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Issuance of so-called "red" and "blue" TIR Carnets terminated

25 March 2003
In line with the request by the Working Party on Customs Questions affecting Transport (WP.30) at its one-hundred-and-third session (3-7 February 2003), the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and its member associations have taken the appropriate steps to stop the issuance of so-called "red" and "blue" TIR Carnets to TIR Carnet holders as per 31 May 2003. After that date, only so-called "black" TIR Carnets, with a number above 38,000,000, preceded by a 2-letter security code, will be issued.
"Red" TIR Carnets have been distributed by the IRU until 30 June 2002 and bear either an eight character numbering (up to number 24,999,999) or a 10 character alpha-numeric numbering with 2 letters and 8 numbers (XB 25,000,000 to XX 34,999,999). "Blue" TIR Carnets have been distributed since 1 December 2001 und bear a 10 character alpha-numeric numbering with 2 letters and 8 numbers (AX 35,000,000 to XZ 37,999,999)
Customs administrations are advised to inform their Customs officials of this change, reminding them that all TIR Carnets will remain valid until the completion of the TIR transport at the Customs office of destination, provided they have been taken under Customs control at the Customs office of departure within the time-limit set by the issuing association