1. Single Submission Portal – the trade driven version of Single Window
Project main-Leader: Ibrahima DIAGNE,
Project co-leader: Kepeng LI,

2. Contents Background Challenges Requirements Examples of SSP Benefits
Project scope
Deliverables
Proposed outline
Next step

3. Background
UN/CEFACT has worked on Single Window topics since the early 2000s.
Single Windows are defined as: a facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements. If information is electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once.
As underlined in the recent UN/CEFACT “Technical Note on Terminology for Single Window and Other Electronic Platforms,” this definition implies five key elements:
  The parties involved in trade and transport
  Standardized information and documents
  Single entry point
  Fulfilling regulatory requirements
  Single submission of individual data
So, the platform itself should have a clear government mandate in order to be considered a national single window.
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.

4. Challenges with national single window
Implementation of a national single window is not an easy task.
It involves strong engagement of all government agencies.
It takes years to render the trade facilitation measures promised to traders and agencies.
Some countries don’t have national single window yet.
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.

5. What is Single Submission Portal
Allows traders to submit all of the information related to a specific activity in a single electronic platform. This platform then redistributes the information to all participants within that portal. A Single Submission Portal differs from a Single Window in that it may or may not handle regulatory procedures and it may or may not be the only portal within a market.
Comparison with Single Window:
Exclusive on the market for all of this type of operator
Standardized information and documents
Government mandate for Single Entry Point
Regulatory processes
Single submission of individual data elements
Single Window
Must be
Must have
Must include
Single Submission Portal
Can be
Can have
Can include
Should be
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.
Extracted from: Technical Note on Terminology for Single Window and Other Electronic Platforms.

6. Requirements for Single Submission Portal
Private sectors can provide Single Submission Portal and do not necessarily wait for national single window to be fully implemented.
MSEs (micro and small-medium enterprises) are able to immediately reap the benefits.
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.

7. Examples of Single Submission Portals: PCS
Port Community System (PCS). A Port Community System usually defines itself as a neutral and open electronic platform enabling intelligent and secure exchange of information between public and private stakeholders in order to improve the competitive position of the sea and air ports’ communities (sometimes referred to as Port User Groups).
The PCS is often based around a single port (whether sea, air, inland, or rail) or multiple port environment within an economy. A PCS can be public, private or a public/private model. Some governments do regard Where the PCS is a private entity, the government may still consider it as critical public infrastructure.
A Port Community System can be considered a Single Window system if they satisfy the five points of the definition of Recommendation 33, notably:
The PCS has received a clear mandate from the government to be the sole provider of specific regulatory functions;
There is only one PCS in the given economy – if there are multiple PCS in a same economy, then the carrier or other economic operator trading within the given economy will need to communicate with multiple systems, therefore not a Single Window for all operations within that economy.
If these conditions are fulfilled, the type of economic operator should be identified by the system (Single Window for maritime carriers…). Otherwise they might be considered a Single Submission Portal or contributing to a Single Environment.
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.

8. Examples of Single Submission Portal: CCS
A Cargo Community System (CCS) : An information technology platform linked to the freight flows (import/export /transit) of any kind of cargo passing through identified port, airport, or multimodal site(s) at a local or national level. A CCS is open to all parties involved in cargo freight and logistics including customs administrations. It handles a database in which information is collected, processed, stored and exchanged aiming to enhance freight optimization, trade safety and security, cargo tracking and tracing, customs and administrative procedures facilitation. These systems might be considered a Single Submission Portal or contributing to a Single Environment.
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.

9. Examples of Single Submission Portal: ITIS
ITIS. International Trade Integrated Service (ITIS) Platforms can assemble the service providers and service partners (such as customs broker, freight forwarding, logistics service providers, warehouses, export agencies, banks, insurance companies, law firms, etc.) to provide MSMEs professional international trade services, such as clearance, tax refund, foreign exchange settlement, logistics, insurance, financing, legal advice and so on.
The vision of ITIS: Provide the MSMES the convenient regulation and commercial integrated service to help MSMEs to participate into the cross-border trade and e-commerce easily.
The objective of ITIS: Based on the Internet and data to establish the new service mode for MSMEs and improve the competitiveness of cross-border trade of MSMEs.
Some principles of ITIS:
ITIS should be inclusive to all the MSMEs.
ITIS should be applied to all the countries in the world.
ITIS should be applied to both traditional commerce and e-commerce cross-border trade.
ITIS is a commercial service, and it is not a government service;
Services provided by ITIS to MSMEs, which include Customs clearance, inspection and quarantine, settlement, tax collection and refunds, logistics, financing and so on.
ITIS platform should take management responsibilities, which include service agreement management, service quality management, risk control management, agency entry and exit mechanism management, import and export goods auditing management, coordination management, etc.
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.

10. Benefits of Single Submission Portals
For government:
More effective governance at lower cost.
Improve the competitiveness of cross-border trade of MSMEs, because SSP provides all services and competencies that only large scale companies can provide.
For traders:
Faster clearance
Increased compliance
Less inspections
Fewer personnel
Lower logistics and operating costs
Trade facilitation
Insert one slide, what was the scope from the SC27 group meeting? – We have requirements. Next steps: propose scope, ask contributions for the scope.

11. Project scope
The project will look at the potential stakeholders, the services such systems can provide and potential management responsibilities. The initial focus will be on a national environment of data exchange only. It will provide guidance on these points and general recommendation for facilitating the implementation of such systems.
Particular attention will be focused on benefits and needs of micro­enterprises and small­medium enterprises.
The project proposes to study different forms of Single Submission Portals including e­Commerce platforms, International Trade Integrated Service (ITIS) Platforms, Port Community Systems, Cargo Community Systems, Data Pipelines or Interorganizational Operating Information Systems.
International Trade Integrated Service (ITIS) Platforms can assemble the service providers and service partners (such as customs broker, freight forwarding, logistics service providers, warehouses, export agencies, banks, insurance companies, law firms, etc.) to provide MSMEs professional international trade services, such as clearance, tax refund, foreign exchange settlement, logistics, insurance, financing, legal advice and so on.
Finally, this project will propose how such Single Submission Portals can provide the same or similar trade facilitation mechanisms as a National Single Window. Some countries may want to use such systems as a viable alternative to a National Single Window and rely on such systems as an alternative to their WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement requirements. :
from Vicky to Everyone:
Vicky Hailey -Canada
from markus to Everyone:
Markus Soland, Switzerland,

12. Project deliverables and Exit Criteria
The project deliverables are:
a)  Recommendation on Single Submission Portals
b)  Guidelines on Single Submission Portals
c)  Single Submission Portals ‘Case Study Repository’ submission template and initial contributions
Exit criteria:
Recommendation on Single Submission Portals
Internal and external review logs showing how comments have been addressed
Final draft text ready for publication
Guidelines on Single Submission Portals
Single Submission Portals ‘Case Study Repository’ submission template and initial contributions
Gathering and review of case studies completed
from Vicky to Everyone:
Vicky Hailey -Canada
from markus to Everyone:
Markus Soland, Switzerland,

13. Recommendation Outline
Challenges
What is Single Submission Portal
The need for Single Submission Portal
Services provided by Single Submission Portal
Benefits for Single Submission Portal
Guidance to establish a Single Submission Portal
Introduction of different SSPs
PCS (Port Community System)
CCS (Cargo Community System)
ITIS (International Trade Integrated Service)
Conclusions and recommendations
from Vicky to Everyone:
Vicky Hailey -Canada
from markus to Everyone:
Markus Soland, Switzerland,

14. Next steps
Need volunteers as Lead Editor and volunteers for each section
Conf call arrangements: monthly call or bi-weekly call?
What are our expected timeline?
from Vicky to Everyone:
Vicky Hailey -Canada
from markus to Everyone:
Markus Soland, Switzerland,

15. Thank you!