New TF instruments of UNCEFACT, WTO TF

FITPRO Seminar Prague, 14 May 2015

UNCEFACT, WTO TF Agreement and assistance to

the transition economies

Mario Apostolov, Regional Adviser, UNECE Trade mario.apostolov@unece.org

UNECE / UNCEFACT Recommendations

• New Rec. 4: National TF Bodies. Now also art.23.2 of WTO TFAhttp://www1.unece.org/cefact/platform/display/CNP/Revision+of+Recommendation+4+on+National+Trade+Facilitation+Bodies+and+its+guidelines

Standards for Single Window and data harmonizationStandards for Single Window and data harmonization

• Single Window– Rec. 33 http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/cefact/recommendations/rec33/rec33_trd352r.pdf

• Data Harmonization – Rec 34http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/cefact/recommendations/rec34/ECE_TRADE_C_CEFACT_2010_13R_r1.pdf

• Legal issues in Single Window implementation – Rec. 35 http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/cefact/recommendations/rec35/Rec35_october2010_REV2_Final_Russian.pdf

Now also Rec. 36 on Single Window interoperability or interoperability among various inter-organizational information exchange systems along the Supply Chain

Rec 4 National TF Bodies: new revision

• TF ever more important; WTO TFA (art.23.2)

• success factors for establishing NTFB: favorable government policies; dynamic private sector; human and financial resources; private sector; human and financial resources; strong political will.

• NTFB can coordinate all stakeholders to devise a national TF strategy and action plans for TF implementation.

• The new Rec.4: core TF – broader than EDI.

As-Is situation To-Be situation

Continuous change management – Prepare organizational, technical, methodological, competencies, regulatory change throughout the trade modernization effort

Developing and implementing a TF strategy

Current indicators Desired indicators (in 1-5 years)Carry out time

Consultative process – Engage the business community in all steps of the modernization effort

Current indicatorsCost of exporting/importing a containerTime for exporting/importing a containeretc.

Implemented instrumentse.g.Coordinated Border ManagementAdvance rulingRisk Management, Selectivity of controlsetc.

Desired indicators (in 1-5 years)Cut cost of exports/imports by 1/2Cut time of exports/imports by 1/2etc.

Carry out time release study

Business processanalysis

Projects on implementing

TF instruments in the WTO TFA

and others: CBM, AEO, EO..

New instrumentsSimplified and aligned trade documentsCoordinated Border ManagementAuthorised Economic OperatorsSingle Window, Risk Management, Post-clearance audit and controlsetc.

Rec36 SW Interoperability

• Cross-border interoperability of Single Window systems (can be regional – EU)

• G2G - exchange of regulatory data/information

• Can include some B2G transactions• Can include some B2G transactions

• Electronic exchange of data only

• Semantic interoperability: naming and describing things unambiguously

• In UNCEFACT - no reference to any syntax;

Two SW programmes in EU

• Multi-annual Strategic Plan for e-Customs (contains a section on SW): twice establishedWGs to define roles (DG TAXUD)

• Directive 2010/65/EU requiring the establishment of [maritime] «national SW» in each EU Member State with a matitimecoastline by 1 June 2015 (!) (DH MOVE)

Consigneeor importer

Regulatory bodies

B2

G

G 2 G

CargoConsignoror exporter

National

Single Window

Systems of interorganizational

information exchange

Freight forwarderor 3PL

Consignor, exporter, consignee, freight

forwarder

CargoB2

G

G 2 G

B 2 B

Port CommunitySystem

Maritime sector Single Window

Document exchange in the main clearance process in the Port of Odessa (development of the Port Community System)

Statistics of use of the PCS: containers cleared through PPL33-35 by month:

Source: www.singlewindow.org

EEC: WG assigned by the 3 Presidents

WTO TF Agreement, 7 Dec.2013: Structure and content

SECTION ISECTION I

• Substantive Trade Facilitation Rules • (Articles 1 - 12)

SECTION IISECTION IISECTION II

• Special and Differential Treatment provisions• (Articles 13 – 22)

SECTION IIISECTION III

• Institutional Arrangements and Final Provisions• (Articles 23-24)

Measures in the WTO TF AgreementArt. 1.1. Publication of laws, procedures, etc.Art. 1.2. Information available through internetArt. 1.3. Enquiry PointsArt. 1.4. NotificationArt. 2. Opportunity to comment and information before entry into force & consultationArt. 3. Advance rulings Art. 4. Appeal or review procedures Art. 5.1. Notifications for enhanced controls or inspectionsArt. 5. 2. Detention Art. 5. 3. Test procedures Art. 6.1. General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and ExportationArt. 6.2. Specific disciplines on Fees and ChargesArt. 6.3. Penalty DisciplinesArt. 7. Release and Clearance of GoodsArt. 7.1 Pre-arrival ProcessingArt. 7.2. Electronic PaymentArt. 7.4. Risk ManagementArt. 7.4. Risk ManagementArt. 7.5. Post-clearance AuditArt. 7.6. Establishment and Publication of Average Release TimesArt. 7.7. Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized OperatorsArt. 7.8. Expedited ShipmentsArt. 7.9. Perishable GoodsArt. 8. Border Agency CooperationArt. 9. Movement of Goods under Customs Control Intended for ImportArt. 10.1. Formalities and Documentation RequirementsArt. 10.2. Acceptance of CopiesArt. 10.3. Use of International Standards Art. 10.4. Single WindowArt. 10.5. Pre-shipment InspectionArt. 10.6. Use of Customs BrokersArt. 10.7. Common Border Procedures and Uniform Documentation RequirementsArt. 10.8. Rejected GoodsArt. 10.9. Temporary Admission of Goods/Inward and Outward ProcessingArt. 11. Freedom of TransitArt. 12. Customs CooperationArt. 13. Institutional arrangements: Committee on Trade Facilitation

SECTION II: Special and Differential Treatment provisions (Articles 13 – 22)

Substantive Rules Section I

UNECE can help assess readiness

A Category B Category C Category

• Longer timeframe

• Technical Assistance for

implementation

• Longer timeframe

UNECE can help assess readiness(A, B, C) and needs for technical

assistance

http://tfig.unece.org/http://tfig.unece.org/

Thanks !

Trade Facilitation Implementation Guide →

Thanks !Mario Apostolov

Regional Adviser UNECE TradePalais des Nations, Room 431

CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerlandtel.: +41 22 9171134fax: +41 22 9170037

e-mail: mario.apostolov@unece.org

www.unece.org/trade & www.unece.org/cefact