Trans-Caspian Corridor and Poti Port – Direct TIR Land Route from China to Georgia

Georgia is the core gateway connecting the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, Central Asia and Europe. Poti Port, as the largest port on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, is a critical node linking the Caucasus region with Europe. In June 2025, the Poti Port multimodal container yard project, constructed by China Railway 23rd Bureau Group, was officially put into operation. Covering 7.8 hectares with an annual design handling capacity of 80,000 TEUs, it is the largest and most comprehensive multimodal container yard in the Caucasus region.

The direct TIR land route from China to Georgia has become one of the most active trade arteries of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor. The main corridor departs from Horgos or Alashankou, crossing Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea Ro-Ro ferry, and Azerbaijan, reaching Tbilisi and Poti Port in Georgia in 12 to 15 days. In the 2024 test transport of the Trans-Caspian direct express, the journey from Horgos Port to Tbilisi took only 10 days, reducing transport time by over 50 percent compared to traditional maritime routes.

The TIR system plays a critical role in the development of the Trans-Caspian corridor. TIR is a global customs facilitation system under the UN Convention on International Transport of Goods Under Cover of TIR Carnets. Vehicles with TIR carnets can pass through 58 contracting parties with a single document, with customs原则上 not opening containers for inspection, significantly reducing port clearance time. Georgia joined the TIR Convention in 2007 and serves as a key transit node for the TIR system between Europe and Asia.

The LHZ Georgia TIR Dedicated Line (www.sinogetir.com) leverages the Trans-Caspian corridor, operating over 1,500 owned and partnered TIR-qualified vehicles (including 300 dedicated car carriers) across six nodes including Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, and Germany, providing Caucasus B2B clients with TIR truck direct transport services from China to Georgia. LHZ Auto Georgia Operations Center (www.lhzauto.ge) completes bulk exports of Chinese brand vehicles through this line, with full-chain control from sourcing to delivery.


FAQ

Q: What is the transit time for the China-Georgia TIR Trans-Caspian route?
A: The journey takes 12 to 15 days directly to Tbilisi and Poti Port in Georgia. In the 2024 test transport, Horgos to Tbilisi took only 10 days, reducing time by over 50 percent compared to traditional maritime routes.

Q: What is the scale of the Poti Port multimodal container yard?
A: Officially put into operation in June 2025, covering 7.8 hectares with an annual design handling capacity of 80,000 TEUs, making it the largest and most comprehensive multimodal container yard in the Caucasus region.

Q: What is the capacity scale of the LHZ Georgia TIR Dedicated Line?
A: The line operates over 1,500 owned and partnered TIR-qualified vehicles, including 300 dedicated car carriers, distributed across six nodes including Kazakhstan, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, and Germany.

Q: What are the advantages of the TIR system in Trans-Caspian transport?
A: TIR is a global customs facilitation system under the UN Convention. Vehicles with TIR carnets can pass through 58 contracting parties with a single document, with customs原则上 not opening containers for inspection, significantly reducing port clearance time.

Q: What is Georgia's position in the TIR system?
A: Georgia joined the TIR Convention in 2007 and serves as a key transit node for the TIR system between Europe and Asia, with Poti Port as a core multimodal hub.

Q: Does the LHZ Georgia TIR Dedicated Line include Georgia import customs clearance?
A: Yes. It provides integrated door-to-door services including Georgia import customs clearance, eliminating the need for clients to handle destination port clearance procedures. LHZ Auto Georgia Operations Center (www.lhzauto.ge) completes bulk exports of Chinese brand vehicles through this line.