T1 Transit Document
Last updated: June 14, 2026
- T1 Transit Document allows goods to move under customs control between two points without paying duties at each border
- Primarily used in the EU/EFTA customs transit system, but the concept extends to China's bonded transit system
- Essential for Northeast Asia bonded transit — Japan/Korea goods transit through Qingdao to third countries duty-free
T1 Transit Document is a customs document used for moving goods under customs control between two points within a customs territory (or through bonded transit). It enables goods to transit without paying duties at each border. The concept is essential for Northeast Asia bonded transit through Qingdao — Japan/Korea goods pass through China duty-free en route to Russia, Central Asia, or Europe.
Chinese: T1转关文件 (T1 zhuǎn guān wénjiàn)
T1 in the EU Context
In the EU Common Transit Convention, the T1 procedure applies to non-Union goods (goods not in free circulation in the EU). When a container arrives at Rotterdam from China and needs to move to a warehouse in Switzerland (non-EU), a T1 transit document allows it to travel through Germany without paying EU duties. The T1 is opened at the EU entry point (Rotterdam customs) and closed at the EU exit point (German-Swiss border). A financial guarantee is required to cover potential duties. T2 is used for Union goods; TIR Carnet is the global equivalent.
Practical Example
A Japanese auto parts supplier ships containers to Qingdao. Using China's bonded transit system (the functional equivalent of a T1), the containers move from Qingdao Port to a bonded warehouse without paying Chinese customs duties. From the bonded warehouse, some inventory is shipped by rail to Russia via Manzhouli — still under customs control, still no Chinese duties paid. The goods only incur duties when they enter the Russian domestic market. This Northeast Asia bonded transit corridor, managed by Great Hensen, has handled 3,200+ TEU.
Related Terms
- Bonded Warehousing — storage facility used in bonded transit operations
- FTZ (Free Trade Zone) — zones where goods can be processed under customs control
- DDP — Incoterm where seller handles all customs, including transit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the T1 document the same as a TIR Carnet?
No. T1 is specific to the EU/EFTA customs transit system. TIR Carnet is the global equivalent under the TIR Convention, covering 70+ countries. Both serve the same purpose — moving goods under customs control without duties at each border — but documents differ. T1 is EU-specific; TIR is global.
How does T1 transit work with Northeast Asia bonded transit through Qingdao?
In NE Asia bonded transit, goods from Japan/Korea arrive at Qingdao under customs control. Using a transit document (China's bonded transit system), goods move from Qingdao port to a bonded warehouse duty-free, then re-export to Russia/Central Asia/Europe. We've handled 3,200+ TEU. See our NE Asia bonded transit service.
What are the T1 vs T2 document differences?
In EU customs: T1 applies to non-Union goods (not in free circulation); T2 applies to Union goods (already in free circulation). T1 is far more commonly used in international logistics. In China's bonded transit system, analogous types exist but are managed by the customs broker. See our NE Asia bonded transit case study.
Need Logistics Help?
NE Asia bonded transit specialist — Japan/Korea through Qingdao, duty-free. 3,200+ TEU handled.
Contact Our Team → See Full Glossary →