Meeting between the WCO and the IRU

WCO Headquarters, 17 February

Report

The WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, met Martin Marmy, Secretary General of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), at WCO Headquarters on 17 February 2009. The IRU, through its national associations, represents the entire road transport industry worldwide.

During the wide ranging discussions, Mr Mikuriya said that for matters of land transport the IRU was the WCO's natural partner and that both Organizations shared common goals relating to trade facilitation, whilst ensuring the security of the international supply chain. Mr Mikuriya stressed that enhancement of co-operation with global players such as the IRU was essential in working towards the goals of a globally networked customs and better coordinated border management as outlined in the WCO's Customs in the 21 Century policy document. They also identified a number of technical areas where cooperation could be enhanced between the WCO and the IRU: implementation of the SAFE Framework; cargo data submission; and border waiting times.

At present, the WCO Secretariat is collaborating with the IRU on an e-learning programme for the TIR carnet system, under which trucks are sealed by customs upon departure and can cross several borders without further checks until they reach their destination.