1 WTO TRADE FACILITATION Sheri Rosenow WTO Trade and Finance and Trade Facilitation Division

2 Singapore Ministerial 1996 CTG mandated to: undertake exploratory and analytical work... on the simplification of trade procedures to assess the scope for WTO rules in this area.

3 Clarify and improve V, VIII, X SDT - Longer transition periods No obligation for infrastructure Identify needs and priorities Technical Assistance & support WT/L/579-Annex D

4 TRANSPARENCY ARTICLE X u Publication u Administration of laws u Appeals

5 FEE$ and FORMALITIES ARTICLE VIII u Fees reflect cost for services rendered u Simplify formalities and documents u Reduce # and kind of fees u Minor penalty for minor errors

6 ARTICLE V TRANSIT u mu mu mu most convenient routes ununununo discrimination u nu nu nu no unnecessary delays or restrictions u nu nu nu no duties

7 Proposals ECTPKMEC + 9 KoreaUS (3)/UgandaKorea Japan + 5 coEC/AUSEC/Paraguay Canada/Australia Paraguay Group TPKMKoreaRwanda + 2 co USCanadaSingapore New ZealandJapan/MongoliaOther China Singapore Argentina Turkey New Zealand Hong Kong China/Korea US/India Dominican Rep Bolivia + 15 co Article X Article VIII Article V

8 Proposals A-F A. Publication and availability of information B. Time periods between publication & implementation C. Consultation & comments- new & amended rules D. Advance rulings E. Appeal procedures F. Other measures to enhance impartiality and non-discrimination Secretariat Compilation of proposals TN/TF/W/43/Rev.? (highest number is most recent revision)

9 Customs Valuation Agreement withdrawal of goods in event of appeal If necessary to delay determination of customs value, the importer shall be able to withdraw goods from customs importer provides guarantee for payment of duties if required by legislation

10 A - Publication Proposals 1.Trade regulations: Trade legislation Administrative guidelines Border processes - time Fees/charges Appeal procedures Agreements Advance rulings PSI activities Penalty provisions Internet Notification of trade regulations Enquiry points Other measures

11 Place card on forehead and think! Trademark SR Productions

12 D – Advance Ruling Written statement Issued by specialists at Customs Applies the law to specific facts Binding

13 F - Other Measures 1. Uniform administration of trade regulations 2. Integrity and ethical conduct a.Code of conduct b.Automation- reduce discretion c.Penalties d.Assistance for prevention of offenses e.Staff for education and training f.Coordination and control mechanisms

14 G. FEES & CHARGES ON IMPORT/EXPORT H. FORMALITIES ON IMPORT/EXPORT I. CONSULARIZATION J. BORDER AGENCY COOPERATION K. RELEASE AND CLEARANCE OF GOODS L. TARIFF CLASSIFICATION Customs G-L Fees &Formalities

15 G - FEE$ and CHARGE$ 1. General disciplines $Parameters for and review of fees $Publication/Notification of Fees $No collection of unpublished fees $Periodic review $Automated payment 2. Reduce/Minimize number/kind

16 H – Import/Export Formalities a)Non-discrimination b)Periodic review c)Reduction/Limitation d)Use international standards e)Uniform Customs Code f)Use Commercial information/copies g)Automation h)Single window i)No PSI j)No mandatory customs brokers

17 I - CON ULARIZATION Consulate

18 K - RELEASE AND CLEARANCE OF GOODS 1.Expedited/Simplified Release and Clearance of Goods (a) Pre-arrival Clearance (b) Expedited Procedures for Express Shipments (c) Risk Management, Authorized Traders (d) Post-Clearance Audit (e) Separating Release from Clearance (f) Other Measures to Simplify Customs Release and Clearance 2. Establishment and Publication of Average Release and Clearance Times

19 K (a) Pre-Arrival Clearance July 1July 2July 3 Documents filed Customs processes Immediate release

20 K(b) EXPRESS CONSIGNMENTS Separate expedited procedures Data submitted prior to arrival of goods Absence of weight or value restrictions Rapid release De minimis procedures UPS DHL ARAMEX FEDEX

21 Scoring Points

22 Entry Declaration: 400 TVs Inventory records: 450 TV’s K(d) Post-clearance audit

23 Fiji Tariff Code Tariff No.Product descriptionDuty Rate Bananas, including plantains, 10% fresh or dried ‑ Dates10% ‑ Figs10% ‑ Pineapples10% 0804:40.00 ‑ Avocados10% L - Objective Criteria for Tariff Classification

24 M - Matters related to Transit Strengthened Non-discrimination Disciplines on Fees and Charges Disciplines on Formalities and Document Requirements Improved Coordination and Cooperation Operationalization and Clarification of Terms

25 M.2 - Disciplines on Fees and Charges (a)Publication of Fees/Charges & Prohibition of Unpublished (b)Periodic Review of Fees and Charges (c)More effective Disciplines on Charges for Transit (d)Periodic Exchange Between Neighbouring Authorities

26 M.3. Disciplines on Transit Formalities and Documentation Requirements (a) Periodic Review (b) Reduction/Simplification (c) Use of international standards (d) Promotion of Regional Transit Arrangements (e) Simplified & Preferential Clearance for Certain Goods (f) Limitation of Inspections and Controls (g) Sealing (h) Cooperation/Coordination on Document Requirements (i) Monitoring (j) Bonded Transport Regime/Guarantees

27 Other Proposals on Transit M. 4. Improved Coordination and Cooperation (a) Amongst Authorities (b) Between Authorities and the Private Sector M. 5. Operationalization and Clarification of Terms

28 Progress of Proposals Generation 1- general ideas (Publication- W/6, W/7,W/8,W/17, W/26, W/30, W/32, W/45) Generation 2 - compilation of main ideas in generation 1 proposals (Publication- W/96) Generation 3 – draft text based on earlier proposals (Publication- W/114)

29 OTHER ISSUES Multilateral mechanism for exchange/handling of information Needs assessment WTO Technical Assistance Program Special and Differential Treatment

30 Special and Differential Treatment Developed countries can treat developing countries more favorably than other WTO Members GATT Article XXXVI Enabling Clause

31 Special & Differential Treatment Legally binding provisions: precise, effective and operational flexibile implementation conditioned on TA and CB effective, adequate, long-term, and sustainable self identified projects Currently two 3rd Generation proposals (TN/TF/W/137 and TN/TF/W/142)

32 PhasesW/137W/142 Monitoring Body√√ Transitional Period√√ Capacity Self Assessment√√ Develop Capacity Building Plans√√ Notifications√√ Multilateral Dialogue on Notifications√X Capacity Verification√√ Notification of Implementation of Commitments - list+ list Dispute Settlement√√ Main Elements of Generation III

33 What now? Negotiations resume Members continue to submit and discuss proposals Self assessment of needs – WTO Program using Annex D tool

34 Up-to-date information WTO web-site: Trade Facilitation Trade Facilitation Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Trade facilitation documents: TN/TF/…

35 WTO Trade Facilitation THANK YOU !