Convention on Transit Trade of Land-Locked States

General Information

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What is it about?

This instrument sets to work the principles laid down by the Convention on the High Seas (Geneva, 29 April 1958), which are reaffirmed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Montego Bay, 10 December 1982) concerning the land-locked States’ right of free access to the sea. It intends to promote transit of goods originating from land-locked States with destination to coastal States. The Contracting Parties shall not impose duties on goods for transit on their territory and they commit to provide the appropriate means to ensure transport between a land-locked State and the sea without unjustifiable delays. This Convention foresees also agreements between Contracting Parties concerning the storage of goods for transit and the installation of free trade zones at the port of entry and exit of the transit States.

Why is it relevant?

The 1965 Convention serves as a base for several bilateral Conventions promoting the international transport between land-locked States and coastal States, especially in Africa. The system of sea accessing rights for land-locked States is today governed by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (145 Contracting Parties in 2003), whose provisions are more favorable for land-locked States than the 1965 Convention.

Additional Information

The Contracting Parties retain the right to refuse territorial transit of goods that are banned from import by internal law for morality, public health or safety reasons, or to prevent animal or plant diseases, or parasites.

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