Transport History: T1 vs T2 Differences
Tir Agreement and Tir Convention
In the past, when goods had to pass through a country en route to another territory, customs duties were required to be paid at the relevant customs office. This meant that the same procedure had to be repeated in each country the transportation passed through. These practices created additional costs and delays.
To address this issue, the concept of transit was introduced. Transit allowed for the movement of goods through multiple countries without paying customs duties. It became a customs regime used to facilitate the circulation of goods across borders without the burden of customs charges.
After World War II, European trade grew rapidly, but outdated customs procedures became obstacles. To find new solutions, countries sought to establish agreements that would streamline and simplify the movement of goods. In 1949, the TIR Agreement was drafted as an early form of community transit. It created a system of guarantees that facilitated the transportation of goods within Europe. The success of this agreement led to the creation of the TIR Convention in 1959, which currently has 77 contracting countries as of 2021.
T1 and T2
In 1968, with the introduction of the common customs tariff, there arose a need for a specific transit regime within the European Community. Consequently, the community transit system, known as T1 and T2, was established.
The main difference between T1 and T2 is their applicability to different types of goods.
The T1 regime covers the movement of non-union goods, which are goods originating from outside the European Union. Under the T1 regime, customs measures that would normally apply upon importation are suspended, allowing for smoother transit across countries.
On the other hand, the T2 regime is reserved for the movement of union goods, which are goods originating from within the European Union. Similar to T1, the T2 regime suspends customs measures that would normally apply upon importation into a common transit country.
Over time, the community transit system expanded its membership. In 1972, the EFTA countries, including Switzerland and Austria, joined the regime. In 1987, all other EFTA countries also became part of the system.
In summary, T1 and T2 represent different categories within the community transit regime. T1 facilitates the movement of non-union goods, while T2 enables the movement of union goods within the European Community. These regimes help simplify customs procedures, reduce costs, and promote smoother transportation of goods across borders.
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