WTO TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT AND IMPLEMENTING INSTRUMENTS

(Text of the WTO TFA for easy reference)

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ARTICLE

CONVENTIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS AND STANDARDS
GUIDES AND GUIDELINES
1 PUBLICATION AND AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION      
1. Publication

WCO
RKC GA Chapter 9 (9.1-9.3)

WTO
Valuation Agreement Art. 12

WCO
Revised Arusha Declaration

ICC
Customs Guidelines 28, 29, 31

WCO
- Recommendation (2001) on the application of HS Committee Decisions
- Transparency and Predictability Guidelines

2. Information available through internet WCO
RKC GA Chapter 9 (9.1-9.3)
 

WORLD BANK
Developing a Trade Information Portal

WCO
- IT Guide for Executives
- Recommendation (1999) on the Use of World Wide Web sites by Customs administrations 

3. Enquiry Points WCO
RKC GA chapter 9 (9.4-9.93)
 
4. Notification    
2 PRIOR PUBLICATION AND CONSULTATION      
1. Opportunity to comment on new and amended rules WCO
RKC GA Chapter 1 (1.3)
RKC GA Chapter 9 (9.2)

UNECE/UNCEFACT
Recommendation 4 on Trade Facilitation Bodies
Recommendation 33 on Single Window Development
Recommendation 40 on Consultation Approaches
Recommendation 41 on PPP in Trade Facilitation

 

ICC
Customs Guidelines 33

WCO
- Customs-Business Partnership Guidance
- Model Business Lens Checklist for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

2. Consultations WCO
RKC GA Chapter 1 (1.3)
RKC GA Chapter 9 (9.4-9.9)
RKC GA Chapter 7

UNECE/UNCEFACT
Recommendation 40 on Consultation Approaches

WCO
SAFE Framework of Standards Pillar 2

WCO
- Customs-Business Partnership Guidance
- Model Business Lens Checklist for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
3 ADVANCE RULINGS
     
  WCO
RKC GA Chapter 9 (9.9)
 
ICC
Customs Guidelines 43-46

WCO
- Technical Guidelines on Advance Rulings for Classification, Origin and Valuation
- Practical Guidelines for Valuation Control

4 APPEAL OR REVIEW PROCEDURES      
  WCO
RKC GA Chapter 10

WTO
Valuation Agreement Article 11

 
ICC
Customs Guidelines 50-51
5 OTHER MEASURES TO ENHANCE IMPARTIALITY, NON DISCRIMINATION AND TRANSPARENCY      
1. Notifications for enhanced controls or inspections WCO
RKC GA Chapter 6 (6.3-6.7)

OIE
Terrestrial Code Section 2 Risk Management

Codex Alimentarius
- CAC/GL 25-1997- Guidelines for the exchange of information between countries on rejection of imported food
- CAC/GL 47-2003 Guidelines for Food Import Control System

IPPC
- ISPM 1-Phytosanitary principles for the protection of plants and the application of phytosanitary measures in international trade
- ISPM 20 -Guidelines for a phytosanitary import regulatory system

WCO
- Risk Management Compendium
- SW Compendium

 



2. Detention WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.36)
RKC GA Chapter 6 (6.1)
RKC Specific Annex H
Codex Alimentarius
CAC/GL 83-2013 - Principles for the use of sampling and testing in international food trade

WCO
- Risk Management Compendium
- Compendium of Customs Operational Practices for Enforcement and Seizures (COPES)

3. Test Procedure WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.38)
Codex Alimentarius
- CAC/GL 50-2004 - General Guidelines on sampling
- CAC/GL 83-2013 - Principles for the use of sampling and testing in international food trade
- CAC/GL 70-2009 - Guidelines for Settling Disputes on Analytical (Test) Results

IPPC
ISPM 31 - Methodologies for sampling of consignments

WCO
Customs Laboratory Guide
6 DISCIPLINES ON FEES AND CHARGES IMPOSED ON OR IN CONNECTION WITH IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION      
1. General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation. WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.32)
RKC GA Chapter 9 (9.7)
RKC GA Specific Annex A
WCO
Revised Arusha Declaration
2. Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.2, 3.45)
RKC GA Chapter 9 (9.7)
RKC Specific Annex A
WCO
Revised Arusha Declaration
3. Penalty disciplines WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.39, 3.43)
RKC Specific Annex H - Chapter 1
WCO
Voluntary Compliance Framework
7 RELEASE AND CLEARANCE OF GOODS      
1. Pre-arrival processing WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.25)
WCO
SAFE Framework of Standards
ICC
Customs Guidelines 9

WCO
Immediate Release guidelines

2. Electronic payment WCO
RKC GA Chapter 7 (7.1)
  ICC
Customs Guidelines 32
3. Separation of release from final determination and payment of customs duties, taxes, fees and charges WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.13-3.14,3.17,3.40)
RKC GA Chapter 4 (4.9)
RKC GA Chapter 5 (5.1-5.7)
  ICC
Customs Guidelines 15

WCO
Immediate Release guidelines

4. Risk Management WCO
RKC GA Chapter 6 (6.3-6.5)
WCO
SAFE Framework of Standards
ICC
Customs Guidelines 14

WCO
Risk Management Compendium

5. Post clearance audit WCO
RKC GA Chapter 6 (6.6)
WCO
SAFE Framework of Standards
IASB
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

ICC
Customs Guidelines 19

WCO
- Post-Clearance Audit Guidelines
- Diagnostic Tool on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) and Infrastructure
- Implementation Guidance on Post-Clearance Audit
- Risk Management Compendium

6. Establishment and publication of average release times    
WCO
- TRS Guide (Guide to Measure the Time Required for the Release of Goods)
- Customs International Benchmarking  Manual
7. Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.32)
WCO
SAFE Framework of Standards

ICC
Customs Guidelines 19

WCO
- AEO Implementation Guidance
- AEO Compendium
- Model AEO Appeal Procedures
- AEO Benefits: Contribution from the WCO Private Sector Consultative Group
- The Authorized Economic Operator and the Small and Medium Enterprise (FAQ)
- Mutual Recognition Arrangement/Agreement Guidelines
- AEO Template

8. Expedited shipments     WCO
Immediate Release guidelines
9. Perishable Goods WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.34)
Codex Alimentarius
CAC/GL 83-2013 - Principles for the use of sampling and testing in international food trade

IPPC
ISPM 20 -Guidelines for a phytosanitary import regulatory system

8 BORDER AGENCY COOPERATION      
  UNECE
Int'l Convention on Harmonization of Frontier Controls

WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.35)

WCO
- SAFE Framework of Standards Pillar 3
- Data Model
9 MOVEMENT OF GOODS UNDER CUSTOMS CONTROL INTENDED FOR IMPORT      
  WCO
RKC Specific Annex E - Chapter 1
  WCO
Transit Handbook
10 FORMALITIES CONNECTED WITH IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION      
1. Formalities and Documentation Requirements WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.11-3.19)

OIE
Terrestrial Code Chapter 5.1. and 5.2.

Codex Alimentarius
CAC/GL 38-2001 Guidelines for design, production, issuance and use of generic official certificates

IPPC
ISPM 12 Guidelines for phytosanitary certificates

UNECE/UNCEFACT
Recommendation 1 on UN Layout Key
Recommendation 11 on Transport of Dangerous Goods
Recommendation 12 on Maritime Transport Documents
Recommendation 14 on Authentication of Trade Documents
Recommendation 18 on International Trade Procedures
Recommendation 42 on Trade and Transport Facilitation Monitoring

UNNeXT
- BPA Guide
- Guide for the design of aligned documents


2. Acceptance of copies

WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.11-3.19)

UNCITRAL
Convention on electronic communication
  WCO
- Recommendation (2012) on the Dematerialization of Supporting Documents
- IT Guide for Executives

3. Use of international standards WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.11)
RKC GA Chapter 7 (7.2)

Document Alignment:
UNECE/UNCEFACT
Recommendation 1 on UN Layout Key
Recommendation 6 on Aligned Invoice Layout Key
Recommendation 22 on Layout Key for Standard Consignment Instruction

Data Harmonisation:
UNECE/UNCEFACT
Code Lists (Rec 5, Rec 7, Rec 9, Rec 10, Rec 16, Rec 17, Rec 19, Rec 20, Rec 23, Rec 24, Rec 28)
Recommendation 25 on UN/EDIFACT
Recommendation 26 on Electronic Data Interchange
Recommendation 34 on Data Simplification and Standardization

WCO
Data Model

UN/TDED ISO 7372
UN/CCL Core Component Library

WCO
- IT Guide for Executives
- Recommendations- Use of TED,UN/EDIFACT,
- Data Model

4. Single Window WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3

UNECE/UNCEFACT
Recommendation 25 on UN/EDIFACT
Recommendation 26 on Electronic Data Interchange
Recommendation 33 on Single Window Development
Recommendation 34 on Data Simplification and Standardization
Recommendation 35 on Legal framework for Single Window
Recommendation 36 on Single Window Interoperability

WCO
- SAFE Framework of Standards section 5
- Data Model

UNECE
Implementing UN/CEFACT e-Business standards in Agricultural Trade

UNNExT
- Single Window Project Implementation Guide
- Data Harmonisation and Modelling Guide

WCO
- Single Window Compendium
- Single Window Supplement
- Coordinated Border Management Compendium
- IT Guide for Executives

5. Pre-shipment Inspection   UNECE/UNCEFACT
Recommendation 27 on Pre-shipment Inspection
WCO
- Practical Guidelines for Valuation Control
- Guide on termination of inspection contract

6. Use of Customs Brokers WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.6-3.7)
RKC GA Chapter 8 (8.1-8.7)
  ICC
Customs Guidelines 12

WCO
Study Report on Customs Brokers

7. Common Border Procedures and Uniform Document Requirements WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3 (3.7, 3.20)
 
8. Rejected goods WCO
RKC GA Chapter 3,
RKC GA Chapter 4 (4.19)
RKC Specific Annex Chapter 1
 
9. Temporary admission of goods/ inward and outward processing WCO
- Istanbul Convention
- RKC Specific Annex F
- RKC Specific Annex G Chapter 1
- ATA Convention
 
11 FREEDOM OF TRANSIT      
  TIR Convention

UNECE
Int'l Convention on Harmonization of Frontier Controls

WCO
RKC Specific Annex E Chapter 1
RKC Specific Annex E Chapter 2

IPPC
ISPM 25 Consigments in transit
WCO
Transit Handbook



12 CUSTOM COOPERATION      
1. Measures Promoting Compliance and Cooperation     WCO
Voluntary Compliance Framework
2-12. C2C exchange of information for the purposes of verifying goods declarations UNECE
Int'l Convention on Harmonization of Frontier Controls

WCO
- General Annex Chapter 6 - 6.7
- Johannesburg Convention
- Nairobi Convention

 
WCO
Model Bilateral Agreement
23 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS      
2. National Committee on Trade Facilitation  

UNECE/UNCEFACT
Recommendation 4 on Trade Facilitation Bodies
Recommendation 40 on Consultation Approaches: Best Practices in Trade and Government consultation on Trade Facilitation Matters

UNECE
Guide to drafting a National Trade Facilitation Roadmap

ITC, UNECE, UNCTAD
National-Trade-Facilitation-Committees---Moving-towards-implementation