WTO TRADE FACILITATION Sheri Rosenow WTO Trade and

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

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. 2

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 3

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

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

ARTICLE V TRANSIT u most convenient routes uno discrimination u no unnecessary delays or restrictions u no duties 6

Article X Proposals Article VIII Article V EC Korea TPKM US (3)/Uganda EC + 9 Korea Japan + 5 co EC/AUS EC/Paraguay Canada/Australia Paraguay Group TPKM Korea Rwanda + 2 co US Canada Singapore New Zealand Japan/Mongolia Other China Singapore New Zealand Hong Kong China/Korea US/India Dominican Rep Bolivia + 15 co Argentina Turkey 7

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) 8

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 9

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 10

Place card on forehead and think! Trademark SR Productions 11

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

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

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

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 15

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

I - CON ULARIZATION Co nsu lat e 17

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 18

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

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

Scoring Points 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 75 50 50 50 25 15 5 21

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

L - Objective Criteria for Tariff Classification Tariff No. Fiji Tariff Code Product description Duty Rate 0803. 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% 23

MMatters related to Transit 1. Strengthened Non-discrimination 2. Disciplines on Fees and Charges 3. Disciplines on Formalities and Document Requirements 4. Improved Coordination and Cooperation 5. Operationalization and Clarification of Terms 24

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 25

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 26

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 27

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) 28

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

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

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

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

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

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

WTO Trade Facilitation THANK YOU ! 35