TIR truck drivers navigating Kyrgyzstan’s key border crossings with China now benefit from faster and more efficient customs procedures, thanks to the introduction of dedicated TIR windows at the Turugart and Irkeshtam checkpoints.
These specialized windows cater to TIR operators using TIR-EPD, the TIR advance cargo information system, enabling them to bypass standard queues and proceed directly to designated lanes. This significantly reduces processing times, enhancing the efficiency of international trade by truck through Kyrgyzstan.
This is the result of collaborative efforts between the State Customs Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), and IRU member, the Kyrgyzstan International Road Transport Association.
“Kyrgyzstan plays a critical role in bridging east-west trade routes, and investments in infrastructure—both physical and digital—are vital for ensuring seamless connectivity,” said an official from the State Customs Service.
As a landlocked nation, Kyrgyzstan is investing in soft infrastructure solutions like the TIR system to strengthen its position as a regional and intercontinental trade gateway. The introduction of dedicated TIR windows reflects the country’s commitment to facilitating commerce while boosting its strategic importance along the ancient Silk Road.
What Routes do these Trucks take?
The Trans-Caspian Corridors comprise three key road transport routes that facilitate regional and international trade.
- Northern Trans-Caspian Corridor: This route starts at the China-Kazakhstan border and moves west through Kazakhstan to the Port of Aktau/Kuryk. From there, goods are transported by sea across the Caspian to Azerbaijan, and then either by land to Georgia and further to Turkey, or via maritime transport across the Black Sea to Europe.
- Central Trans-Caspian Corridor: This route begins in Khorgos, China, and traverses Kazakhstan, passing through key cities like Almaty and Shymkent before merging with the Northern Trans-Caspian Corridor at Saksaulskaya. Like the Northern Corridor, it also provides access to the EU through the Middle Corridor.
- Southern Trans-Caspian Corridor: This route begins in Kyrgyzstan at the Torugart Pass, traveling through Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, passing through cities such as Tashkent and Ashgabat. It crosses the Caspian Sea via Turkmenbashi Port before continuing across the Caucasus, the Black Sea, and into Europe.
These road and rail corridors, combined with maritime routes, are critical for connecting Central Asia with global markets, especially with Europe and Turkey, facilitating the flow of goods in and out of the region.
In 2023, CEVA Logistics launched a new TIR route connecting China with Central Asia, aimed at boosting trade between China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The first TIR truck, carrying industrial components, auto parts, and daily necessities, successfully traveled 1,100 kilometers from Kashgar in western China to Samarkand in Uzbekistan. CEVA expects the new route to facilitate regular operations, with up to 100 trucks per month.
What is a TIR truck?
A TIR truck is a truck that transports goods internationally using the TIR system, which stands for Transports Internationaux Routiers. TIR is a customs transit system that allows goods to cross borders with minimal customs interference.
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