The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its role as a key trade hub through its strong and continued support for the TIR system, led by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). This commitment is translating into tangible and growing benefits, with faster and more efficient cross-border procedures and an expanding range of operational scenarios.
In recent months, transport operators and logistics companies have reported significant improvements in processing times, thanks to streamlined procedures and the effective implementation of TIR. The availability of express transit services at border crossings is enabling goods to move more swiftly and predictably, reducing delays and enhancing supply chain reliability across the region.
A notable development is the operationalisation of TIR across new corridors connecting Saudi Arabia with Türkiye, opening direct overland trade routes that link the GCC region with Eurasia. These routes support both Saudi exports and imports under TIR while enabling the Kingdom to serve as a transit country – a significant expansion of its role in regional logistics.
This was further demonstrated during the recent regional crisis, when TIR – supported by close cooperation with ZATCA, Qatar's General Authority of Customs and IRU members – ensured uninterrupted movement of essential goods to Qatar via Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia’s strong support for TIR, under the leadership of ZATCA, is delivering real, measurable benefits for trade facilitation,” said IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto.
“By enabling faster, more secure and efficient cross-border transport, the Kingdom is not only supporting its private sector but also strengthening its role as a vital transit hub in the region, especially at a time when resilient supply chains are more important than ever,” he added.
Through continued collaboration and innovation, Saudi Arabia is demonstrating how modern customs solutions like TIR can effectively respond to today’s logistics challenges while driving economic growth.