Source: IMPACCT/ UN OCHA
14.08.2020
Bulletin n° 7 – CIQP : 14 August 2020 (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Procedures)
IMPORTATION and CUSTOMS PROCEDURES
BCPs which are open for commercial traffic (updated 6 August 2020):
• Islam Qala BCP (Iran) – importation and exportation is allowed;
• Abo Nasir Farahee BCP (Iran) – importation and exportation is allowed;
• Sherkhan Bandar BCP (Tajikstan) - importation and exportation of goods is allowed with some conditions;
• Takhar BCP (Tajikistan) - importation and exportation is allowed;
• Torghondi BCP (Turkmenistan) – importation of goods is allowed, exportation is not allowed from Afghanistan;
• Andkhoy BCP (Turkmenistan) – importation of goods is allowed, exportation is not allowed from Afghanistan;
• Hairatan BCP (Uzbekistan) – importation and exportation is allowed;
(source: various, 6 August 2020)
At Kabul International Airport, normal exportation and importation is occurring for all-cargo flights.
The following measures apply to some of the Afghan BCPs with Pakistan:
• Torkham border will remain open for 24 hours / six days a week (except Saturday) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade.
• Chaman (Wesh) border will remain open for six days a week (except Saturday) for specified timings (as already notified) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade.
• At the above BCPs, saturdays will be reserved for pedestrian movement as per procedures already in place. Standard Quarantine Protocols / SOPs (as applicable for air passengers) will be implemented for pedestrians as well. • At Ghulam Khan (Khost) BCP border, importation and exportation of goods is allowed with some conditions. Transhipment applies for Afghan trucks and truck spraying procedures apply.
(source: Pakistan Ministry of Interior, 15 May 2020)
Customs which are closed for commercial traffic (updated 6 August 2020): • Pathan (Paktia) BCP (Pakistan) negotiation is ongoing on how to manage import/exports and the BCP remains closed. • Urgon (Paktika) BCP (Pakistan) negotiation is ongoing on how to manage import/exports and the BCP remains closed.
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15.06.2020
COVID-19 [Afghanistan]
Bulletin n°6 – CIQP : 15 June 2020 (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Procedures)
IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS
Customs, land, sea (updated 15 June 2020).
All shared borders with Pakistan are no longer closed; after a period of negotiations between Afghan and Pakistani officials, a solution has been found on how to re-start trade while reducing the spread of COVID-19.
As of 11 April, Torkham and Wesh Border Crossing Points (BCPs) with Pakistan have been opened for three days per week, for transit with special conditions.
These BCPs will re-close if as a result of the re-opening of these points, the spread of COVID-19 is exacerbated.
As of 25 February, the border with Iran has been re-opened, with screening measures in place on the border.
Customs, importation procedure (updated 15 June 2020).
Customs which are open for import (updated 15 May 2020):
At the following BCPs, the importation of goods is allowed but exportation is not allowed from Afghanistan. Trucks are crossing the border with consistency:
• Nemroz BCP (Iran);
• Islam Qala BCP (Iran);
• Abo Nasir Farahee BCP (Iran);
• Sherkhan Bandar BCP (Tajikstan);
• Torghondi BCP (Turkmenistan);
• Andkhoy BCP (Turkmenistan);
• Hairatan BCP (Uzbekistan).
At the following airport, normal exportation and importation is occurring:
• Kabul International Airport (for all-cargo flights)
According to a document published by the Pakistan Ministry of Interior on 15 May 2020, the following measures have been imposed at the Western Border with Afghanistan, relating to Torkham and Chaman (Wesh) BCPs:
• Torkham border will remain open for 24 hours / six days a week (except Saturday) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade.
• Chaman border will remain open for six days a week (except Saturday) for specified timings (as already notified) and unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade.
• Saturdays will be reserved for pedestrian movement only as per procedure already in place. Standard Quarantine Protocols / SOPs (as applicable for air passengers) will be implemented for pedestrians as well.
Customs which are closed for export and import (updated 28 April 2020):
• Pathan (Paktia) BCP (Pakistan);
• Urgon (Paktika) BCP (Pakistan);
• Ghulam Khan (Khost) BCP (Pakistan);
• Takhar BCP (Tajikistan).
In addition, an update on 13 May regarding Customs procedures indicated that nonCOVID-19-related goods from humanitarian partners are impacted by high demand at Customs offices. Also, humanitarian goods to Afghanistan require a ‘Donation letter’ received from donor organization. Based on the Exemption Department of the Afghan Customs Department (ACD), the Exemption procedure will be applied to humanitarian goods in crossing Afghan borders/Customs
Regulations imposed by Pakistani Customs authorities affect cross-border trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan:
• For importation into Afghanistan, cross-border land cargo is only for food and essential items. Rail freight still operational;
• Exportation bans from Pakistan on some medical items apply;
• Cargo shipments (import and export) will be subjected to mandatory inspections.
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28.03.2020
COVID-19 - Mechanisms for transferring trucks at Afghan/Pakistani borders (English) (28 March 2020)
COVID-19 - Mechanisms for transferring trucks at Afghan/Pakistani borders (Dari) (28 March 2020)
Remarks from the International Road Transport Union
18.08.2021
Situation in Afghanistan
IRU has been recently publishing Flash Info updates on border customs offices in Afghanistan temporarily closed for international transit and has called upon its members to instruct TIR transport operators to avoid carrying out TIR operations via those border crossings.
The current situation in Afghanistan is rapidly changing and raising continued security concerns. IRU is constantly monitoring the situation and will continue updating its members. Members are requested to strongly recommend their TIR operators to avoid any TIR transport from, to or via Afghanistan until further notice.
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28.07.2021
Update on Afghanistan border crossings
Below is a list of customs offices in Afghanistan currently closed for international transit under the TIR system due to security issues. Until further notice, we call upon all our members to instruct TIR transport operators to avoid TIR operations from these border crossings.
AFG / TURKMENISTAN
Towrgondi (Hirat)
AFG / IRAN
Islam Qala (Hirat)
Doghroun
Milak
Abo Nasir Farahee
AFG / PAKISTAN
Chaman Border (Spinboldak)
Torkham Border (Jalalabad)
Ghulam KhanWeshPathan (Paktia)
Urgon (Paktika)
AFG / TAJIKISTAN
Sher Khan Bandar
Please be informed that the following customs offices remain open for international transit to date.
AFG / TURKMENISTAN
Andkhoy
AFG / UZBEKISTAN
Hairatan Border (Mazar)
AFG / TAJIKISTAN
Takhar
Source: ACCI
27.07.2021
Please find below the latest status received on this day on the situation at the Afghan crossing points. The source of information is our local association, ACCI (their inputs in red below).
AFG / TURKMENISTAN
1 - Towrgondi (Hirat): closed for international transit under the TIR system
2 – Andkhoy(this border is open for international transit)
AFG / IRAN:
3 - Islam Qala Customs officer (Hirat): closed for international transit under the TIR system
4 – Doghroun : closed for international transit under the TIR system
5 – Milak (this border is not closed but Afghanistan Customs Department don’t allow international transit for Tajikistan because sher khan border is closed under the TIR system )
6 - Abo Nasir Farahee closed for international transit under the TIR system
AFG / PAKISTAN
7 - Chaman Border (Spinboldak): closed for international transit under the TIR system
8 - Torkham Border (Jalalabad): open for international transit under the TIR system
9 - Ghulam Khan : closed for international transit under the TIR system
10 – Wesh: closed for international transit under the TIR system
11 - Pathan (Paktia): closed for international transit under the TIR system
12 - Urgon (Paktika): closed for international transit under the TIR system
AFG / UZBEKISTAN
13 - Hairatan Border (Mazar): (open for international transit )
AFG / TAJIKISTAN
14 - Sher Khan Bandar: closed for international transit under the TIR system
15 - Takhar: (open for international transit )
12.07.2021
Update on Afghanistan border crossing
Due to security issues, the following Customs’ offices have been closed for international transit under the TIR System and national transit (T2 form):
- Towrgondi Customs office at border crossing point between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan
- Islam Qala Customs office at border crossing point between Afghanistan and Iran
Until further notice, we call upon all our members to instruct TIR transport operators to avoid TIR operations from these border crossings.
Source: ACD
11.07.2021
Update on Afghanistan border crossing
Please note that, due to some distress in Afghanistan's borders, as temporary measure . the IRICA has closed its border activity at Dogharoun (IR60500) with Eslam Ghaleh and Mahiroud (IR60604) with Abunasar Farahi. The only border that is active for International road transportation is Milak (IR5105) with Nimrouz.
Source: ICCIMA
08.07.2021
Aqina Customs office at border crossing point between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan is closed for international transit
Afghanistan - Turkmenistan
Due to security issues, Aqina Customs office at border crossing point between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, is closed for international transit under the TIR System and national transit (T2 form).
Until further notice, we call upon all our members to instruct TIR transport operators to avoid TIR operations from this border crossing.
Source: ACCI
24.06.2021
Update on the Sherkhan bandar (port)- border crossing between Afghanistan and Tajikistan
The main border crossing between Afghanistan and Tajikistan – Sherkhan bandar (port) - is under the control of the Taliban since 22 June 2021. Until further notice, we call upon all our members to instruct TIR transport operators to avoid TIR operations from this border crossing.
Source: ACCI
15.02.2021
Afghanistan border crossing with Iran (Dogharun customs office) is closed
Afghanistan - Iran (Islamic republic of)
Following the incident at Islam Qala the customs office of Afghanistan, at border crossing with Iran (Dogharun customs office) on 13 February 2021, this border crossing is closed.
The carriers are called not to use this border crossing and use other two border crossings including Milak and Mahirood (Milak 53) between Iran and Afghanistan.
Source: RMTO- Ministry of Road and Urban Development of I.R.Iran