2.3 Tunisia Road Network

2.3 Tunisia Road Network

The Law n ° 86-172 of March 17, 1986 classifies all roads, road communications belonging to the public domain of the State, with the exception of military roads, in one of the following three categories:

  • The national roads (RN ط و), known as “long distance” (GP) roads in the old nomenclature replaced in 2000, cover long axes generally crossing several Tunisian governorates.
  • Secondary roads, covering regional axes with less traffic, are called "regional roads" (RR ط ج) or medium communication roads (MC) form the local road network of each governorate.

From 1997 up today, the paved road network had 12,264 kilometers, an increase of more than 52.8% in 24 years. the entire road network totaled 32,332 km, of which approximately 12,600 km were rural roads for agricultural purposes, of which only 1,460 km were paved; the average density is then 0.12 km / km².

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Tunisia Government Contact List.

Distance Matrix

Distances from Capital City to Major Towns (km)


TUNIS

Sfax

Sousse 

Kairouan 

Bizerte 

Gabes 

Monastir 

Gafsa 

TUNIS


273.92

149.15

160.6

71.17

407.99

170.29

359.81

 Sfax

273.92


139.61

175.11

341.52

138.88

123.8

129.99

Sousse 

149.15

139.61


55.57

216.78

274.21

22.7

259.17

Kairouan 

160.6

175.11

55.57


229.43

214.64

66.68

202,23

Bizerte

71.17

341.52

216.78

229.43


476

238.3

427.82

Gabès 

407.99

138.88

274.21

214.64

476


258.4

156.86

Monastir 

170.29

123.8

 22.7

66.68

238.3

258.4


267.71

 Gafsa

359.81

129.99

259.17

202.23

427.82

156.86

267.71


https://distancecalculator.globefeed.com/Tunisia_Distance_Calculator.asp

Road Security

Tunisia is the second deadliest country in the Maghreb region. Traffic accidents today represent the fifth cause of death in this country, or 3.3% of all deaths reported. The National Road Safety Observatory announced around 1,800 deaths on Tunisian roads in 2019.

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits

Knowledge and control of the weights and dimensions of heavy goods vehicles in traffic is necessary for public authorities and infrastructure managers, both for reasons of management of these infrastructures and of compliance with the limits imposed.

Weighing vehicles on the road helps to address this problem. The use of this is also an obligation established by the new version of Directive 96/53 / EC. It traditionally uses sensors on the road which count, measure and weigh the vehicles crossing them. This solution is currently used in France by the national network of weighing equipment in motion (EPM). However, another solution exists, weighing by instrumented bridge, which consists of measuring the deformations of a bridge when heavy goods vehicles pass through and deducing their weights and dimensions.

Link of Road code in Tunisia

Axle load limits

Tunisia

Algeria

Morocco

Truck with 2 axles

17 MT

 17 MT

17 MT

Truck with 3 axles

26.5 MT

27 MT

26 MT

Truck with 4 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Semi-trailer with 3 axles

26.5 MT

27 MT

26 MT

Semi-trailer with 4 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Semi-trailer with 5 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Semi-trailer with 6 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Truck & drawbar trailer with 4 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Truck & drawbar trailer with 5 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Truck & drawbar trailer with 6 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Truck & drawbar trailer with 7 axles

44 MT

45 MT

40 MT

Road Class and Surface Conditions

Although of adequate quality and benefiting from a coherent layout, the road network has to face serious congestion problems in certain sections with a concentration of traffic between and in the main agglomerations of the country. The motorway program, started in the early 1980s, has tended to accelerate since the 2000s by favoring the north-south and east-west axes within the framework of the Maghreb network.


2.3.1 Tunisia Border Crossing of Ras Jedir (Libya)

Overview

Ras Jedir is the main border between Tunisia and Libya. Most of the humanitarian aids and commercial shipments between Tunisia and Libya go through Ras Jedir border. 

From Tunisian side, there are the customs office and Tunisian National Tourist Office in place. The free zone and the port are 78 km far from the border, and different facilities such as weighbridge scale and fuel station are available around.  From Libyan Side: the custom office available to facilitate and organize the custom clearance process at the border. 

The facilities such as weighbridge scale, fuel stations are available in Zintan (Libya).  The main challenges that might impede the influx of the goods are:

  • The border closure every now and then due to security issues in Libya, or admin issues in both sides. 
  • The unclear/conflict custom clearance procedures at the Libyan side.   

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Crossing

Ras Ajdir/ Tunisia-Libya

Province or District

Ben Gardane-Medenine (Tunisia) 

Nuqat al Khams (Libya)

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing


Zarzis, Tunisia: 78 km

Zwarah, Libya: 60 km

Latitude

33.147630

Longitude

11.558519

Managing Authority / Agency

Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tunisia) 

Government of National Accord (Libya)

Contact Person

Tunisian Ministry of Transport

13 Rue Borjine 1073 – Montplaisir

(71) 905-026

(71) 901-559

boc@transport.state.tn

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport

Djerba-Zarzis International Airport (Tunisia)  

Distance in km: 140 km 

Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs 

Car Travel time:24 hrs 


Tripoli International Airport (Libya)  

Distance in km: 175 km 

Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs 

Car Travel time:24 hrs 

Nearest Port

Zarzis Port (Tunisia) 

Distance in km:78 km 

Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs 

Car Travel time: 24 hrs 


Zwarah (Libya)  

Distance in km: 60 km 

Truck Travel Time: 24hrs 

Car Travel time: 24hrs 

Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity

Name Zarzis (Tunisia) 

Distance in km:78 km 

Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs 

Car Travel time: 24 hrs 

  

Name Zwarah (Libya) 

Distance in km: 60 km 

Truck Travel Time: 24hrs 

Car Travel time: 24hrs 

Other Information

N/A

Hours of Operation

Mondays

7 am - 7 pm

Tuesdays

7 am - 7 pm

Wednesdays

7 am - 7 pm

Thursdays

7 am - 7 pm

Fridays

Off (Libya), unless it’s emergency cargo 

Saturdays

7 am - 7 pm

Sundays

Off (Tunisia), unless it’s emergency cargo 

National Holidays

Off unless it’s emergency cargo 

Seasonal Constraints

N/A

Daily Capacity

As Ras Ajdir is the main border between Tunisia and Libya so it is congested with many commercial and humanitarian trucks, in addition to the movement of passengers travelling by private and Taxi cars. Although the border is organised by separating the lanes between trucks and cars, in normal situation the custom can release up to 70 trucks daily, and the priority is given to the humanitarian shipments, but still in case of extreme overcrowding, even the trucks loaded with humanitarian aids are subject to stuck at the border for few days.   

Customs Clearance

Based on the Custom Department in Tunisia and Libya, the following documents are required to clear the goods at the borders: 

Exporting or re-exporting documents from Tunisia to Libya are required.   

Other related documents:

  • Copy of the B/L 
  • Copy of certificate of origin. 
  • Copy of Packing list. 
  • Copy of Certificate of origin. 
  • Copy of Certificate of analysis 
  • Samples taken for analysis.  
  • Documents to prove that the commodities are used for humanitarian relief. 

However, and due to bureaucracy and number of checkpoints affiliated to different groups/authorities, we can sometimes expect delay at the borders.  

All goods will be inspected at the border and samples will be taken for analysis, but generally this process is done swiftly and don’t take time. 

Humanitarian aid is exempted from the custom fees; they just pay nominal amount as administrative expenses. While the commercial trucks pay roughly between 100-200 LD (depending on the size and type of the cargo). 

For more information on customs in Tunisia, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.   

Other Relevant Information

In general, if the clearance documents were ready, the custom clearance process would be finalized in few hours (unless the border is overcrowded). In some cases, and especially for humanitarian aids the custom clearance process might be conducted out of working hours and on the weekend or holidays.  

 There are many items that are not allowed to be imported inside Libya such as: 

  • Alcoholic beverages 
  • Pork meat
  • Any goods made in Israel

And there is restriction in importing IT and telecommunication equipment from abroad. There no clear regulation but the humanitarian organizations have experienced difficulties in importing such equipment. This border was and still used for smuggling goods between the two countries (especially fuel from Libya to Tunisia), so if there is a suspicion of smuggling, then the trucks and cars are subject to a stricter inspection. There are many checkpoints controlled by different groups, along the way to the final distention. These check points impede and delay the movement of the trucks.   

Picture of Ras Jedjir


For more information on government contact details, please see the following Tunisian customs Official website link

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Tunisia Government Contact List.


2.3.2 Tunisia Border Crossing of Dehiba (Libya)

Overview

The Dehiba-Wazin border crossing is the secondary crossing between Tunisia and Libya. It is normally used when the Ras Ajdir border is closed or to deliver items directly to southern Libya. The main challenges that might impede the influx of the items are: 

  • The border crossing is under construction project for its improvement, but is open. The Ministry of Transport, Equipment and Logistics has mentioned that the works should be finalized before the end of 2021. There is high presence of military positions both sides due to security issues in Libya. 
  • There is custom clearance procedures at the both sides.  

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Crossing


Dehiba (Tunisia)

Wazin (Libya)

Province or District

Tatahouine (Tunisia) 

Nalut (Libya) 

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing


Tataouine:130 km far from the border (Tunisia) 

 Nalut: 54 km far from the border (Libya) 

Latitude

31.975668

Longitude

10.683834

Managing Authority / Agency

Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tunisia)

Government of National Accord (Libya)

Contact Person

Tunisian Ministry of Transport

13 Rue Borjine 1073 – Montplaisir

(71) 905-026, (71) 901-559

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport

Djerba-Zarzis International Airport (Tunisia)

Distance in km: 268  

Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs 

Car Travel time: 24 hrs 

  

Tripoli International Airport (Libya)

Distance in km: 287  

Truck Travel Time: 24hrs 

Car Travel time:24 hrs 

Nearest Port

Zarzis Port (Tunisia) 

Distance in km: 255.4 km  

Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs 

Car Travel time: 24 hrs 

  

 Tripoli Port (Libya) 

Distance in km: 287 km  

Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs 

Car Travel time: 24 hrs 

Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity

Tataouine (Tunisia) and Nalut (Libya). 

Truck Travel Time: 24hrs 

Car Travel time: 24hrs 

Other Information

N/A

Hours of Operation

Mondays

7am-7pm 

Tuesdays

7am-7pm 

Wednesdays

7am-7pm 

Thursdays

7am-7pm 

Fridays

Off (Libya) unless its an emergency

Saturdays

7am-7pm 

Sundays

Off (Tunisia) unless its an emergency

National Holidays

Off unless its an emergency

Seasonal Constraints

N/A

Daily Capacity

As this is a secondary border, so it is normally not crowded with cars or trucks unless if Ras Ajdir border is closed.  The border is organized with different lanes for trucks and cars, and in normal situation the custom can release up to 70 trucks daily. The priority is given generally to the humanitarian shipments, but in case of extreme overcrowding, which is rarely, happens in this border, even the trucks loaded with humanitarian aids are subject to stuck at the border for few days.   

 

Customs Clearance

Based on the Custom Department in Tunisia and Libya, the following documents are required to clear the goods at the borders. Exporting or re-exporting documents from Tunisia to Libya are required.   

Other related documents: 

  • Copy of the B/L 
  • Copy of certificate of origin.
  • Copy of packing list. 
  • Copy of Certificate of origin. 
  • Copy of Certificate of analysis 
  • Samples taken for analysis.  
  • Documents to prove that the commodities are used for humanitarian relief.  

 All goods will be inspected at the border and samples will be taken for analysis, but generally this process is done swiftly and don’t take time. Humanitarian aids are exempted from the custom fees; they just pay nominal amount as administrative expenses. While the commercial trucks pay roughly between 100-200 LD (depending on the size and type of the cargo). 

For more information on customs in Tunisia, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.  

 

Other Relevant Information

In general, if the clearance documents were ready, the custom clearance process would be finalized in few hours (unless the border is overcrowded)

 In some cases, and especially for humanitarian aids the custom clearance process might be conducted out of working hours and on the weekend or holidays.  

 There are many items that are not allowed to be imported inside Libya such as: 

  • Alcoholic Beverages 
  • Pork Meat
  • Any goods made in Israel 

There are restrictions on importing IT and telecommunication equipment from abroad. There no clear regulation but the humanitarian organizations have experienced difficulties in importing such equipment. 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.


2.3.3 Tunisia Border Crossing of Oum Teboul (Algeria)

Overview

Oum Teboul is the main border between Tunisia and Algeria. The border Haddada (Oum Teboul, El Kala), Oum Teboul is a village located in the commune of Souarekh (of which it is the capital), in the Wilaya of El Tarff, in Algeria, it is located 10 km to the Tunisian border.

From the Tunisian side, there are the customs office and Tunisian National Tourist Office in place. The free zone and the port are 78 km far from the border, and different facilities such as weighbridge scale and fuel station are available around.  From the Algerian side, the custom office available to facilitate and organize the custom clearance process at the border. 160,000 passengers took this route during July 2018.

On the other hand, the border post of El Aïoun (El Kala, El Tarf), located 15 km south of that of Oum Teboul. equipped with the device of "autopassage", rather commercial, it is less used by trucks and passengers who still have to ignore that the Tunis-Ghardimaou highway has been open since November 2016 in Bou Salem, between Djendouba and Béja, only 70 km from the border, which also reduces and improves the route to Tunis via El Aïoun, Aïn Draham. It to note that regulars at border crossings advise against showing up between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. to avoid the long line of cars and trucks.

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Crossing

Oum Teboul/ Tunisia-Algeria

Province or District

Douar Sidi Salah Ben Hassine (Tunisia)

El Tarff (Algeria)

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing


Ain Draham: 39.7 km (Tunisia)  

Latitude

36.914335

Longitude

8.650395

Managing Authority / Agency

Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tunisia) 

Government of National Accord (Libya)

Contact Person

Tunisian Ministry of Transport

13 Rue Borjine 1073 – Montplaisir

(71) 905-026 / (71) 901-559

boc@transport.state.tn


Algerian side: Résidence Chabani-Val d’Hydra 16 033 – Alger
Tél : +213 21 60 12 95
Fax : +213 21 60 64 75
Email : contact@buaa.dz

+213(0)21 98480

Travel Times

Nearest International Airport

Ain Draham Tabarka Airport (Tunisia)  

Distance in km: 39.7 km 

Truck Travel Time: 2 hrs 

Car Travel time:1 hrs 


Alger - Houari Boumediene International Airport (Algeria)  

Distance in km: 627 km 

Truck Travel Time: 9h 15 min

Car Travel time: 7h 31 min

Nearest Port

Rades Port (Tunisia) 

Distance in km: 233 km 

Truck Travel Time: 3h 4 min 

Car Travel time: 5 hrs 

Alger Port (Algeria)

Distance in km: 641 km 

Truck Travel Time: 7h 45 min 

Car Travel time: 4 hrs 

Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity

Tabarka (Tunisia) 

Distance in km: 14.7 km 

Truck Travel Time: 35 minutes 

Car Travel time: 20 minutes 

El Tarf (Algeria) 

Distance in km: 44.5 km 

Truck Travel Time: 1h 30 min 

Car Travel time: 56 min

Other Information

N/A

Hours of Operation

Mondays

7 am - 7 pm

Tuesdays

7 am - 7 pm

Wednesdays

7 am - 7 pm

Thursdays

7 am - 7 pm

Fridays

Off (Algeria), unless it’s emergency cargo 

Saturdays

7 am - 7 pm

Sundays

Off (Tunisia), unless it’s emergency cargo 

National Holidays

Off unless it’s emergency cargo

Seasonal Constraints

N/A

Daily Capacity

As Oum Teboul is the main border between Tunisia and Algeria so it is congested with many commercial movements, in addition to the movement of passengers travelling by private and Taxi cars. Although the border is organized by separating the lanes between trucks and cars, in normal situation the custom can release up to 200 cars and 60 trucks daily, and the priority is given to the private business passengers, but still in case of extreme overcrowding and protocols ( papers crossing), even cars and trucks loaded can stuck subject to stuck at the border for few days.   

 

Customs Clearance

Based on the Custom Department in Tunisia and Algeria, the following documents are required to clear the goods at the borders: 

Exporting or re-exporting documents from Tunisia to Algeria are required.   

Other related documents:

  • Copy of the B/L 
  • Copy of certificate of origin. 
  • Copy of Packing list. 
  • Copy of Certificate of origin. 
  • Copy of Certificate of analysis 
  • Samples taken for analysis.  
  • Documents to prove that the commodities are used for humanitarian relief. 

All goods will be inspected at the border and samples will be taken for analysis, but generally this process is done swiftly and don’t take time. 

Humanitarian aid is exempted from the custom fees; they just pay nominal amount as administrative expenses. While the commercial trucks pay roughly between 100-200 LD (depending on the size and type of the cargo). 

For more information on customs in Algeria, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.  

 

Other Relevant Information

In general, if the clearance documents were ready, the custom clearance process would be finalized in few hours (unless the border is overcrowded),  

 In some cases, and especially for humanitarian aids the custom clearance process might be conducted out of working hours and on the weekend or holidays.  

 There are many items that are not allowed to be imported inside Algeria such as: 

  • Alcoholic Beverages 
  • Pork Meat

There is restriction in importing IT and telecommunication equipment from abroad. There no clear regulation but the humanitarian organizations have experienced difficulties in importing such equipment. This border was and still used for smuggling goods between the two countries (especially fuel from Algeria to Tunisia), so if there is a suspicion of smuggling, then the trucks and cars are subject to a stricter inspection.  There are many checkpoints controlled by different groups, along the way to the final distention. These check points impede and delay the movement of the trucks.   

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link:  4.1 Government Contact List.