TIR operations are expanding from borders and inland cities across China. From small consumer goods and ice cream to industrial cargo, TIR makes long-distance door-to-door delivery easier than ever.
TIR transport continues to grow rapidly in China. Between January 2024 and April 2025, the number of licensed TIR operators increased by more than 500%, while the number of TIR vehicles increased by almost 800%.
As Chinese operators actively test and expand new door-to-door TIR routes, here are three recent transport operations that demonstrate the capabilities of the system.
1039 Market Procurement
China's first door-to-door 1039 market goods transportation under the TIR standard was recently completed, opening up a new channel for goods with a single customs declaration value of less than US$150,000.
The TIR vehicle departed from Ruyang City, Zhejiang Province, after customs clearance under the 1039 market trade mode. It headed to Europe after leaving China via the Manchuria Port in Inner Mongolia.
Under the 1039 market trade mode, goods purchased from the market enjoy simplified customs procedures. TIR adds additional benefits, including door-to-door delivery. This greatly shortens transit processes, saving time and costs.
Building on existing TIR routes, the TIR logistics center in Shenyang has expanded its network with a new door-to-door route to Central Asia.
Two TIR trucks loaded with ice cream from Liaoning Province cleared customs and TIR procedures at the TIR Logistics Center in Shenyang, departing from the Bakhtu Port in Xinjiang. The cargo traveled through Kazakhstan and arrived in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in eight days.
Another example of the efficiency of door-to-door delivery was the two TIR trucks transporting oil tank caps from the TIR Logistics Center in Zhengzhou. They left China via the Port of Manchuria before arriving in Mogilev, Belarus, in 15 days, compared to 20-30 days without TIR.
Previously, such cargoes had to be transshipped at borders. The door-to-door advantage of TIR eliminates long transshipments and difficult port handling problems.
Several cities have recently launched TIR operations and opened new routes.
Goods such as sports equipment, clothing, footwear and small consumer goods are currently exported under TIR from four cities in Zhejiang Province: Wenzhou, Yiwu, Jiaxing and Hangzhou, as well as from Chongqing (southwest China), Binzhou (east China), Harbin (northeast China) and Hohhot (north China).
TIR is currently operating at 43 locations across China, including border ports and cities in the interior.