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))

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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

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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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Thank you!

E-mail:alejandro.gamboa@wto.org