The CBTA is a single comprehensive legal instrument that includes all of the non-physical measures for cross-border land transport. Under the CBTA, vehicles, drivers, goods and passengers will be allowed to cross national borders through the GMS road transport system.
The Agreement promotes the elimination of intermediary stops or trans-shipment, as well as promoting the reduction in the amount of time spent in crossing borders (link to the CBTA Main Agreement). Increasing the number of border checkpoints that are implementing the CBTA will help maximize the effectiveness of the GMS transport networks. The CBTA complements the existing physical infrastructure of the GMS countries.
Designed in three tiers or components, the CBTA is flexible and highly adaptable to changing needs. The first tier is the main agreement, which contains the core principles of the system. Click here for the CBTA.
The second tier is made up of Annexes that outline the technical details and Protocols that have time and site-related variables. Currently there are 16 Annexes and three Protocols. Click here for Annex I and Annex II. Protocol 1 is the List of Corridors, Routes and Border Crossings, and Associated Map.
The third tier contains bilateral and trilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and detailed implementation arrangements. This structure allows the Annexes and Protocols to be amended so that they can accommodate the expansion of scope and new transport developments.