TheWTOAgreementonTradeFacilitation
GLOBALLYCONNECTEDLOGISTICSIPCSAAnnualConference2017
Brussels,23November2017
AlejandroGamboa-AlderWTO,MarketAccessDivision
Copyright:WorldTradeOrganization.Allrightsreserved
22February2017:theWTOTFAenteredintoforce122ratificationsreceivedfromMembers
31NotificationsinCategoryBand24inCategoryC
Members’tradecostswillbereducedby14.3%Timetoimportgoodswillbereducedbyover1.5daysTimetoexportgoodswillbereducedbyalmost2daysAllinall:areductionof47%and91%,respectively,ofcurrentaveragetime
ObjectiveoftheTFA• InWTOtermsTFcanbeunderstoodas:
Simplification, harmonization, automation of the proceduresapplied to international trade, particularly the requirementsand formalities related to importation and exportation with aview to further expediting the movement, release andclearance of goods, including goods in transit.
• TFA Objective: “… clarify and improve relevant aspects ofArticles V, VIII and X of the GATT” in order to:– Expedite the movement, release and clearance of goods– Improve cooperation between customs agents and other authorities– Enhance technical assistance and capacity building for developing
countries, especially LDCs
HOW DOES THE TFA CUT RED TAPE AT THE BORDER FOR EASIER TRADE?
Article 1Publication & Availability of Information
Article 2Comment and Consultations
Article 3Advance Rulings
Article 4Procedures for Appeal or Review
Article 5Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non-Discrimination & Transparency
Article 6Disciplines on Fees and Charges
Article 7Release and Clearance of Goods
Article 8Border Agency Cooperation
Article 9Movement under Customs Control
Article 10Import, Export &Transit Formalities
Article 11Freedom of transit
Article 12Customs Cooperation
HOW DOES THE TFA CUT RED TAPE AT THE BORDER FOR EASIER TRADE?
EXTENDEDANDENHANCEDTRANSPARENCY:• Publish Information; opportunities to
comment information; advance rulings;inform the carrier/importer in case ofdetention; review/appeal procedures
RELEASE AND CLEARANCE OF GOODS:• Pre-arrival processing; release of goods
prior to final determination of duties,fees and charges; TF measures for AO;expedited release of goods enteredthrough air cargo; prompt release ofperishable goods; acceptance of paper/electronic copies; risk managementsystems for customs control
AUTOMATED PROCEDURES:• Advance lodging of documents in e-forms;
e-payments; e-request for advancedrulings; Single Window; informationthrough internet; use of e-forms; e-requests and e-responses betweencustoms
FEES, FORMALITIES AND PENALTIES:• Fees limited to the cost of services
rendered; penalties imposed only toresponsible persons, commensurate withthe breach and, written explanation.
BORDER AGENCY COOPERATION:• One stop shop
ONTHEWAYTOE-CERTIFICATIONAdditionalworktofacilitateSafeTrade
(bytheStandardsandTradeDevelopmentFacility(STDF))
6
Advantages of electronic certification
Integrity
Efficiency
Security&compliance
Productivity
• Onlineapplicationandprocessing• Fasterprocessingthroughpre-validation• Fasterprocessingcutsclearancetime
• Verydifficulttoforge• Improvedcompliancewithpoliciesandprocedures• Onlineverificationforthirdparties/importingnations
• Singleviewofallrelevantinformation• Searchabledatabasewithallcertificates• Simplemaintenanceofforms
• Electronicallysecuredcertificates• Cross-checkinginrealtime• Singlenationalregisterofcertificates
Extractedfrom:PresentationofJ.Koh(STDFSeminarone-cert),2016
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What is an SPS E- Cert?
E-cert
EXPORTINGCOUNTRYCOMPETENTAUTHORITY
IMPORTINGCOUNTRYCOMPETENTAUTHORITY
CertificationprocessInspectionprocedure,testing,…
ImportproceduresInspection,release,…
Sendingcertificate
Receivingcertificate
Extractedfrom:PresentationofJ.Koh(STDFSeminarone-cert),2016
8
Theauthenticated,non-repudiativeandsecureelectronictransmissionofSPScertificationdata
(includingthecertifyingstatement)fromonecompetentauthoritytoanother
STDFe-Phytoproject(IPP)Objective:Useofaninnovative,costeffectiveandgloballyharmonizedsystemforexchangeofelectronicphytosanitarycertificates
Approach:Simplegenericweb-basedsystemtoproduce,sendandreceiveelectronicphytosanitarycertificates,anddevelopmentofaharmonizedexchangetool
Time-frame:2016-19
Implementation:IPPCSecretariat,FAO
ISPM12,Appendix1:E-phytosanitarycertificates,informationonstandardXMLschemasandexchangemechanisms(2014)
Othere-Initiatives
CODEXCOMMITTEEONFOODIMPORTANDEXPORTINSPECTION(CCFICS):WorkingGrouptoassessandreviewexistingguidanceone-certificationconcerningfoodsafety
OrganisationInternationaledesÉpizooties(OIE):reviewinggapsinstandardsandguidelinesone-certificationconcerninganimal
THEROADAHEAD:ChallengesandNextSteps
FORMEMBERS
• Establish the NationalCommittees on TF
• Review the implementation ofsubstantive provisions
• Developing and least-developedCountries:– Accelerateratification
processes– Implementprovisions
notifiedinCategoryA– Determine type of TA
required, and prepare andsubmit Category B and Cnotifications
PRIVATESTAKEHOLDERS• Createawarenessofcompliance
obligations• Establish/improveRisk
ManagementSystems• EncourageandcoordinateNCTF
participation• Encourageanddevelop
familiaritywiththerequirementstoapplyandbenefitfromTFmeasuresforAOandexpeditedshipments
• Developtoolsandinfrastructuretoadapttoanyfutureadjustments
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