United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) UN/CEFACT Single Window Repository September 2005 Tom Butterly Deputy Chief, Global Trade Solutions Branch

Single Window - to enhance the efficient exchange of information between trade and government A Single Window is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. If information is electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once. A Single Window is a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. If information is electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once. UN/CEFACT Recommendation and Guidelines on Establishing a Single Window,

Single Window Features allow traders to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. allow traders to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. if information is electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once. if information is electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once. sharing of all information in respect of international trade transactions sharing of all information in respect of international trade transactions provide trade related government information provide trade related government information receive payment of duties and other charges. receive payment of duties and other charges. co-ordinate the controls and inspections of the various governmental authorities. co-ordinate the controls and inspections of the various governmental authorities.

UN/CEFACT Recommendation Number 33 Recommendation and Guidelines on Establishing a Single Window Recommendation and Guidelines on Establishing a Single Window

UN/CEFACT Single Window Repository The Repository: Collection of case studies from countries that already have operational Single Windows. The Repository: Collection of case studies from countries that already have operational Single Windows. Goal: to provide countries that are considering establishing a SW with concrete examples of the operation, costs and benefits of such facilities in other countries. Goal: to provide countries that are considering establishing a SW with concrete examples of the operation, costs and benefits of such facilities in other countries. Format: paper publication and on-line Repository, updated regularly. Format: paper publication and on-line Repository, updated regularly. Publication: Case Studies on Implementing a Single Window Publication: Case Studies on Implementing a Single Window

UN/CEFACT SW REPOSITORY – Case Studies on.. Finland Finland Germany Germany Guatemala Guatemala Hong Kong SAR (China) Hong Kong SAR (China) Mauritius Mauritius Malaysia Malaysia Senegal Senegal Singapore Singapore Sweden Sweden United States. United States. More case studies to come …….

Each SW case is described, following a standardized template, which covers: Background Background Establishment Establishment Services Services Operational Model Operational Model Business Model and Costs Business Model and Costs Technology Technology Promotion and Communication Promotion and Communication Judicial aspects Judicial aspects Standards Standards Benefits Benefits Lessons Learned Lessons Learned Future Plans Future Plans Source for further information Source for further information Contact details. Contact details.

Diversity of SW models: adopting to specific national/regional conditions and requirements Financing Financing –By the State (Finland, Sweden, United States), –By the private sector (e.g. Guatemala, Germany) –private-public partnership (e.g. China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Senegal, Singapore) The use of Single Window The use of Single Window –compulsory (Finland, Guatemala, Mauritius, Senegal) –voluntary (China, Germany, Malaysia, Sweden, United States) Services Services –Free on charge (Finland, Sweden, United States) –Paid based on various payment schemes (Guatemala, Germany, China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Senegal, Singapore)

Costs and Benefits of a Single Window Benefits  Faster clearance and release  Reduced costs through reducing delays  More effective and efficient deployment of resources  Predictable application and explanation of rules Total implementation costs  From less than one million US dollars (Guatemala) to  Between 1and 4 million dollars (Finland, Senegal, Malaysia).  In the US, the cost was significantly higher but the system is quite extensive and covers many additional areas. Benefits outweigh costs ……

Main obstacles in implementation Changing the established business and State practices (Malaysia, Senegal, Singapore, United States) Changing the established business and State practices (Malaysia, Senegal, Singapore, United States) Establishing cooperation and commitment of various state authorities involved in import/export procedures (Finland, USA) Establishing cooperation and commitment of various state authorities involved in import/export procedures (Finland, USA) Modernizing the technologies currently used by the State and the private sector (Guatemala), and small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular (Sweden). Modernizing the technologies currently used by the State and the private sector (Guatemala), and small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular (Sweden).

Key factors for success. Strong leadership, which can come from the private (Guatemala) or the public sector (Malaysia, Senegal, United States, Singapore) Strong leadership, which can come from the private (Guatemala) or the public sector (Malaysia, Senegal, United States, Singapore) Cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders, private and public (Finland, Mauritius, Malaysia, Senegal, United States, Singapore) Cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders, private and public (Finland, Mauritius, Malaysia, Senegal, United States, Singapore) User-friendly system, which do not create complications for usual business procedures (China, Malaysia, Sweden, Senegal, United States) User-friendly system, which do not create complications for usual business procedures (China, Malaysia, Sweden, Senegal, United States) Investments in modern technologies (Guatemala, Malaysia) Investments in modern technologies (Guatemala, Malaysia) Phased, flexible approach (Germany, Mauritius, Singapore) Phased, flexible approach (Germany, Mauritius, Singapore) Neutrality, transparency and reliability of the proposed technical solution (Hong Kong SAR (China)) Neutrality, transparency and reliability of the proposed technical solution (Hong Kong SAR (China))

Next Steps Meeting in Lyon September 28 to consider common standards and interoperability for Single Windows – various groups of experts Meeting in Lyon September 28 to consider common standards and interoperability for Single Windows – various groups of experts Workshop in February 2006 on SW Common Standards and Interoperability Workshop in February 2006 on SW Common Standards and Interoperability

UNECE Trade Facilitator Toolkit  Guidelines for Trade Facilitators how to develop national series of trade documents  Electronic tools for the design of PDF trade document forms  User can edit PDF, print and documents  Document forms can be extended for integration into United Nations electronic Trade Documents (UNeDocs) and Single Window  UN Form Repository

Further Information … Visit Or Contact Tom Butterly Deputy Chief Global Trade Solutions Branch UNECE Website: