can also offer common benefits to all regional nations.”

“Studies suggest Iran’s transit route is the best to Central Asia, Afghanistan and northern Iraq,” said President of the board and CEO of Bar Baran International Shipping Agency and Forwarding Company Farid Saffarzadeh. He called for improvement in the TIR trend as far as transport between the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Iran is concerned.

He added, “In terms of transport, two criteria must be observed. First, transit services should be provided for shipping companies. Second, security is so important. Iran enjoys a better geopolitical position than Turkey and Pakistan, which have a longer transit path with more overheads. All in all, Iran seems to be the best option.”