Newsroom

IRU members came together for a virtual Commission on Customs Affairs (CAD) meeting last week. They assessed the latest cross-border developments – such as implementing eTIR, enhancing TIR’s competitiveness, and digitalising operations – amid continued pressure on logistics routes and supply chains.

To support the industry amid trade disruptions and rising fuel prices, IRU has launched a dedicated information hub with real-time alerts, fuel prices, border crossing maps, calls for government action, and more.

With conflict disrupting transport routes and commercial operations across the Middle East, the TIR transit system is once again keeping supply chains afloat, enabling the secure and efficient movement of essential goods.

Surging diesel prices and tightening fuel supply are putting EU transport operators under immediate pressure and risk disrupting logistics chains. IRU is calling on the European Commission to urgently coordinate an EU-wide response to stabilise fuel markets and ensure the continued flow of goods.

In a meeting with IRU, Paraguay’s Director of the National Directorate of Tax Revenues expressed strong interest in joining the global TIR transit system, recognising its potential to strengthen regional trade and logistics connectivity.

A recent conference in Brazil explored the significant benefits of coupling the Bioceanic Corridor with the TIR system, including cutting transport costs by 30%, according to a government study.

Augusto Ramos outlined three key issues that will define his mandate – along with a first 100-day plan – at the General Assembly of Mexico’s national trucking association.

Significant progress has been made in reforming the ECMT Multilateral Quota, including the launch of a digital permit system.

Tolls are undergoing a big technological shift – with significant implications for road transport operators. AS 24, a subsidiary of IRU member TotalEnergies, made a strong technological bet four years ago that is now paying off for its customers.

CEOs and senior figures from North American trucking companies came together in Mexico City to exchange views on cross-border policies at IRU’s annual North American Leadership Dialogue – amid the upcoming revision of the Mexico–United States–Canada trade agreement.

The world road transport organisation, IRU, intervened in major policy debates and marked the 70th anniversary of CMR at the highest UNECE Inland Transport Committee events.

IRU marks the 70th anniversary of the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR) – a cornerstone of international road transport law.

Transport companies have wasted no time taking advantage of the new types of operations now possible under the global TIR transit system.

Longstanding public-private partnerships (PPPs) like the TIR transit system are accelerating the Kingdom’s evolution into a logistics powerhouse, IRU underscored at the Roads, Bridges & Tunnels KSA Conference.

International organisation and customs chiefs, along with national authorities, met with IRU in Geneva this week to discuss transit measures and digitalisation.

The EUR 3 billion ETS2 Frontloading Facility is a welcome development. However, without explicit prioritisation, commercial road transport risks being left without the predictable support it needs to decarbonise.

The Federative Republic of Brazil has become the 79th contracting party to the United Nations TIR Convention.

IRU, the world road transport organisation, and the International Transport Forum (ITF) have signed a new cooperation agreement ahead of the ITF 2026 Summit, fuelling their long-standing partnership.

Experts at Iraq’s first major logistics exhibition discussed the reshaping of strategic transit corridors and trade in the Middle East.

A new six-day transport corridor – enabled by the global TIR transit system – is giving traders more options in the Middle East and strengthening regional connections.

The types of operations possible under TIR have been broadened, unleashing new momentum for seamless logistics across Eurasia.

IRU marks International Customs Day 2026, honouring the vital work of customs officers worldwide.

Freight flows are realigning around new trade routes, but borders remain the weakest link. IRU presented concrete measures to streamline freight flows along the increasingly important Middle Corridor at a major Turkic Week event in Vienna.

More than 75 years since TIR – the only global transit system – started reviving and connecting European economies, the system continues to evolve and expand. This year-in-review article looks at five key developments from 2025.

Movements under TIR from Türkiye to GCC markets through Syria have officially restarted, marking a major milestone for regional trade and international road transport after years of interruption.

Saudi Arabia and other countries are rapidly climbing the logistics ladder. How can they continue moving up? The answer lies in soft public-private partnerships (PPPs), the multiplier of logistics performance, IRU detailed at the Riyadh Supply Chain and Logistics Conference.

A lot has happened this year. We explored the key issues and initiatives that impacted cross-border trucking in North America in 2025 – and what to expect in 2026 – during our end-of-year webinar.

The deployment of the European Union’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is entering a critical phase for road goods transport. From 1 January 2026, several EU countries will decommission ICS1, meaning Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) for goods entering or transiting through the EU by road must be submitted via ICS2. Further roll‑outs will follow on 1 June 2026. There is no enforcement grace period, so make sure you are ready to avoid delays and penalties.

As the European Commission is expected to present its Automotive Package  tomorrow, as announced, IRU and its partner associations, the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services (CLECAT), and the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), will bring together leading Members of the European Parliament and industry stakeholders in Strasbourg tomorrow to discuss solutions, showcase progress, and ensure that fleet decarbonisation ambitions are grounded in operational real

New TIR Green Lanes have opened at China’s Erenhot border crossing, significantly accelerating the transport of goods.

A recent operation transporting film and photography equipment highlights the growing importance of TIR in Iraq for unlocking efficient, secure and seamless intercontinental trade.

The Middle East is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic logistics hubs, led by innovation, investment and smart cross-border solutions. At Logistics Leaders MENA 2025 in Dubai, the public and private sectors came together to map out the next phase of the region’s logistics evolution.

The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region is a leading user of the TIR system, with three of its members – Uzbekistan, Iran and Türkiye – being the top carnet issuers globally. IRU outlined key measures to ministers to further ease trade bottlenecks in the region at a high-level ECO meeting in Istanbul this week.

What’s new in the 2027 ADR regulation? What are the requirements for using battery-electric vehicles to transport dangerous goods? And how should repacked or undeclared dangerous goods be handled in reverse logistics? Our expert speakers explained all the key points in our recent webinar.

TIR became operational in Iraq on 1 April 2025. The government has now made it mandatory for all goods transiting its territory by road to reinforce security and efficiency.