International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods

General Detail

General Information

  1. Type: Convention
  2. Date of signature:
  3. Place of signature: Geneva, Switzerland
  4. Depositary:
  5. Date of entry into force: 15/10/1985

Category

Customs

Sub category

Customs Cooperation

Groups

UNECE

What is it about?

This Convention, adopted under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), improves the international movement of goods by harmonizing frontier controls. State Parties have to provide their customs services with sufficient personnel and equipment. Adjacent State Parties having a common inland frontier are held to cooperate and to facilitate the passage of goods. This obligation implies the arrangement of shared facilities for the joint control of goods or documents and the adjustment of opening hours of frontier posts as well as the control services operating there. State Parties are advised to use documents aligned on the United Nations Layout Key for trade documents and have to provide simple and speedy treatment for goods, limiting inspections to cases where these are warranted by actual circumstances or risks.

Why is it relevant?

The provisions of the 1982 Convention reduce paperwork in import or export operations and the number and duration of frontier controls. This Convention facilitates international trade between State Parties by establishing national and international cooperation in customs matters. Membership to the present Convention is open to all States.

Additional Information

The State Parties withhold the right to restrict the import, export or transit of goods for reasons of public order, public safety, morality and health, or for the protection of the environment, of cultural heritage or industrial, commercial and intellectual property.

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Country ratifications
CountryRatification date
Albania28/12/2004
Armenia08/12/1993
Austria22/07/1987
Azerbaijan08/05/2000
Belarus05/04/1993
Belgium12/06/1987
Bosnia and Herzegovina01/09/1993
Bulgaria27/02/1998
Croatia20/05/1994
Cuba15/04/1992
Cyprus01/07/2002
Czech Republic30/09/1993
Denmark12/06/1987
Estonia04/03/1996
Finland08/08/1985
France12/06/1987
Georgia02/06/1999
Germany12/06/1987
Greece12/06/1987
Hungary26/01/1984
Iran18/05/2010
Ireland12/06/1987
Italy12/06/1987
Jordan13/11/2008
Kazakhstan25/01/2005
Kyrgyzstan02/04/1998
Lao People's Democratic Republic29/09/2008
Latvia18/12/2003
Lesotho30/03/1988
Liberia16/09/2005
Lithuania07/12/1995
Luxembourg12/06/1987
Macedonia (The former Yugoslav Republic of)20/12/1999
Moldova03/12/2008
Mongolia02/11/2007
Montenegro23/10/2006
Morocco25/09/2012
Netherlands12/06/1987
Norway10/07/1985
Poland06/12/1996
Portugal10/11/1987
Romania10/11/2000
Russian Federation28/01/1986
Serbia12/03/2001
Slovakia28/05/1993
Slovenia06/07/1992
South Africa24/02/1987
Spain02/07/1984
Sweden15/07/1985
Switzerland21/01/1986
Tajikistan28/12/2011
Tunisia11/03/2009
Turkey21/03/2006
Ukraine12/09/2003
United Kingdom12/06/1987
Uzbekistan27/11/1996
Treaties analysis
YearRatifications
19842
19853
19862
198714
19881
19922
19935
19941
19951
19963
19982
19992
20002
20011
20021
20032
20041
20052
20062
20071
20083
20091
20101
20111
20121
Total57
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