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WTO TRADE FACILITATION

Sheri Rosenow WTO Trade and Finance and Trade Facilitation Division

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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.

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Clarify and improve V, VIII, X

SDT - Longer transition periods

No obligation for infrastructure

Identify needs and priorities

Technical Assistance & supportWT/L/579-Annex DWT/L/579-Annex D

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TRANSPARENCY

ARTICLE X

PublicationPublication

Administration of lawsAdministration of laws

AppealsAppeals

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FEE$ and FORMALITIES

ARTICLE VIII

Fees reflect cost for services renderedFees reflect cost for services rendered

Simplify formalities and documentsSimplify formalities and documents

Reduce # and kind of feesReduce # and kind of fees

Minor penalty for minor errorsMinor penalty for minor errors

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ARTICLE VTRANSIT

most convenient routesmost convenient routesno discriminationno discrimination

no unnecessary delays or restrictionsno unnecessary delays or restrictions no duties no duties

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Proposals

EC TPKM EC + 9

Korea US (3)/Uganda Korea

Japan + 5 co EC/AUS EC/Paraguay

Canada/Australia Canada/Australia Paraguay Group

TPKM Korea Rwanda + 2 co

US Canada Singapore

New Zealand Japan/Mongolia OtherOther

China

SingaporeArgentina

Turkey

New Zealand

Hong Kong

China/Korea

US/India

Dominican Rep

Bolivia + 15 co

Article X Article VIII Article V

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Proposals A-FA. 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 proposalsSecretariat Compilation of proposalsTN/TF/W/43/Rev.? (highest number is most recent revision)TN/TF/W/43/Rev.? (highest number is most recent revision)

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Customs Valuation AgreementCustoms Valuation Agreementwithdrawal of goods in event of appealwithdrawal 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

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A - Publication Proposals

1. Trade regulations:

Trade legislationAdministrative guidelinesBorder processes - timeFees/chargesAppeal proceduresAgreementsAdvance rulingsPSI activities

Penalty provisions

Internet

Notification of trade regulations

Enquiry points

Other measures

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Place card on foreheadand think!

Trademark SR Productions

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D – Advance Ruling

Written statement

Issued by specialists at Customs

Applies the law to specific facts

Binding

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F - Other Measures

1. Uniform administration of trade regulations

2. Integrity and ethical conducta. 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

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Place card on foreheadand think!

Trademark SR Productions

G. FEES & CHARGES ON IMPORT/EXPORTH. FORMALITIES ON IMPORT/EXPORTI. CONSULARIZATIONJ. BORDER AGENCY COOPERATIONK. RELEASE AND CLEARANCE OF GOODSL. TARIFF CLASSIFICATION

Customs

G-L Fees &Formalities

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G - FEE$ and CHARGE$G - FEE$ 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

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H – Import/Export Formalities

a) Non-discriminationb) Periodic reviewc) Reduction/Limitationd) Use international standardse) Uniform Customs Codef) Use Commercial information/copiesg) Automationh) Single windowi) No PSIj) No mandatory customs brokers

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I - CON ULARIZATION

Consulat

Consulatee

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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

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K (a) Pre-Arrival Clearance

July 1 July 2 July 3

Documents filedDocuments filed

Customs processesCustoms processes Immediate releaseImmediate release

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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

UPSUPSD

HD

HLL

ARAMEXARAMEX

FE

DE

FE

DE

XX

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Scoring Points

1. 75

2. 50

3. 50

4. 50

5. 25

6. 15

7. 5

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Entry Declaration: 400 TVsEntry Declaration: 400 TVs

Inventory records: 450 TV’sInventory records: 450 TV’s

K(d) Post-clearance auditK(d) Post-clearance audit

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Fiji Tariff CodeTariff No. Product description Duty Rate

0803.00.00 Bananas, including plantains, 10%fresh or dried

0804.10.00 ‑Dates 10%0804.20.00 ‑Figs 10%0804.30.00 ‑Pineapples 10%0804:40.00 ‑Avocados 10%

L - Objective Criteria for Tariff Classification

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M - Matters related to Transit

1. Strengthened Non-discrimination2. Disciplines on Fees and Charges

3. Disciplines on Formalities and Document Requirements 4. Improved Coordination and Cooperation5. Operationalization and Clarification of Terms

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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

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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

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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

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Progress of ProposalsGeneration 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)

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OTHER ISSUES

Multilateral mechanism for exchange/handling of information

Needs assessment WTO Technical Assistance Program

Special and Differential Treatment

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Special and Differential Treatment

Developed countries can treat developing countries more favorably than other WTO Members

GATT Article XXXVI

Enabling Clause

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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)

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Phases W/137 W/142Monitoring 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

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What now?

Negotiations resume Members continue to submit and discuss proposals

Self assessment of needs – WTO Program using Annex D tool

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Up-to-date information

WTO web-site: www.wto.org• Trade Facilitation• Trade Facilitation Technical Assistance

and Capacity Building

Trade facilitation documents: Trade facilitation documents: TN/TF/…TN/TF/…

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WTO Trade Facilitation

THANK YOU !