INF/ECOM/36  
 
5 July 2019 
(19-4495) Page: 1/2 
  Original: English  
 
JOINT STATEMENT ON E LECTRONIC COMMERCE  
COMMUNICATION FROM NEW ZEALAND  
The following communication, dated 5 July 2019, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of New Zealand . 
 
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PROPOSED TEXTS: DIGI TAL TRADE FACILITATI ON AND LOGISTICS  
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  New Zealand believes that issues regarding digital trade facilitation and logistics supporting 
e-commerce trade are important areas for discussion in the context of this Joint Statement Initiative. 
The following texts are proposed as  a complement to our previous proposals regarding consumer 
protection (INF/ECOM/21) and customs duties (INF/ECOM/33).  
Paperless Trading  
1.2.  The WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation contains a range of provisions which support the 
digitalisation of border clear ance processes. New  Zealand believes there is further opportunity to 
build on these provisions through this Initiative. Several other Members have already submitted 
language regarding paperless trading: New  Zealand's text proposal shares common elements wi th 
these but ensures that the language builds on the Agreement on Trade Facilitation by requiring both 
the availability and acceptance of electronic versions of trade administration documentation that is 
required.  
1.3.  New Zealand is also a strong proponent of the role of international standards and standards 
setting bodies in the area of digital trade facilitation, such as the World Customs Organization's 
Cross -Border E -commerce Framework of Standards , and the UN/CEFACT standards for electronic 
information exch ange. We believe Members should draw on these as the basis for developing 
paperless trading initiatives to support global interoperability, and thus facilitating e -commerce 
trade.  
E-Invoicing  
1.4.  Ensuring timely payment of invoices is a critical issue for busi ness, in particular SMEs, yet in 
New Zealand over 25% of invoices are over one month overdue for payment which creates serious 
cash-flow challenges for firms.  Electronic invoicing ("e -invoicing") offers a solution for business to 
address this challenge, regardless of size, by enabling faster delivery, processing and payment of 
invoices. Businesses can save money as e -invoices are les s expensive to process than paper or pdf 
invoices, and the removal of manual handling can lead to improved data quality and fewer errors in 
invoices. E-Invoices are also impossible to lose, and they reduce the risk of fake or compromised 
invoices, so busin esses can be more confident that the invoices they are paying are authentic.  INF/ECOM/36  
 
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  1.5.  E-invoicing is another area where international standards are emerging that can support 
cross-border interoperability of systems. New  Zealand proposes that Members agree to work 
towards mutual recognition of e -invoicing systems, drawing from such international standards as 
PEPPOL. We also see value in using the WTO as a forum to share experiences on implementation of 
such standards.  
1.6.  New Zealand therefore submits for consideration t he below text s as a basis for discussion. This 
proposal  is without prejudice to  New Zealand's ability to make further submissions, and to 
New Zealand's position on the applicable  legal framework.  
DRAFT TEXT FOR DISCU SSION  
Article X: Paperless Trading  
1. Each Member shall ensure that all  publicly available trade administration documents are 
available in electronic form .  
2. Each Member shall accept the electronic versions of trade administration documents  as the 
legal equivalent of paper documents except where:  
(a) there is a domestic or international legal requirement to the contrary; or  
(b) doing so would reduce the effectiveness of the trade administration process.  
3. In developing initiatives which provide for a transition to paperless trading, each Member 
shall endeavo ur to base such initiatives on relevant international standards.  
Definition:  
Trade a dministration document s means forms issued or controlled by a Member  that must be 
completed by or for an importer or exporter in connection  with the import or export of goods . 
Article X: E -Invoicing  
1. Each Member  recognises the importance of  e-invoicing standards which help improve the 
efficiency, accuracy , and reliability of electronic commerce transactions.  
2. Each Member  shall work towards mutu ally recognising the e -invoicing document 
specifications and systems of other Members through implementing recognised existing 
international interoperability standards.   
3. Each Member  shall endeavour to share best practices pertaining to e -invoicing systems . 
 
 
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