Single Window interoperability

In order to meet the requirements of an international supply chain it would be necessary to look beyond national borders and national domains of a Single Window. Cross-border cooperation and data exchange is getting more attention to reduce cross-border trade barriers.

It is now understood that Single Windows should facilitate cross-border electronic data exchange. In 2017, UNECE has adopted a Recommendation on Single Window Interoperability, the UNECE Recommendation 36.

Cross-border exchange is a challenging task as it presupposes interconnectivity and interoperability of national Single Windows, data harmonisation and the existence of a legal framework for the data exchange. The reality however is that national Single Windows use different IT technology and architecture, and data and messages are not frequently standardised across the border.

According to the UNECE Recommendation 36 interoperability is understood as the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange and use information across borders without additional effort on the port of users.

Single Window Interoperability would ensure that trade related information can be utilized by governments in different countries for their import, export and transit procedures. This would support regional integration, namely centralised clearance, pre-arrival risk analysis based on export related information, advance security declarations, and cross-border law enforcement cooperation namely targeted inspections of illicit activity.

The requirements for Single Window Interoperability are:

• Legal agreements covering the exchange of information and data
• Recognised international standards, in particular for data simplification and standardization, including UN/CEFACT Core Component Technical Specification (CCTS), UN7cefacT Core Component Library (CCL) and other CCL conform data models such as the WCO Data Model, UN/EDIFACT and the XML Naming and Design Rules (NDR).