{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2009-477/annex/annex-2",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2009-477/annex/annex-2.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2009/477",
  "legislation_title": "Council Decision of 28 May 2009 publishing in consolidated form the text of the Customs Convention on the international transport of goods under cover of TIR carnets (TIR Convention) of 14 November 1975 as amended since that date (2009/477/EC)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2009-477",
  "path": "annex/annex/2",
  "kind": "appendix",
  "number": "ANNEX 2",
  "heading": "REGULATIONS ON TECHNICAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ROAD VEHICLES WHICH MAY BE ACCEPTED FOR INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT UNDER CUSTOMS SEAL",
  "text": "Basic principles\nArticle 1 Approval for the international transport of goods under Customs seal may be granted only to vehicles, the load compartments of which are constructed and equipped in such a manner that:\n(a) no goods can be removed from or introduced into, the sealed part of the vehicle without leaving obvious traces of tampering or without breaking the Customs seal;\n(b) Customs seals can be simply and effectively affixed to them;\n(c) they contain no concealed spaces where goods may be hidden;\n(d) all spaces capable of holding goods are readily accessible for Customs inspection.\nStructure of load compartments\nArticle 2 1. To meet the requirements of Article 1 of these Regulations:\n(a) the constituent parts of the load compartment (sides, floor, doors, roof, uprights, frames, cross-pieces, etc.) shall be assembled either by means of devices which cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obvious traces or by such methods as will produce a structure which cannot be modified without leaving obvious traces. When the sides, floor, doors and roof are made up of various components, these shall meet the same requirements and be of sufficient strength;\n(b) doors and all other closing systems (including stopcocks, manhole-covers, flanges etc.) shall be fitted with a device on which Customs seals can be fixed. This device must be such that it cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obvious traces, or the door or fastening be opened without breaking the Customs seals. The latter shall be adequately protected. Opening roofs shall be permitted;\n(c) apertures for ventilation and drainage shall be provided with a device preventing access to the interior of the load compartment. This device must be such that it cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obvious traces.\n2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 1(c) of these Regulations, constituent parts of the load compartment which, for practical reasons, have to include empty spaces (for example, between the partitions of a double wall) shall be permitted. In order that the said spaces cannot be used to conceal goods:\n(i) where it covers the full height from floor to roof, or, in other cases, where the space between it and the outer wall is completely enclosed, the lining inside the load compartment shall be so fitted that it cannot be removed and replaced without leaving obvious traces; and\n(ii) where a lining is of less than full height and the spaces between the lining and the outer wall are not completely enclosed, and in all other cases where spaces occur in the construction of a load compartment, the number of such spaces shall be kept to a minimum and these spaces shall be readily accessible for Customs inspection.\n3. Windows shall be allowed provided that they are made of materials of sufficient strength and that they cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obvious traces. Glass may nevertheless be permitted, but if glass other than safety glass is used, the windows shall be fitted with a fixed metal grille which cannot be removed from the outside; the mesh of the grille shall not exceed 10 mm.\n4. Openings made in the floor for technical purposes, such as lubrication, maintenance and filling of the sand-box, shall be allowed only on condition that they are fitted with a cover capable of being fixed in such a way as to render the load compartment inaccessible from the outside.\nSheeted vehicles\nArticle 3 1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1 and 2 of these Regulations shall apply to sheeted vehicles. In addition, these vehicles shall conform to the provisions of this Article.\n2. The sheet shall be either of strong canvas or of plastic-covered or rubberised cloth, which shall be of sufficient strength and unstretchable. It shall be in good condition and made up in such a way that once the closing device has been secured, it is impossible to gain access to the load compartment without leaving obvious traces.\n3. If the sheet is made up of several pieces, their edges shall be folded into one another and sewn together with two seams at least 15 mm apart. These seams shall be made as shown in sketch No 1 appended to these Regulations; however, where in the case of certain parts of the sheet (such as flaps and reinforced corners) it is not possible to assemble the pieces in that way, it shall be sufficient to fold the edge of the top section and make the seams as shown in sketches Nos 2 or 2(a) appended to these Regulations. One of the seams shall be visible only from the inside and the colour of the thread used for that seam shall be clearly different from the colour of the sheet itself and from the colour of the thread used for the other seam. All seams shall be machine-sewn.\n4. If the sheet is of plastic-covered cloth, and is made up of several pieces, the pieces may alternatively be welded together in the manner shown in sketch No 3 appended to these Regulations. The edges of the pieces shall overlap by at least 15 mm. The pieces shall be fused together over the whole width of the overlap. The edge of the outer sheet shall be covered with a band of plastic material at least 7 mm wide, affixed by the same welding process. The plastic band and the sheet on each side of it for a width of at least 3 mm shall have a clearly-defined uniform relief pattern stamped on them. The pieces shall be welded in such a way that they cannot be separated and rejoined without leaving obvious traces.\n5. Repairs shall be made in accordance with the method described in sketch No 4 appended to these Regulations; the edges shall be folded into one another and sewn together with two visible seams at least 15 mm apart; the colour of the thread visible from the inside shall be different from that of the thread visible from the outside and from that of the sheet itself; all seams shall be machine-sewn. When a sheet which has been damaged near the edges is repaired by replacing the damaged part by a patch, the seam can also be made in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Article and sketch No 1 appended to these Regulations. Sheets of plastic-covered cloth may alternatively be repaired in accordance with the method described in paragraph 4 of this Article, but in that case the plastic band must be affixed to both sides of the sheet, the patch being fitted on the inside of the sheet.\n6. The sheet shall be fixed to the vehicle in strict compliance with the conditions set forth in Article 1(a) and (b) of these Regulations. The following systems can be used:\n(a) The sheet can be secured by:\n(i) metal rings fixed to the vehicles,\n(ii) eyelets let into the edge of the sheet, and\n(iii) a fastening passing through the rings above the sheet and visible from the outside for its entire length.\nThe sheet shall overlap solid parts of the vehicle by at least 250 mm, measured from the centre of the securing rings, unless the system of construction of the vehicle in itself prevents all access to the load compartment.\n(b) When any edge of a sheet is to be permanently secured to a vehicle, the two surfaces shall be joined together without a break and shall be held in place by strong devices.\n(c) When a sheet locking system is used it shall in locked position join the sheet tightly to the outside of the load compartment (as an example see sketch No 6).\n7. The sheet shall be supported by an adequate superstructure (uprights, sides, arches, slats, etc.).\n8. The spaces between the rings and the spaces between the eyelets shall not exceed 200 mm. The spaces may however be greater but shall not exceed 300 mm between rings and eyelets on either side of the upright if the construction of the vehicle and the sheet is such as to prevent all access to the load compartment. The eyelets shall be reinforced.\n9. The following fastenings shall be used:\n(a) steel wire ropes of at least 3 mm diameter; or\n(b) ropes of hemp or sisal of at least 8 mm diameter encased in a transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic; or\n(c) ropes consisting of batches of fibre-optic lines inside a spirally wound steel housing encased in a transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic; or\n(d) ropes comprising a textile cord surrounded by at least four strands consisting solely of steel wire and completely covering the core, under the condition that the roper (without taking into account the transparent sheath, if any) are not less than 3 mm in diameter.\nRopes in accordance with paragraph 9(a) or (d) of this Article may have a transparent sheath of unstretchable plastic.\nIn cases where the sheet has to be fixed to the frame in a system of construction which otherwise complies with the provisions of paragraph 6(a) of this Article, a thong can be used as fastening (an example of such a system of construction is given in sketch No 7 appended to this Annex). The thong has to comply with the requirements stipulated in paragraph 11(a)(iii) with regard to material, dimensions and shape.\n10. Each rope shall be in one piece and have a hard metal end-piece at each end. Each metal end-piece shall allow the introduction of the thread or strap of the Customs seal. The fastener of each metal end-piece of ropes in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 9(a), (b) and (d) of this Article shall include a hollow rivet passing through the rope so as to allow the introduction of the thread or strap of the Customs seal. The rope shall remain visible on either side of the hollow rivet so that it is possible to ensure that the rope is in one piece (see sketch No 5 appended to these Regulations).\n11. At the openings in the sheet, used for loading and unloading, the two surfaces shall be joined together. The following systems can be used:\n(a) The two edges of the sheet shall have an adequate overlap. They shall also be fastened by:\n(i) a flap sewn or welded in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article,\n(ii) rings and eyelets meeting the conditions of paragraph 8 of this Article, the rings shall be manufactured of metal, and\n(iii) a thong made of appropriate material, in one piece and unstretchable, at least 20 mm wide and 3 mm thick, passing through the rings and holding together the two edges of the sheet and the flap; the thong shall be secured inside the sheet and fitted either with:\nan eyelet to take the rope mentioned in paragraph 9 of this Article, or,\nan eyelet which can be attached to a metal ring mentioned in paragraph 6 of this Article and be secured by the rope mentioned in paragraph 9 of this Article.\nA flap shall not be required if a special device, such as a baffle plate, is fitted, which prevents access to the load compartment without leaving obvious traces. Neither shall a flap be required for vehicles with sliding sheets.\n(b) A special locking system holding the edges of the sheets tightly locked when the load compartment is closed and sealed. The system shall be provided with an opening through which a metal ring mentioned in paragraph 6 of this Article can pass and be secured by the rope mentioned in paragraph 9 of this Article. Such a system is described in sketch No 8 appended to this Annex.\nVehicles with sliding sheets\nArticle 4 1.. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1, 2 and 3 of these Regulations shall apply to vehicles with sliding sheets. In addition, these vehicles shall conform to the provisions of this Article.\n2.. The sliding sheets, floor, doors and all other constituent parts of the load compartment shall fulfil either the requirements in Article 3, paragraphs 6, 8, 9 and 11 of these Regulations or the requirements set out in (i) to (vi) below.\n(i) The sliding sheets, floor, doors and all other constituent parts of the load compartment shall be assembled either by means of devices which cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obvious traces, or by such methods as will produce a structure which cannot be modified without leaving obvious traces.\n(ii) The sheet shall overlap the solid parts at the top of the vehicle by at least 1/4 of the actual distance between the tensioning straps. The sheet shall overlap the solid parts at the bottom of the vehicle by at least 50 mm. The horizontal opening between the sheet and the solid parts of the load compartment may not exceed 10 mm measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle at any place when the load compartment is secured and sealed for Customs purposes.\n(iii) The sliding sheet guidance, sliding sheet tension devices and other movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that when closed, and Customs sealed, doors and other movable parts cannot be opened or closed from the outside without leaving obvious traces. The sliding sheet guidance, sliding sheet tension devices and other movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that it is impossible to gain access to the load compartment without leaving obvious traces once the closing devices have been secured. An example of such a system of construction is given in sketch No 9 appended to these Regulations.\n(iv) The horizontal distance between the rings, used for Customs purposes, on the solid parts of the vehicle shall not exceed 200 mm. The space may, however, be greater but shall not exceed 300 mm between the rings on either side of the upright if the construction of the vehicle and the sheets is such as preventing all access to the load compartment. In any case, the conditions laid down in (ii) above shall be complied with.\n(v) The distance between the tensioning straps shall not exceed 600 mm.\n(vi) The fastenings used to secure the sheets to the solid parts of the vehicle shall fulfil the requirements in Article 3, paragraph 9 of these Regulations.\nVehicles with a sheeted sliding roof\nArticle 5 1. Where applicable, the provisions of Articles 1, 2, 3 and 4 of these Regulations shall apply to vehicles with a sheeted sliding roof. In addition, these vehicles shall conform to the provisions of this Article.\n2. The sheeted sliding roof shall fulfil the requirements set out in (i) to (iii) below.\n(i) The sheeted sliding roof shall be assembled either by means of devices which cannot be removed and replaced from the outside without leaving obvious traces, or by such methods as will produce a structure which cannot be modified without leaving obvious traces.\n(ii) The sliding roof sheet shall overlap with the solid part of the roof at the front side of the load compartment, so that the roof sheet cannot be pulled over the top edge of the upper cantrail. In the length of the load compartment, at both sides, in the hem of the roof sheet, a pre-stressed steel cable shall be inserted in such a way that it cannot be removed and re-inserted without leaving obvious traces. The roof sheet shall be secured to the sliding carriage in such a way that it cannot be removed and re-secured without leaving obvious traces.\n(iii) The sliding roof guidance, the sliding roof tension devices and other movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that when closed, and Customs sealed, doors, roof and other movable parts cannot be opened or closed from the outside without leaving obvious traces. The sliding roof guidance, sliding roof tension devices and other movable parts shall be assembled in such a way that it is impossible to gain access to the load compartment without leaving obvious traces once the closing devices have been secured.\nAn example of a possible system of construction is shown in sketch No 10, appended to these Regulations.\nSketch No 1\nSHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES SEWN TOGETHER\nSketch No 2\nSHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES SEWN TOGETHER\nSketch No 2 (a)\nSHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES SEWN TOGETHER\nSketch No 3\nSHEET MADE OF SEVERAL PIECES WELDED TOGETHER\nSketch No 4\nREPAIR OF THE SHEET\nSketch No 5\nEXAMPLE OF END-PIECE\nSketch No 6\nEXAMPLE OF SHEET LOCKING SYSTEM\nSketch No 7\nEXAMPLE OF SHEETS FIXED TO SPECIAL-SHAPED FRAME\nSketch No 8\nSHEET LOCKING SYSTEM AT OPENINGS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING\nSketch No 9\nEXAMPLE OF A CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH SLIDING SHEETS\nSketch No 9 continued\nSketch No 9 continued:\nSketch No 10\nEXAMPLE OF A CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICLE WITH A SHEETED SLIDING ROOF\nSketch No 10 continued:\nSketch No 10 continued:",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Substituted by Amendment to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods Under the Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975)."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Inserted by Amendment to the Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods Under the Cover of TIR Carnets (TIR Convention, 1975)."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2009/477/annex/annex/2",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:16:28.167573+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}