A new TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) international road transport route from the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone in Qingdao to Georgia opened on Oct 14.

Under the supervision of Jiaozhou Customs, the first two TIR trucks, loaded with clothing, departed from the SCO demonstration zone, marking the seventh TIR route launched by the zone and Shandong province's first cross-Caspian TIR service.

Georgia sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, serving as a key transit hub for goods traveling from China to European markets and an important Belt and Road partner. The two trucks will exit through the Khorgos Port, cross Kazakhstan to the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea, take a ferry across the Caspian, and pass through Azerbaijan before reaching Georgia — a journey expected to take 18 days.

"TIR saves on inspection and container detention fees, eliminates port transshipment and consolidation costs, and reduces cargo damage," said Dou Kun, manager of Qingdao Runshengchi International Logistics. "Compared with traditional sea freight, TIR cuts transport time from 30-45 days to around 18 days."

"Jiaozhou Customs is using cross-border road transport policy benefits to keep the zone's TIR corridors running smoothly," said Song Tao, deputy director of Jiaozhou Customs. The customs authority provides one-stop supervision covering declaration, review, inspection, and sealing, with full-process guidance for enterprises.

The SCO demonstration zone has opened TIR routes covering e-commerce, bonded goods, and cold chain logistics, and has dispatched 277 TIR shipments in the first three quarters of this year, with a total value of 240 million yuan ($35.9 million).

Two TIR trucks loaded with clothing depart for Georgia from Qingdao's SCO demonstration zone. [Photo/Guanhai News]