IRU- International Road Transport Union

The IRU Training team provides services that are designed to build the necessary expertise in order for the actors involved in the TIR System to perform their tasks at the required security standards. These resources vary from instructor-led trainings to distance learning, to brochures.

The TIR Convention today numbers 68 Contracting Parties worldwide. The TIR System is operational in 58 countries, one country is in admission process while three others have entered the negotiation phase and six countries have demonstrated interest in joining.

The IRU is involved in activities which include, but are not limited to:

- partnership among all its active and associate members and with related organisations and industries to define, develop and promote policies of common interest;

- monitoring all activities, legislation, policies and events that impact the road transport industry, responding to and cooperating with all actors involved;

- strategic reflection on global challenges of energy, competition and social responsibility, drawing on the strengths and expertise of its members channeled through the IRU Commissions and Working Parties;

- dialogue with intergovernmental bodies, international organisations and all other stakeholders concerned by the road transport industry, including the public at large;

- cooperation with policy makers, legislators and opinion-makers, in order to contribute to informed and effective legislation, striking the right balance between the needs and interests of all;

- public-private partnerships with relevant authorities to implement legal instruments such as the TIR Convention under UN mandate or concrete transnational projects such as the reopening of the Silk Road;

- communication of the role and importance of the road transport industry, of its position on various issues and of reliable data and information;

- provision of practical services and information, to road transport operators, such as the latest fuel prices, waiting times at borders, secure parking areas, professional training, legislative developments, legal assistance, etc.

 

Text 2

Exercise 2. Review the text in English. Use words and word-combinations from the box:

Reliable, key procedures, features of the procedure, to provide system, haulage, comprise, to aim at, within the Eurasian Customs Union, application of the procedure, agreed-upon procedures, sustainable trade, transportation costs, mutual recognition, calling card, Customs officials, transport operators, easily achievable.

 

Автомобильный транспорт обуславливает торговое и экономическое развитие. Эффективные, надежные, современные и автоматизированные процедуры транзита являются ключевыми для дальнейшего упрощения процедур торговли.

Система МДП является единственной глобальной системой таможенного транзита, которая оказалась чрезвычайно успешной. Ее популярность можно объяснить особенностями режима МДП, который предоставляет транспортным операторам и таможенным органам простую, гибкую, экономически выгодную и надежную систему для международных перевозок грузов через границы.

Конвенция МДП насчитывает 68 договаривающихся сторон. Применение процедуры МДП в рамках Евразийского экономического союза предоставляет согласованные процедуры контроля и документацию для торговых и транзитных процедур, обеспечивает безопасность и устойчивость торговли, сокращает транспортные расходы, формальности и задержки благодаря взаимному признанию таможенного контроля и наличию эффективной гарантии.

Книжки МДП – визитная карточка системы МДП – известна сотрудникам таможенных органов Таможенного союза на протяжении десятилетий и облегчает формальности, связанные с транзитом, делая процедуры для должностных лиц таможенных органов быстрыми и легко выполнимыми.

Module 5

Exercise 1. While reading the text point out the threat of counterfeiting and pirated goods. Write a short summary of the text. Add some more information concerning fakes using the Internet.

Text 1

Counterfeit Goods

The production of counterfeit and pirated products continues to grow at an alarming rate and has reached intolerable proportions. In fact the array of fake goods is staggering. This scourge which has visible negative consequences for international trade, economic development, business confidence, and the health and safety of citizens around the world has to be stopped as a matter of priority. Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. For a start, legitimate businesses lose sales because of competition from counterfeiters.

The fight against counterfeiting has the main objective of informing the consumer about the real dangers of these products and to raise their awareness about the criminal industry that is so heavily involved in this illegal trade. These efforts engender a sense of responsibility and mobilize support to combat this empire of fraud, illusion, and deceit which places human lives at risk and wrecks initiatives designed to promote economic and social prosperity.

Today, counterfeit goods cross several borders, or even several continents, passing from port to port  and from airport to airport, changing ships or changing planes, using free zones and sometimes even switching transport documents or containers.

All this subterfuge has one main priority: to conceal the true origin of the goods and thereby avoid attracting the attention of Customs and other border control services. This technique, commonly known as transshipment or break-bulk transit, is very widespread nowadays, and Customs services have had to adapt their control methods, shifting their focus away from the origin of the suspect goods to the point of dispatch and, in more general terms, the itinerary followed.

Protecting consumer health and safety is a vital mission for Customs administrations across the globe and it is important that WCO Members equip themselves with new laws and enhanced operational instruments offering practical responses which are commensurate with the risk that counterfeit and pirated products pose.

Exercise 2. Answer the questions:

1. What is counterfeit?

2. What does counterfeiting mean to most people?

3. How much do governments lose because of counterfeiting?

Exercise 3. Render the gist of Text 2 in a few sentences.

Text 2