Iran: Turkmen transit tariff rise contravenes Int'l Conventions

He told IRNA that 3.5 times increases for transit tariff over the past month for Iranian trucks is contrary with the agreement signed by the two countries as well. 

Karbasian expressed surprise with the Turkmen decision, saying that 10 days ago, Turkmenistan Customs house governor in his visit to Tehran had requested Iran's customs house to work round-the-clock.

He said that Iran Customs House is to accept the request on condition that limitation for shuttling Iranian trucks to Turkmenistan is removed. 

He criticized the Turkmen government for raising the transit tariff without prior consultations with the Iranian economic officials.

Iran had issued goods transit permission from Turkmenistan to other countries upon good faith, so pressure for the transit tariff rise is not on the country, but on shoulder of the destination states like Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.

Karbasian said that the neighboring states of Turkmenistan in reaction to the move have increased their duties as well.

In order to prevent the damage of Iranian transportation companies and decreasing shuttling goods expenses, the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development increases duties and stopped transship in Customs Houses of the country in reaction to Turkmenistan move.

Minister of Roads and Urban Development had already declared that Iranian transportation companies may lodge complaints with international arbitration.

Karbasian added that the Customs House and Ministry of Roads and Urban Development have also lodged complaint with Turkmen Foreign Ministry.