Cross-Border Transport Agreement

GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement

The GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) is a compact and comprehensive multilateral instrument that covers all the relevant aspects of cross-border transport facilitation in one document. These include:

1. single-stop/single-window customs inspection
2. cross-border movement of persons (i.e., visas for persons engaged in transport operations)
3. transit traffic regimes, including exemptions from physical customs inspection, bond deposit, escort, and agriculture and veterinary inspection
4. requirements that road vehicles will have to meet to be eligible for cross-border traffic
5. exchange of commercial traffic rights and
6. infrastructure, including road and bridge design standards, road signs, and signals.

The CBTA applies to selected and mutually agreed upon routes and points of entry and exit in the signatory countries. The CBTA includes a preamble and 10 parts, and has 20 annexes and protocols.

The CBTA has entered into force with its ratification by all six GMS member countries in December 2003. Full implementation of the Agreement and its annexes and protocols is expected by 2007/2008.