G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
27 October 2021  
(21-8143) Page: 1/42 
Committee on Trade Facilitation    
 
 
FIRST REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  
OF THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  
Revision1 
Contents  
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  2 
2   SECTION I OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ................................  4 
A  FACTUAL  INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ ..............................  4 
2.1   Notifications under Section I of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ..........  4 
2.2   Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  ................................ ............................  7 
2.3   Written submissions by Members regarding Section I  ................................ .....................  10 
2.4   Experience sharing by Members on trade facilit ating measures taken to mitigate the  
COVID -19 Crisis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  11 
2.5   Specific Trade Concerns  ................................ ................................ .............................  12 
Kazakhstan – Border Restrictions of Goods in Transit – Request from the Kyrgyz Republic 
(G/TFA/W/20; G/TFA/W/20/Corr.1; G/TFA/W/20 /Add.1)  ................................ ........................  12 
2.6   Involvement of the private sector  ................................ ................................ ................  12 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION I OF THE TFA UNDER CONSIDERATION  
BY THE CTF  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  13 
3   SECTION II OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ............................  15 
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ ............................  15 
3.1   Notifications under Section II of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ....... 15 
3.1.1    Notifications by Members under Articles 15 and 16  ................................ ...................... 16 
Status of Notifications unde r Articles 15 and 16  ................................ ................................ .... 17 
3.1.2    Requests for extension of the deadline for the notification of definitive dates for  
category B meas ures by Least -Developed Members  ................................ ............................... 21 
3.1.3    Notifications on technical assistance and capacity building support for category C 
designations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................... 22 
3.1.4    Notifications under Article 17  ................................ ................................ .................... 24 
3.1.5    Notifications under Article 19 of the TFA  ................................ ................................ .....26 
3.1.6    Notifications under Ar ticle 22 of the TFA  ................................ ................................ .....26 
3.2   Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  ................................ ..........................  27 
3.3   Article 21:4: Dedicated Sessions on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building  ................  27 
 
1 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  reflects  the Committee's discussions during the Committee on Trade Facilitation's informal 
Committee meeting s on the Review of the TFA , which took place on 13 October 2021 and 19 October 2021 . 
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  3.4   Written submissions by Members regarding Section II  ................................ ....................  30 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION II OF THE TFA UNDER CONSIDERATION  
BY THE CTF  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  30 
4   SECTION III OF THE T FA ................................ ................................ ...........................  32 
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ ............................  32 
4.1   Ratifications  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  32 
4.2   Article 23 Institutional Arrangements  ................................ ................................ ...........  33 
4.2.1    Article 23.1 Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ ............................... 33 
4.2.2    Rules of procedure of the Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ ............ 34 
4.2.3    Annual reports by the Committee to the Council for Trade in Goods  ............................... 34 
4.2.4    Other business  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 35 
4.2.5    Article 23.2 National Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ ................... 35 
4.3   Written submissions by Members regarding Section III  ................................ ..................  36 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION III OF THE TFA UNDER CONSIDERATION  
BY THE CTF  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  37 
Notifications under Article 19  ................................ ................................ ........................  38 
5   REPORTS TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  
FACILITY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON TRA DE 
FACILITATION ON THEIR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT MEMBERS IN THE  
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ......................  38 
6   DATABASE AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENTS SU PPORTING THE WORK OF THE TF 
COMMITTEE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  39 
7   MEMBERS' GENERAL PROPOSALS  ................................ ................................ ..............  40 
8   RECOMMENDATIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 40 
 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  The First Review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA, the Agreement, TF Agreement) is 
being carried out in 2021 in accordance with the mandate under Article 23.1.6 of the Agreement. 
Article 23.1.6 provides that "[t]he Committee shall review the operation and implementation of this 
Agreement fo ur years from its entry into force, and periodically thereafter".  
1.2.  While the mandate in Article 23.1.6 stipulates that the review period starts from the entry into 
force of the Agreement, in order to capture all notifications submitted by Members, the notif ication 
data contained in this factual report covers the period from 1 January 2014 to [31  October ] 2021.  
1.3.  Otherwise, this report covers the period from 22 February 2017 to [31 October ] 2021.  
1.4.  At its meeting of 3 March 2021, the Committee on Trade Facilitati on (TF Committee, 
Committee, TFC , CTF) adopted a calendar and procedure to undertake the First Review .2 A first draft 
factual section of the review , which provided information regarding the implementation and 
operation issues of the Agreement, as determin ed by Members during the review period, was 
circulated in document G/TFA/W/41 . A number of written textual edits on the draft factual report, 
as well as new proposals, were received from Members and were circulated in the G/TFA/W/ 
document series. These co mmunications were incorporated in draft form into the draft Secretariat's 
factual report and th is document formed the basis of the draft review and was circulated as document 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.1 . The Committee reviewed the document at its meeting s of 20 July 2021 and 22 
September 2021. Following the September meeting, a  further revision was circulated in document 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.2  which was reviewed at a Committee meeting that took place on 13 October 2021. 
Following that meeting, [a third revision of the  draft review was circulated in document 
 
2 G/TFA/1 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3. and was further considered at the Committee meeting of 19 to 21 October 2021. 
At the October meeting….]  
1.5.  The draft review document is structured according to Sections I, II and III of the Agreement.  
It also includes quantitative information on the submitted notifications, a description of the thematic 
and experience sharing sessions, written submissions by Members and other issues relevant to each 
Section of the Agreement.  
1.6.  The TFA entered into force on 22 February 2017; developing Members  and least-developed  
country  Members have used the innovations that this Agreement provides. By and large, Members 
concerned (except a few that have not yet ratified the Agreement) notified their categorization of 
commitments in a timely manner. This is a remarkable achievement, given the very specific and 
new modalities of Section II of the Agreement. It is worth noting the specific challenges faced by 
LDC Members .3 Developing Members also notified the definitive deadlines for their category B and 
C commitments - while LDC  Member s have until 22 August 2022 to notify their definitive dates for 
implementation of their category C commitments. Based on the timelines notified by Members, at 
the time of the fi nalization of this report, about [xx]% of the provisions of the Agreement are 
implemented.  
1.7.  The next challenge that several members stressed during the meetings is to find the 
appropriate means to review and monitor the implementation of the commitments of category A, B 
and C that are already due for implementation (notably, but not only on transparency) and those 
that will be due in the years to come. To facilitate this monitoring of the commitments that are due 
this year (2021) and next year, the WTO Secre tariat has produced a document (G/TFA/INF/1) that 
lists all definitive implementation dates until the end of 2022. It is understood that the WTO 
Secretariat will keep updating this document.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Uni on 
Insert the following text:  
"The TFA entered into force on 22 February 2017; Developing Countries and Least Developed 
Countries Members have used the innovations that this Agreement provides. By and large , 
Members concerned (except a few that have not yet ratified the Agreement) notified their 
categorization of commitments in a timely manner. This is a remarkable achievement, given the 
very specific and new modalities of Section II of the Agreement. It is w orth noting the specific 
challenges faced by LDCs2. Developing Countries Members also notified the definitive deadlines 
for their category B and C commitments - while LDCs have until 22 August 2022 to notify their 
definitive dates for implementation of the ir category C commitments. Based on the timelines 
notified by Members, at the time of the finalization of this report, about [xx]% of the provisions 
of the Agreement are implemented.  
The next challenge that several members stressed during the meetings is t o find the 
appropriate means to  review and monitor the implementation of the commitments of category 
A, B and C that are already due for implementation (notably, but not only  on transparency) and 
those that will be due in the years to come. To facilitate t his monitoring of the commitments that 
are due this year (2021)  and next year, the WTO Secretariat has produced a document 
(G/TFA/INF/1) that lists all definitive implementation dates until the end of 2022 . It is 
understood that the WTO Secretariat  will ke ep updating this document.  
In addition, proposals were made specifically with regards to transparency notifications 
(G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1) and with regards to implementation of category B and C 
commitments (G/TFA/W/46).  
Note: this paragraph was relocated to Section 2B "Proposals by Members under Section 
I of the TFA under consideration by the CTF".  
The COVID -19 pandemic has represented an unprecedented challenge for all Members'  Customs 
procedures that had to be adjusted to ensure in particular  a smooth flow of essential /critical  
goods. The pandemic in several instances led to  advancing the digitization of forms , 
certificates and documents  required for customs,  it showed the impor tance of measures 
like reduction of fees and charges, e -payments, clearance procedures to facilitate trade, 
risk management, ease of transit,  and highlighted the importance of cooperation among border 
agencies and between Members ' customs , as well as the n eed for transparency regarding custom 
 
3 This is a placeholder for LDC  Member s to insert their input as suggested during the informal TFC 
meeting of 22 September 2021 and based on their contributions such as G/TFA/W/58 and G/TFA/W/59/Rev.1.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  procedures and rules, tariffs and other trade measures be they temporary or permanent . These 
elements are only an  illustration of the many tools needed to cope with the crisis, which were 
presented by Members, internat ional organisations and observers, who shared their experiences 
during the informal sessions of the TFC (see the compendium of measures – document series  
G/TFA/W/40 /Rev.[x]). One key finding, stressed by several Members  is that COVID -19 led 
to an acceleration of TFA implementation for a large number of Members ( see document series 
G/TFA/W/25 ), and that the TFA implementation has become even more important to help 
Members address the challenges brought by this pandemic, a s well as the needs arising from new 
means of trading (such as e -commerce)."  
_____________  
2 This is a placeholder for LDCs to insert their input as suggested during the informal 
TFC meeting of 22 September 2021 and based on their contributions such as 
G/TFA/W/58 and G/TFA/W/59 /Rev.1 . 
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Present comparative tr ade (export and import) data based on the different groups of Members  
such as developed, developing, LLDCs and LDCs from the year 2017 to 2020. This would be 
essential for the general understanding of the relation between TFA implementation and a global 
trade scenario in different groups of Members.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 1 and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Presenting comparative trade (export and import) data based on the different groups of Members  
such as developed, developing, LDCs and LLDCs from the year 2017 to 2020 would be helpful in 
providing general understanding of the relationship of TFA implement ation and global trade 
facilitated across different groups of Members.  
G/TFA/W/59/Rev.1 , para 2.6  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2  SECTION I OF THE TFA  
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
2.1  Notifications under Section I of the TFA  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
The addition of a brief analysis of tables would further add value.  
G/TFA/W/59/Rev.1 , para. 2.2 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from Turkey  
The First Review Report of the Operation and Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
should include a "cumulative breakdown" section for all notifications made by Member s with 
relation to all technical provisions of TFA. In doing so, the Report would show  current 
implementation status of Section provisions at the end of first four -year period and would allow 
Trade Facilitation Committee (TFC) to plan its work in the next four -year. Such information would 
also help realizing and scheduling technical assista nce-capacity building missions more effectively.  
G/TFA/W/62 , para. 2.1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2.1.  The TFA requires Members to notify the Committee of the following: the publication of  
information for governments and traders on import, export and transit procedures (Article 1.4); the 
details of operation of their single window (Article 10.4.3); the use of customs brokers 
(Article  10.6.2); and details of the contact point for the exchang e of customs information 
(Article  12.2.2).  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
These obligations that are called "transparency obligations" under Article 1.4 de facto  have to be 
regularly updated for the parts of these provisions that consist in notifying the websites where 
information is - if/when websites of administrations or cont act points change. Several developing 
and LDC  Members  have notified these commitments as category A or as category B. Many 
developing and LDC  Members  have categorised these commitments as category C. Regarding LDC  
Members , the definitive date for implement ing category C commitments is August 2022, but in 
some cases, Members accelerated implementation and notified.  
EU comment : Regarding LDC and LLDC  Members , in this paragraph there may be room 
for adding specific lessons learnt as to the value and importance of transparency 
notifications and the challenges to do these notifications. LDC  Members  could provide 
additional comments based on their contribution in document G/TFA/W/58, in 
particular.)  
At the time of finalising this report, the situation is  as follows:  
EU comment: to insert a table or text, as Members prefer, and the Secretariat would insert the 
latest figures available  
[x] Developing Members  category A commitments for the provision 1.4 are to be notified  
[x] Developing Members  category B commitments whose date passed for the provision 1.4 are to 
be notified  
[x] Developing Members  category A commitment for the provision 10.4.3 are to be notified  
[x] Developing Members  category B commitments whose date passed for the provision 10 .4.3 are 
to be notified  
[x] Developing Members  category A commitments for the provision 10.6.2 are to be notified  
[x] Developing Members  category B commitments whose date passed for the provision 1.0.6.2 
are to be notified  
[x] Developing Members  category A  commitment for the provision 12.2.2 to be notified  
[x] Developing Members  category B commitments whose date passed for the provision 12.2.2 
have to be notified  
It is worth noting that the CTF regularly reports to the CTG on the state of implementation of these 
above mentioned "transparency" notifications (C/L/223/Rev.28). In order to facilitate Members' 
review of their commitments regarding these notifications, the Russian Federation proposed in 
document G/TFA/W/47 an initiative which is embodied in docume nt G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1 following 
co-sponsorship by the EU.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2.2.  Chart 1 shows the number of notifications received per calendar year over the period from 
01 January 2016, (when the first transparency notification was made) to [31 October ] 2021.4 In 
total, [xx]5 transparency notifications were submitted over this period.  
EU comment : The EU is of the view that such information may be confusing or misleading as  
what matters is what has been done compared to what Members committed to. In addition, such 
a chart does not separate amendments and updates of notifications to new notifications. This 
comment also applies to Table 1 and Chart 2 below . 
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
 
4 The data reflects the total number of transparency notifications received, including notifications to 
update information previously submitted, and not the number of Members that submitted transparenc y 
notifications.  
5 [xx] as it appears in the paper indicates that the final data is to be inserted at the conclusion of the 
review.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Chart 1 : Number of transparency notifications received per year  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
2.3.  The cumulative distribution of the transparency notifications submitted by Members is 
displayed in Table 1 . 
Table 1 : Cumulative break -down of transparency notifications submitted by percentage  
EU comment : See comment in paragra ph 2.2 above.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Article  Notification  Percentage  
Article 1.4  Publication of information for governments and traders on 
import, export and transit procedures  27% 
Article 10.4.3  Details of operation of the single window  22% 
Article 10.6.2  Use of customs brokers  27% 
Article 12.2.2  Contact point for the exchange of customs information  25% 
2.4.  Chart 2 shows the percentage of transparency notifications submitted per Member grouping  
per year . 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Chart 2: Percentage of transparency notifications received per Member grouping  per year  
EU comment : See comment in paragraph 2.2 above.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
2.2  Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  
2.5.  The first experience -sharing exercise/thematic discussion took place during the fourth meeting 
of the Committee, held on 2 -3 May 2018. Thereafter, it remained as an agenda  item for each 
subsequent Committee meeting. During the review period, a total of [xx] experience -sharing 
exercises took place in relation to provisions under Section I of the TFA. The sharing of experiences 
by Members took various formats: thematic discussions, cross -cutting issues, and presentations on 
specific TFA provisions.  
2.6.  The COV ID-19 pandemic prompted Members to intensify their experience sharing on this 
particular challenge that customs had to face during 2020 and most of 2021. The EU proposal that 
the WTO Secretariat prepares a compendium of the reported experiences was adopted . The 
compendium (document G/TFA/W/40/Rev.[x]) is attached as Annex [x].  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
The COVID -19 pandemic prompted Members to intensify their experience sharing on this particular 
challenge that customs had to face during 2020 and most of 2021. The EU proposal that the WTO 
Secretariat prepares a compendium of the reported experiences was adopted. The compendium 
(document G/TFA/W/40/Rev.[x]) is attached as Annex [x]. 
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Section I should elaborate further about the impact of COVID -19 on implementation and measures 
taken to facilitate trade.  
G/TFA/W/ 59/Rev.1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2.7.  The experience -sharing sessions included the participation of the following internationa l 
organizations, which comprise some of the so-called "Annex D+ partner organizations": the World 
Bank Group (WBG), World Customs Organization (WCO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation 
and Development (OECD), the United Nations Conference on Trade a nd Development (UNCTAD) and 
the International Trade Centre (ITC). The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF), a 
public -private partnership dedicated to international trade facilitation6, and the Standards Trade and 
Development Facility (STDF) a mul ti-partner initiative7, also participated in the experience -sharing 
sessions.  The list of presentations is contained in Annex 1, Table 1.  
 
2.8.  In total, [18] Members shared their implementation experience with regard to six TFA articles 
as follows: Article 1: Publication and Availability of Information (2 Members); Article 2: Opportunity 
to Comment, Information Before Entry Into Force, And Consultations (2 Mem bers); Article 3: 
Advance Rulings (5 Members); Article 7: Release and Clearance Of Goods (7 Members); Article 10: 
Formalities Connected With Importation, Exportation And Transit (8 Members); Article 11, and 
Freedom of Transit (6 Members).  See Table 2.  A number of Members also made presentations on 
cross-cutting issues, which are listed in Table 3.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Edit last sentence of para. 2.7 as follows:  
"A number of Members also made presentations on cross -cutting issues, including COVID -19 
challenges,  which are listed in Table 3."  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Table 2: Experience -sharing presentations by Members on Section I provisions  
Member  Title Committee meeting  
Article 1: Publication and Availability of Information  
Ecuador  Publication and availability of information  (in Spanish only)  11 February 2020  
Eswatini, 
Kingdom of  Trade Facilitation Programme and Trade Facilitation 
Information Portal ETIP  20-22 October 2020  
Jamaica  Jamaica's Trade Information Portal  
Jamaica's Trade Facilitation Programme  15-16 October 2019  
United States  GTFAW13 - Developing the Article 1.4 noti fication  25-26 June 2019  
Article 2: Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -discrimination and Transparency  
European Union  EU implementation of Article 2 of the TFA  26 June 2018  
United States  The Role of Notice and Comment And Related Administrative 
Procedures in Trade Facilitation Implementation  
GTFAW6  26 June 2018  
Article 3: Advance Rulings  
Australia  Australia Advance Rulings - Presentation  
GTFAW11 - Australia's experience with Advanced Rulings  12-13 February 2019  
Japan  Advance Rulings - Japan's experience  12-13 February 2019  
Singapore  Singapore - Advance Rulings  9-11 October 2018  
 
6 The Global Alliance is led by the Center for International Private Enterprise, the International Chamber 
of Commerce and t he World Economic Forum, in cooperation with Gesellschaft für Internationale 
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It is currently funded by the governments of the United States, Canada, Germany, 
Denmark and Australia.  
7 The STDF grew out of a joint communiqué issued by t he Heads of FAO, OIE, WBG, WHO and WTO at 
the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001. It is hosted by the WTO Secretariat, supporting increased 
capacity of developing Members  to implement international SPS standards, guidelines and recommendations.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Member  Title Committee meeting  
Ukraine  Advanced rulings  
Advanced rulings - key points  11 February 2020  
United States  Speaking points - The role of advance rulings a nd 
administrative procedures in TFA implementation  
GTFAW7 - The role of advance rulings and administrative 
procedures in TFA implementation  9-11 October 2018  
Article 7: Release and Clearance of Goods  
Australia  Australia's Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program - 
Australian Trusted Trader GTFAW9  
Video: Australian Trusted Trader - an overview  9-11 October 2018  
Brazil Brazil's AEO programme  9-11 October  2018 
Time release study  22-23 March 2021  
Cambodia  Shifting Category C to B - Article 7.9 Perishable goods  22-23 April 2021  
China  China's AEO programme  9-11 October  2018 
European Union  The EU Authorised Economic Operator AEO Programme  9-11 October 2018  
Guatemala  Guatemala's AEO programme - Presentaci ón del programa de 
operador econ ómico autorizado en Guatemala  9-11 October 2018  
Estudio de tiempos de despacho  20-22 October 2020  
Hong Kong, China  Implementation of the AEO Programme in  Hong Kong China  9-11 October 2018  
Korea, Republic of  Korea AEO programme  15-16 October 2019  
Sri Lanka  WCO Time Release Study - Sri Lanka's experience  11 February 2020  
United States  GTFAW21 - US Cargo time release study  11 February 2020  
Uruguay  GTFAW12 - Plazos medios de levante y programa de Operador 
Económico  Autorizado en aplicación  del AFC  25-26 June 2019  
Zambia  Authorised Economic Operators AEO - Customs Accredited 
Client Programme  9-11 October 2018  
Article 10: Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportatio n and Transit  
Brazil  Single window implementation in Brazil  9-11 October 2018  
TFA implementation in Brazil through Public -Private 
Partnership  
China  Single Window in China  15-16 October 2019  
European Union  Special procedures processing and temporary admission  
Room document  12-13 February 2019  
Korea, Republic of  Single Window in Korea  9-11 October 2018  
Malaysia  ASEAN statement - Discussions on single window  9-11 October 2018  
Rwanda/  
UNCTAD  UNCTAD Compendium of Good Practices UNCTAD and Rwanda  15-16 October 2019  
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of  Overview of Trade Facilitation Initiatives in Saudi Customs  9-11 October 2018  
The Separate 
Customs  Territory 
of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen 
and Matsu  CPT Single Window  15-16 October 2019  
Article 11: Freedom of Transit  
European Union  EU Customs Transit Procedures Including Arrangements with a 
Number of Neighbouring Countries Under the Common Transit 
Convention  
EU Non Paper - European Union Customs Transit including 
arrangements with neighbouring countries under the Common 
Transit Convention  2-3 May 2018  
Switzerland  Implementation of National and International Transit 
Procedures  9-11 October 2018  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Table 3: Experience -sharing presentations by Members on cross -cutting issues  
Member  Presentation  Committee Meeting  
China  Approaches to Planning for Future Experience Sharing among 
Members  26 June 2018  
 Implementation of WTO TFA by China Customs  2-3 May 2018  
Costa Rica  Costa Rica statement  11 February 2020  
El Salvador  Central American Trade Facilitation and Competitiveness 
Strategy with Emphasis on Coordinated Border Management 
(in Spanish only)   
Guatemala  Trade Facilitation Through a Regional Lens  26 June 2018  
Moldova, Republic 
of Moldova 's National Action Plan on Trade Facilitation  2-3 May 2018  
Morocco  Implementation of the TFA through a public -private 
partnership  11 February 2020  
North Macedonia  Trade Facilitation Agreement Implementation - Some Practical 
Aspects  2-3 May 2018  
United States  G/TFA/W/19 - Communication from the United States - 
Sharing of experiences  11 February 2020  
 
EU Comment : During the informal TFC discussion, there were suggestions that Table 3 also 
incorporates COVID -19 experience sharing. A new table 3(b) could list the Members that 
contributed to the compendium and the IO and other observers, with a summary and attached 
that compendium in the Annex.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2.3  Written submissions by Members regarding Section I  
2.9.  Table 4 below compiles the list of written submissions from Members circulated in the G/TFA/W/ 
document series as part of the experience -sharing exercise.  
Table 4: Written Submissions by Members regarding Section I  
Article  Member  Subject  Document Symbol  
Implementation of Section I of the TFA  
Article 1  United States  Developing the Article 1.4 notification  G/TFA/W/13  
Article 1  Zambia  Launch of the Zambia Trade 
Information Portal  G/TFA/W/34  
Articles 1 
and 2  United States  The role of "notice and comment" and 
related administrative procedures in 
trade facilitation implementation  G/TFA/W/6  
Article 3  Australia  Australia's experience with Advance 
rulings  G/TFA/W/11  
Article 3  United States  The role of advance rulings and 
administrative procedures in TFA 
implementation  G/TFA/W/7  
Articles 5, 7, 
9 and 10  Mongolia  Information on Articles 5.1, 5.3, 7.2, 9 
and 10.5  G/TFA/W/32  
Article 7  Australia  Australia's Authorized Economic 
Operator (AEO): Australian Trusted 
Trader  G/TFA/W/9  
Article 7  Brazil  Time release study  G/TFA/W/33  
Article 7  Hong Kong, China  Implementation of the Authorised 
Economic Operator programme in Hong 
Kong, China  G/TFA/W/8  
Article 7  United States  US cargo time release study phase two 
executive summary  G/TFA/W/21  
Article 7  Uruguay  Plazos medios de levante y programa de 
Operador Económico Autorizado  G/TFA/W/12  
Article 8  Chile, Ecuador, Costa 
Rica, Mexico, 
Paraguay, Uruguay  Border Agency Cooperation  G/TFA/W/22  
Article 11  Kyrgyz Republic  Provision on the national transit 
coordinator  G/TFA/W/16  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 11 - 
 
  Article  Member  Subject  Document Symbol  
Article 11  Mongolia  Provision on the national transit 
coordinator  G/TFA/W/18  
Other topics  
 Jordan  Elimination of the consularization 
requirement  G/TFA/W/23  
 Multiple (United States 
and Norway)  Revisiting the need for global action to 
eliminate consularization requirements  G/TFA/W/38  
 United States  MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium 
Enterprises)  
 Opportunities For 
MSMEs - Statement by 
The United States  
The Trade Facilitation 
Agreement: A World Of 
Opportunities For 
MSMEs  
 
2.4  Experience sharing by Members on trade facilitating measures taken to mitigate the 
COVID -19 Crisis8 
2.10.   Following the outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic in 2020, the TF Committee held an informal 
Committee meeting on 30 September 2020 to provide an opportunity to Members to inform the 
Committee of trade facilitating measures that they had adopted in response to COVID -19. The 
meeting started with updates from the ITC, the WB G, the WCO, UNCTAD and GATF on their work in 
this area. The organizations presented their work under the following headings: I TC - "Continuing 
TACB during the times of pandemics - ITC experi ence"; WBG - "The World Bank Group response to 
trade facilitation during the COVID crisis "; WCO - "What Customs can do to mitigate the effects of 
the COVID -19 pandemic "; World Economic Forum (GA TF) "COVID impact on trade facilitation – 
observations, challe nges and opportunities "; and UNCTAD " Easing global trade and transport during 
COVID -19". 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
Subsequently and as stated in paragraph 2.5, the WTO Secretariat has prepared a compendium 
(G/TFA/W/40/ Rev.[x]) attached in annex [x]. It is a compilation of the  presentations that 
Members, international organizations and other observers made informally during these TFC 
meetings.  The measures are compiled  under the articles of the TFA that are reproduced under 
specific headings. When a measure does not relate to an Article of the TFA, it is called "other 
measure". It is important to recall that those measures are only some of the whole ranges of 
practices and  rules that were adopted. The Articles of the TFA that have been most relevant to 
cope with the COVID -19 pandemic are: Article 1.4, (Transparency including availability of the 
measures on websites, information on measures that are duty reduction for exampl e), Article 2 
(consultation with business), Article 5 (testing of goods in particular), Article 6 (fees and charges 
that were temporarily suppressed), Article 7 regarding e -payment, Article 7.3 risk management, 
clearance of goods, but also Authorized Econo mic Operators Article 7.4, Article 8 on border 
cooperation, Article 10 (digitization, simplification), Article 11 (transit), and Article 12 (contact 
points for customs cooperation.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
2.11.   The following seven Members reported to the Committee on the trade facilitating measures 
that they had undertaken: the Dominican Republic; the European Union; Guatemala; Japan; Nepal 
(as a focal point of the Core Group on Trade Facilitation of the LDC Group); Switzerland; and the 
United States.  
 
2.12.   The Ottawa Group, which includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Japan, 
Kenya, Republic of Korea , Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland, introduced a 
communication circulated in document G/TFA/W/24 which compiled the COVID -19 measures taken 
 
8 A compendium document of the contributions of COVID -19 responses that the TFC Members and 
Observers have provided to the TFC is available in document G/TFA/W/40 /Rev.[x]. The compendium also 
includes presentations made to the Committee by a number of Annex D+ partner organizations. Links to the 
presentations made by Members and Annex D+ partner organizations are included in the compendium.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 12 - 
 
  by its members. Brazil, Colombia and the United States, introduced a joint communication entit led 
"Supporting the Timely and Efficient Release of Global Goods Through Accelerated Implementation 
of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement" which was circulated in document G/TFA/W/25.  
2.13.   Members continued to share information on the trade facilitating measu res that they had 
taken to mitigate COVID -19 at the Committee meetings of 21 -22 October 2020, 
26-27 January  2021, 3 March 2021, 22 -23 April 2021, [22 -23 June 2021, 27 -28 July 2021, and 
19-21 October 2021].  
2.14.   At the meeting of 21 -22 October 2020, the followin g Members informed the Committee of the 
trade facilitating measures that they had taken to mitigate COVID -19: the European Union 
"Paper -based proofs of Preferential Origin under Covid -19 crisis"; the US updated the Committee on 
the communication entitled " Supporting The Timely And Efficient Release Of Global Goods Through 
Accelerated Implementation Of The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement" (G/TFA/W/25); Paraguay 
"Ventanilla única del exportador – medidas en época de pandemia "; Nepal "Trade and Transit 
Facilitation – Nepal's experience; Canada "e -Longroom: an Emerging Digital Customs Strategy"; 
Afghanistan "Status and challenges of Trade Facilitation Agreement Implementation in Afghanistan"; 
Mongolia "Implementation of the TFA by Mongolia"; Japan "Japan Custom s' Response to COVID -19; 
the Dominican Republic " Medidas temporales adoptadas por la República Dominicana en respuesta 
al COVID -19", and India introduced its communication entitled "Intimation to the Committee on 
Trade Facilitation about India's COVID -19 Trade Facilitation Measures" circulated in document 
G/TFA/W/26 .  Saint Lucia, The Netherlands, and the EU provided additional information.  
2.15.   At the meeting of 26 -27 January 2021, the WCO and the GATF updated the Committee on 
their COVID -19 related work.  
2.16.   At the meeting of 3 March 2021, the WCO provided an update to the Committee on its ongoing 
COVID -19 related work.  
2.17.   At the meeting of 22 -23 April 2021, the following Members informed the Committee of the 
trade facilitating measures that they had taken to mitigate COVID -19: Cambodia "Mitigating 
COVID -19 – Article 10.4 Single Window"; and Turkey "Outcomes of Turkey's electronic customs 
procedures in line wi th TFA on international supply chains during the COVID -19 pandemic".  
2.18.   A number of Annex D+ partner organizations made presentations to the Committee during 
these meetings regarding the support that they were providing to Members during the COVID -19 
pandemic . The presentations are listed in Annex 1, Table 2. 
2.5  Specific Trade Concerns  
Kazakhstan – Border Restrictions of Goods in Transit – Request from the Kyrgyz Republic 
(G/TFA/W/20 ; G/TFA/W/20/Corr.1 ; G/TFA/W/20/Add.1)  
2.19.   The Committee addressed one matter concerning a specific trade concern that was raised at 
its meeting of 11 February 2020.9 The Kyrgyz Republic raised a concern regarding Kazakhstan's 
treatment of its goods transiting to the Russian Federation. Kazakhstan considered that the issue 
should be addressed within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, to which they both are 
members.  
2.6  Involvement of the private sector  
2.20.   On 22 April 2021, at the margins of the meeting of the TFC, the Global Express Association 
(GEA), which represents DHL, FedEx and UPS, organized a webinar to which the Committee was 
invited.  
 
9 G/L/1375  and G/TFA/M/10 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from China  
China suggests to delete the following item fr om the First Review of the Operation and 
Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement Factual Report contained in document 
G/TFA/W/41:  
"2.6 Involvement of the private sector  
2.19 On 22 April 2021, at the margins of the meeting of the TFC, the Global Express Association 
(GEA), which represents DHL, FedEx and UPS, organized a webinar to which the Committee was 
invited."  
The subject of the report is the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. This particular 
activity is not an official activi ty of the Committee, and not covered by the Agreement. So far, how 
the private sector can be involved in the committee is still under discussion by Members, so it has 
no relevance to the subject of the report.  
EU comment : Discussions in the CTF meeting of 22 September 2021 could lead to a 
merged text integrating comments made with the view to reach compromise.  
G/TFA/W/52  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from Norw ay 
"Stakeholder consultations and engagement are important for the well -functioning of the 
Agreement within each member’s territory. How the private sector can be involved in the Trade 
facilitation Committee is still under discussion by Members. However, on 22 April 2021, at the 
margins of the meeting of the TFC, the Global Express Association (GEA), which represents DHL, 
FedEx and UPS, organized a webinar to which the Committee was invited. " 
G/TFA/W/69  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
B  MEMBERS ' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION I OF THE TFA  UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE 
CTF 
Proposal from Australia , Brazil , Canada , Colombia , Ecuador , the European Union , 
Iceland , Japan , Republic of Korea , Mexico , Montenegro , New Zealand , North  Macedonia , 
Norway , Singapore , Switzerland , the Separate Customs  Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen And Matsu , Thailand , Turkey , the United Kingdom , the United States and 
Uruguay . 
Supporting the timely and efficient release of global goods through accelerated implementation of 
the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
G/TFA/W/25/Rev.7  (Document series G/TFA/W/25 ) 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from Brazil, Costa Rica, European Union, Norway, Switzerland and the United 
States  
WTO Members should utilize the tools afforded to them in TFA Article 10.1 to review their trade 
requirements and minimize unnecessary and costly formalities, including consularization 
requirements. National Trade Facilitat ion Committees (NTFCs) can look to the private sector as a 
critical and important first step in identifying needless bottlenecks. The private sector and 
Members have identified consularization requirements as one such bottleneck because it fails to 
contrib ute to legitimate customs -related processes. Therefore, during this time of economic global 
crisis, we call on Members to eliminate consularization requirements to fulfil their TFA Article 10.1 
commitment to reduce and eliminated unnecessary and costly for malities.  
EU comment : This proposal could also be placed in the section on COVID -19 related 
sharing of experiences, as the importance of suppressing consulari zation has increased 
during the pandemic. A flexible approach on where to list the various proposals will be 
needed.  
G/TFA/W/38/Rev.3  (Docume nt series G/TFA/W/38 ) and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Proposal from the Russian Federation  
Add the following text:  
"For the maintenance of transparency of Members' notifications of official places where information 
under Arti cle 1 of TFA is published, the Secretariat shall annually monitor the operability of these 
places (links) related, namely, to the implementation of Article 1.4 of TFA, and circulate the 
request to appropriate Members to update this information where such l inks have been identified 
as broken."  
EU comment : The EU is co -sponsor to document G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1 and proposes to 
instead mention the revised proposal earlier in the text.  
G/TFA/W/47  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the Russian Federation  
Add the following text:  
"For the maintenance of transparency of Members' notifications of official places where information 
under Article 1 of TFA is published, the Secretariat shall annually monitor the operability of these 
places (links) related, namely, to the implementation of Article 1.4 of TFA, and circulate the 
request to appropriate Members to update this information where such links have been identified 
as broken."  
G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1  (24 September)  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
The reporting by the TFC to the Council on Trade in Goods on transparency measures could contain 
a column indicating for each Members if notified links are no longer working. This would complete 
the reporting and would draw the attention of the concerned Members on the need to update the  
links.  
EU comment : This proposal  could serve to  compleme nt the Russian Federation/EU 
proposal, depending on the outcome of the discussions in the Committee on the 
document G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1.  
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 6  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
The EU suggests that when the private sector comments on TFA implementation, that they are 
invited to inform, to the extent possible, wheth er the transparency notifications are sufficient, as 
these notifications aim primarily to help SMEs and traders to comply with their obligations.  
EU comment : The US Brazil proposal on business engagement is more comprehensive 
and would make this proposal less pertinent if  the US Brazil document 
G/TFA/W/42/Rev.1 were adopted.  
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 7  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Proposal from Brazil  
With the intention of improving the implementation of the provisions related to customs 
cooperation, provided for in Article 12 of the Agreement on Tra de Facilitation of the WTO, Brazil 
would like to encourage customs to implement the exchange, by electronic means, of information 
and data that are normally provided to them by traders involved in foreign trade operations.  
Therefore, we encourage those mem bers that already have international agreements with this 
type of provision to consider the implementation of bilateral mechanisms for the advance 
electronic transmission of data from their export declarations and the automatic and regular 
exchange of data  on their imports and exports, for risk management purposes. Likewise, while 
there are no multilateral agreements in that regard, we encourage the other members to pursue 
this kind of bilateral agreements.  
Given the diversity of members, whether in relatio n to specific interests or to their levels of 
technological capacity, Brazil understands that the set of data to be exchanged, the timing, form 
and frequency should be agreed upon by the respective customs.  
G/TFA/W/51 , paras. 7 -9 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
In addition, proposals were made specifically with regards to transparency notifications 
(G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1) and with regards to implementation of category B and C commitments 
(G/TFA/W/46).  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3  SECTION II OF THE TFA  
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
3.1  Notifications under Section II of the TFA  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
The addition of a brief analysis of tables would further add value.  
G/TFA/W/59 , para. 2.2  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
The information regularly presented during the TFC by the WTO Secretariat under the agenda item 
"1.2 Status of ratification and notification process, update by the WTO Secretariat" should be 
reflected and included in the report.  
The information that will be pr esented at the last TFC before the conclusion of the review should 
be used. This would facilitate an understanding of what has been achieved and what remains to 
be done, notably in the area of notifications and ratification of the TFA.  
The WTO Secretariat could already include placeholders in the draft report, with appropriate 
references to the latest presentations made by the Secretariat at the last meetings of the TFC.  
Moreover, the achievement by almost all Members (except the four that have not yet rati fied the 
Agreement) of categorizing their commitments should be highlighted.  
EU comment : The EU understood at the informal TFC meeting of 22 September that the 
WTO  Secretariat is going to provide a text. The EU is looking forward to this input. 
Therefore, the EU does not propose a text.  
G/TFA/W/49 , paras. 7 -8 and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Include a table in section 3 of the report on the number of LDC  Member  notifications under 
categories A, B, and C by article, with analysis of provisions most LDC  Members  have notified in 
the same category. This could give Members an idea of those articles LDC  Members  share in 
common within the relevant categories.  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.3 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
It could be useful to include in the factual report a separate section on LDC  Members  with a brief 
assessment of both challenges and achievements. The development of a section on LDC  Members  
might have lessons learnt on what worked and existing gaps. This could assist in easily identifying 
the situation of the LDC  Members  in TFA implementa tion and areas for collaboration.  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.8 
Proposal under consideration  by the CTF  
 
3.1.1   Notifications by Members under Articles 15 and 16  
3.1.  Developing and least-developed  country Members invoking the special flexibilities contained in 
Section II of the TFA are required to notify the Committee in accordance with Articles 15 and 16 of 
the TFA. The timeline for notification obl igations under Articles 15 and 16 is outlined in Table 5.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Include a table in section 3 of the report on the number of LDC  Member s notifications under 
categories A, B, and C by article, with analysis of provisions most LDC  Members  have notified in 
the same category. This could give Members an idea of those articles LDC  Members  share in 
common within the relevant categories. This could provide a sense  of the provisions different L DC 
Members  see as the most difficult or requiring assistance under category C.  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.3 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
Table 5: Timeline of Notification Obligations under Articles 15 and 16 of the TFA 
2017  
22 February  Developing Members  • Notify designations of categories A, B 
and/or C  
• Provide indicative implementation dates for 
category B and category C designations  
• Provide TACB requirements for category C 
designations  
2018  
22 February  Developing Members  • Provide definitive dates for category B 
designations  
• Provide information on arrangements 
entered with Donors on TACB for category 
C designations  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Notify designations of categories A, B 
and/or C  
• May notify indicative implementation dates 
for category B designations  
22 February  Donor Members  • Provide information on arrangements 
entered with developing Members on TACB 
for category C designations  
2019  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide TACB requirement for category C 
designations  
22 August  Developing Members  • Provide definitive implementation dates for 
category C designations  
• Inform of progress in TACB provision for 
category C designations  
22 August  Donor Members  • Inform of progress in TACB provision for 
category C designations of developing 
Members  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 17 - 
 
  2020  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide definitive dates for category B 
designations  
2021  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide indicative dates for category C 
designations  
• Provide information on arrangements 
entered with Donors on TACB for category 
C designations  
22 February  Donor Members  • Provide information on arrangements 
entered with LDC Member s on TACB for  
category  C designations  
 
 
2022  
22 August  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide definitive dates for category C 
designations  
• Inform of progress in TACB provision for 
category C designations  
22 August  Donor Members  • Inform of progress in TACB provision  for 
category C  designations of LDC  Member s 
 
Status of Notifications under Articles 15 and 16  
Table 6: Category A B C Designations  
ABC Designations  Overall  Developing  Members  LDC Member s 
Notification Timeline  22/02/2017  22/02/2018  
Number of developing 
and LDC Members  125 90 35 
Members that have 
presented ALL 
designations  119 95% 8710 87% 3211 91% 
Members that have NOT 
presented ANY 
designations  4 4% 112 2% 313 9% 
Members that have 
presented SOME 
designations  2 2% 214 2% 0 0% 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of [xx] . 
 
10 Albania; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Armenia; Kingdom of Bahrain; Barbados; Belize; 
Plurinational State of Bolivia; Botswana; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Cabo Verde; Cameroon; Chile; China; 
Colombia; Congo; Costa Rica; Cote d'Ivoire; Cuba; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecua dor; Egypt; El 
Salvador; Kingdom of Eswatini; Fiji; Gabon; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Hong 
Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Israel; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; Kyrgyz 
Republic; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mal dives; Mauritius; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; 
Morocco; Namibia; Nicaragua; Nigeria; North Macedonia; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; Papua New Guinea; 
Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Gre nadines; Samoa; 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Seychelles; Singapore; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Suriname; The Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Tajikistan; Thailand; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tunisia; 
Turkey; Ukraine; United Arab E mirates; Uruguay; Vanuatu; Viet Nam; Zimbabwe.  
11 Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, 
Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, The Gambia, Guinea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, 
Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, 
Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia . 
12 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela . 
13 Guinea -Bissau, Haiti, Yemen . 
14 The State of Kuwait,  Qatar . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Table 7: Notifications and expired deadlines under Articles 15 and 16  
Notifications and 
expired deadlines  Developing Members  Least -developed  
country Members  Total Outstanding 
Notifications  
ABC Designations  22/02/2017  22/02/2018  [6] 
[3] [3] 
Category B indicative 
dates   22/02/2018  [1] 
Category B definitive 
dates  22/02/2018  22/02/2020  [8] 
 [1] [2] 
Extension agreed to 
21/02/2021   [5] 
Category C indicative 
dates  22/08/2019   [3] 
[3]  
Category C definitive 
dates  22/02/2021  N/A15 [2] 
[2]  
Category C TA 
requirements  22/02/2017  22/02/2019  [10] 
[4] [6] 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of [xx].  
Table 8: Forthcoming Notification Deadline under Article 16  
Notification  Deadline  Members  Notifications received 
by [31 Oct 2021]  
Category C definitive 
dates  22/08/2022  Least -developed  country 
Members  [816] 
Source : Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of [xx].  
3.2.  During the period under review, much of the Committee's work was f ocused on the receipt of 
notifications submitted by Members under those two Articles.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Under the para 3.2, i t would be appreciated if a summary of constraints and achievements of LDC  
Members  could be incorporated in the draft for a general understanding on the issues and 
challenges faced and lessons of what has worked to resolve challenges. The section could 
commence with the following drawn from our submission for the review G/TFA/W/58.  
Insert the following text:  
"The LDC Group has reported challenges and achievements so far in G/TFA/W/58 based on an 
internal survey that it devised and conducted. Based on the information received so far and 
information from the WTO Secretariat, most LDC Members  completed notification obligations. In 
many cases, LDC Members  are doing better than what was expected in terms of notifications. 
However, there are a number of LDC Members  that require extensions of time as indicated in 
parag raph 3.7 of the factual report. However, effective implementation of all the measures notified 
under the category C measures by the LDC Members  is important but challenging. Therefore, 
additional support from donor Members is desired in the areas of implementation of the measures 
identified under category C. The gaps in technical and financial support still exist.  
Initial problems were found in understanding the Agreement, which impacted the categorization 
process, the establishment of the National Tr ade Facilitation Committee, as well as involvement 
of various relevant departments responsible for the corresponding provisions. Assistance from 
various institutions and partners as well as the organization of the regular session on technical 
assistance an d capacity building mechanism helped Members to overcome these challenges. 
Moreover, for some, the process of gradually adapting the laws and procedures also contributed 
to understanding of the agreement. Provisions most difficult or easier to implement so  far varied 
among Members but some provisions were common to a number of Members. Staff training and 
capacity building remain imperative for sustained implementation. Continuous reform and 
 
15 Deadline for notification of category C definitive dates for Least -developed  country Members is 22 
August 2022.  
16 Angola, Benin, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia.  Central 
African Republic has notified some ca tegory C definitive dates.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 19 - 
 
  modernization of customs administration, and cooperation among all stakeholders were also 
highlighted. For the support received by those who submitted responses, it is clear that different 
institutional and bilateral assistance were helpful. Methods used by some LDC Members to resolve 
difficulties included workshops, inte ractions, and regular monitoring.  
Turning to the perceptions of LDC  Member  traders on the impact of the TFA, indeed improvements 
were cited in transparency of measures, automation, streamlined procedures, and cooperation 
among actors in the supply chain; o perationalization of single window; and 24/7 operation of port 
services were also commended. On the other hand, LDC  Member  traders also noted some 
difficulties while interacting with some relevant agencies in trade facilitation, which had not yet 
joined th e single window. Similarly, SPS and TBT standards in markets abroad remained 
problematic; infrastructure problems such as condition of roads, ICT infrastructure, trade logistics, 
and transit problems, among others were also mentioned as constraints. Some d esired 
improvements cited by LDC  Member s included:  
• The facilitation of LDC Member exports into other markets, transparency of rules in 
those markets, and the release of those goods in the destination markets are needed.  
• Problems are still faced in transit cases where Article 11.2 is yet to be observed and 
challenges remain on the release of LDC Member goods in other markets.  
• Reduction of non -tariff barriers including more transparent and supportive SPS and 
TBT measures of trading partners are expected.  
• Capacity constraints, technology constraints, and limited awareness, among others 
are hindering implementation of TFA in most LDC Members . 
• The gaps in assistance are now much concentrated to implementation of category C 
provisions.  
• Effective implementation of those category C measures has a strong connection with 
significant additional support from development partners in terms of resource, 
technological, institutional and human capacity building.  
• In this context, donor Members are encouraged to extend addition al support in 
implementation of category C provisions in the LDC Member s mainly based on the 
technical assistance requirement notification and consultations in respective capitals.  
• Additionally, landlocked least-developed country Members  have further diffi culties, 
especially within their territory, to develop and maintain sufficient trade 
infrastructure including ICT infrastructure.  
• Trade facilitation for LDC Members requires bridging a huge digital gap and the 
connection of the entire domestic business wit h an ICT system and e -commerce and 
then linked with the cross -border trade."  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.5 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.3.  Chart 3 indicates that the highest number of notifications containing this in formation was 
received in 2019, followed by 2018. During the period under review, all but two Members17 submitted 
their definitive dates for implementation of category B designations and C designations.  
 
17 Djibouti and Mauritania.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 20 - 
 
  Chart 3: Category A, B and C notifications per year  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
3.4.  Chart 4 shows the disaggregation of notifications by category. When the data is disaggregated 
by groupings, Chart 5 indicates that the share of items in category A is higher in developing 
Members , while LDC Members  have assigned more provisions in category C.  
Chart 4: Share of Categories, A, B, C  
Based on % of all notifiable article items  Chart 5: Share of Categories, A, B, C by 
grouping  
Based on % of all notifiable article items  
  
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
3.5.  Notification s by Members of their A,  B, C categorization indicate that globally the top five 
measures notified in category A are: pre -shipment inspection (Article 10.5); movement of goods 
(Article 9); detention (Article 5.2); use of customs brokers (Article 10.6); and , and temporary 
admission of goods (article 10.9). See Chart 6. 
3.6.  The five measures least notified in category A are: risk management (Article 7.4); border 
agency cooperation (Article 8); test procedures (Article 5.3); authorized operators (Article 7.7); and 
the single window (Article 10.4) See Chart 7. 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Chart 6: Top five  measures with highest 
categorization in A  Chart 7: Bottom five measures with 
lowest categorization in A  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Add a table to reflect the number of LLDC Member notifications under categories A, B, and C on 
an article -by-article basis plus the common articles notified under each category. This may be 
releva nt in identifying the most difficult provisions to implement in various LLDC  Member s' 
experience or those requiring assistance under category C.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Add a table to reflect the number of LLDC Member notifications under categories A, B, and C on 
an article -by-article basis plus the common articles notified under each cat egory. This may be 
relevant in identifying the most difficult provisions to implement in various LLDC  Member s' 
experience or those requiring assistance under category C.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.1.2   Requests for extension of the deadline for the notification of definitive dates for 
category B measures by LDC Members  
3.7.  In 2020, nine LDC  Members notified requests for an extension of the deadline for the 
notification of definitive dates for category B measures.18 Between 13 to 22 February 2020, seven 
LDC Members requested an extension. The Committee met on 20 February 2020 in order t o make a 
decision before the 22 February 2020 deadline. Subsequently, the Committee received two further 
notifications of requests for extension on 21 February 2020 and the Committee held a second 
meeting on 28  February.19 The Committee agreed to all nine requests for an extension of the 
deadline.20 As of [ 31 October] 2021, two of the nine requesting Members have not notified their 
definitive dates for category B measures .21 
3.8.  The notification data for 2020 includ es the requests for an extension.  
 
18 LDC Members may request the Committee to grant an extension of the deadline to submit its 
definitive dates for category B under article 16:2 (b) of the TFA.  
19 The meetings of 20 and 28 February were c onvened under Rule 2 of the Rules of Procedure for 
meetings of the General Council, which through its own rules of procedure, apply mutatis mutandis to the TFC.  
20 Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Lao PDR, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Sol omon 
Islands.  
21 Djibouti and Mauritania . 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 22 - 
 
  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert the following text:  
"As of [31 October] 2021, the rate of implementation commitments of the TFA by LLDC  Members  
stands at [xx] per cent. LLDC Members  have been successful in the implementation of articles 
10.5 on preshipment inspection ([xx]%), 5.2 on detention ([xx]%), 9 on movement of goods 
([xx]%), 10.6 on use of customs brokers ([xx]%), 10.9 on temporary admiss ion of goods and 
inward and outward processing ([xx]%), 10.8 on rejected goods ([xx]%) and 10.7 on common 
border procedures ([xx]%) with implementation commitment rates above [xx] per cent.  
However, articles 10.4 on single window ([xx]%), 5.3 on test proce dures ([xx]%), 7.7 on 
authorized operators ([xx]%), 8 on border agency cooperation ([xx]%), 7.4 on risk management 
([xx]%), 1.3 on enquiry points ([xx]%), 7.8 on expedited shipments ([xx]%), 1.2 on information 
available through internet ([xx]%), 3 on advan ce rulings ([xx]%), 7.6 on average release times 
([xx]%) and 10.3 on use of international standards ([xx]%) lag behind in LLDC Members  with 
implementation commitment rates below [xx]%.  
One of the key provisions of the TFA for the LLDC Members  is Article 11  on Freedom of Transit. 
Notifications on Article 11 show that LLDC Members  are committed to have implemented [xx]% 
of obligations. [xx]% of Article 11 obligations are committed to be implemented after a transition 
period and a further [xx]% are committed t o be implemented after the acquisition of capacity 
through technical assistance. In the case of the transit developing Members  these figures are 
[xx]%, [xx]% and [xx]%, respectively."  
(See Table 1. Rate of Implementation Commitments by LLDC Members  in docu ment G/TFA/W/53 ) 
EU comment : EU notes the comments made during CTF the informal meeting 22 
September 2021.  
G/TFA/W/53 , paras. 2 i -ii, vi and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
3.1.3   Notifications on technical assistan ce and capacity building support for category C 
designations  
3.9.  Article 16 requires that Members provide three notifications regarding technical assistance and 
capacity building (TACB) for category C designations: notification by Members of TACB requirements 
for implementation of their category C designations; notification of information on arrangements 
entered into with Donors; and notification of progress in TACB provision.  
3.10.   Over the review period, 85 Members notified the TACB support that was re quired in order to 
implement their category C designations , while 3 Members notified some of the TACB that they 
required . Taking into account all notifications, the top three needs identified by Members were with 
respect to (1) human resources and training ; (2) assistance in amending laws or regulations or 
implementing new ones; and (3) information and communication technologies (ICTs).  See Chart 8.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 23 - 
 
  Chart 8: Type of technical assistance required  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Include a chart identifying the type of technical assistance required by LLDC Members to 
demonstrate a clear picture of LLDC  Members ' priority.  
G/TFA/W /53, para. 1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert the following text:  
"LLDC Members  have identified human resources and training, legislative and regulatory 
frameworks, and information and communication technologies, infrastructure and equipment, 
institutional procedures, awareness -raising, diagnostic and needs assessment as their primar y 
concerns, in order of importance. " 
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 2 iii  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Chart 8 represents the type of technical assistance required based on the notifications. It would 
be appreciated if LDC  Member  specific information could also be presented in th is Chart.  
G/TFA/W/59 /Rev.1 , para. 2.7 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.11.   Over the review period, notifications of information on arrangements entered into with donors 
plus notifications on progress made on TACB comprised [xx] notifications from developing Members  
and [xx] notifications from least-developed  country Members. See Table 9. 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
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  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert the following text:  
"[ ] LLDC Members have notified donor arrangements and technical assistance progress. " 
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 2 v  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
3.12.   In accordance with Article 16, donors are also required to submit a notification on TACB; [[xx] 
donor Members have submitted notifications under this obligation].  
Table 9: Number of donor arrangements and progress notifications received per year, 
per grouping  
Years  Developing Member s Least  Developed Country  
Members  
2019 1 1 
2020 4 1 
2021 [ ] [ ] 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
At the time of finalising the report, X Members  have notified the assistance provided and the gaps 
if any that remain to be filled. Given that this number X (ab ove mentioned) is small in value 
compared to the total number (Y to be set by WTO Secretariat) of Members that notified category 
C commitments, the EU and the US made a proposal (document G/TFA/W/45/Rev.1) offering to 
facilitate, on request of the Members concerned, pertinent coordination meetings of all potential 
donors so as to facilitate the identification of gaps and of means to fill these gaps.  
EU justification for adding this text : The EU is of the view that the number of Members  
that notified category C and also reported on aid received as well as where pertinent on 
gaps in aid should be reported as it is a key information allowing donors to see where 
gaps exist.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.1.4   Notifications under Article 17  
3.13.   In 2020, the Committee received six requests for an extension of definitive dates for 
implementation of category B and C commitments under Ar ticle 17 of the TFA ("Early Warning 
Mechanism"). Requests submitted by three Members22 did not exceed 18 months. In line with 
Article  17.2 of the TFA, the requested extensions were therefore  automatically granted without any 
further action by the Committee.  
3.14.   One request from a Member23 was for an extension of its implementation date exceeding 
18 months. This request was considered by the Committee, as indicated in Article 17.4 , and granted.  
3.15.   Requests from two Members24 for an extension to their implementation dates were submitted 
after the deadline set out in Article 17.1 of the TFA, which requires requests to be notified to the 
Committee no later than 120 days for developing Members  and 90 days  for least-developed  countr y 
Members  before the expiration of the previously notified implementation date. There was no 
consensus in the Committee to approve the requests.  In order to avoid repetition of such situations, 
the Committee was of the view that a tool such as the document G/TFA/INF/1 provided by the WTO 
Secretariat is of added value.  
 
22 Nicaragua ( G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2 ), Pakistan ( G/TFA/N/PAK/1/Add.3 ) and the Philippines 
(G/TFA/N/PHL/1/Add.1 ). 
23 St. Kitts and Nevis ( G/TFA/N/KNA/1/Add.1 ). 
24 Bahrain ( G/TFA/N/BHR/1/Add.1 ) and Samoa ( G/TFA/N/WSM/1/Add.2 ). G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 25 - 
 
  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
In order to avoid repetition of such situations, the Committee was of the view that a tool such as 
the document INF/1 provided by the WTO Secretariat is of added value.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.16.   In 2021, [three] requests were received from Members25 which did not adhere to the deadline 
set out in Article 17.1. There was no consensus in the Committee to approve the requests.  
Table 10: Status of notifications under Article 17 – Extension of Implementation Dates  
Extension of 
Implementation Dates  Overall Membership  Developing Member s Least -Developed 
Country Member  
Number of Members that 
have requested 
extension of time of 
already notified definitive 
dates  [21] [21] [] 
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
with extended definitive 
dates  [5] [5] [] 
Number of extension 
requests received per 
measure  [71] [71] [] 
Number of extension 
requests applied per 
measures  [33] [33] [] 
Number of extension 
requests pending per 
measure  [17] [17] [] 
Number of extension 
requests not applied per 
measure  [21] [21] [] 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( https://tfadatabase.org/notifications/extension -of-
implementatio n-dates ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of [xx].  
3.17.   A document tracking implementation dates from 1 May 2021 to 31 December 2022 was 
circulated in document G/TFA/INF/1 as a reminder to Members.  This document will be updated on 
an annual  basis until all notified implementation dates have passed . 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Shifts in categories and requests for extension of timelines should be reported.  
EU comment : The EU is looking for the text to be provided by the Secretariat as agreed 
at the meeting of 22 September 2021.  
G/TFA/W/49 , para. 9  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
 
25 Ukraine ( G/TFA/N/UKR/1/Add.3 ), Peru ( G/TFA/N/PER/1/Add.1 ) and Tonga ( G/TFA/N/TON/1/Add.3 ). G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 26 - 
 
  3.1.5   Notifications under Article 19 of the TFA  
Table 11: Status of Notifications Under Article 19 - Shifting of categories  
Category Shifts  Overall Membership  Developing Member s Least -Developed 
Country Member  
Members  
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
from B to C  [17] [7] [10] 
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
from B to C  [19] [14] [5] 
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
with extended definitive 
dates  [5] [5] [0] 
Measures  
Number of measures 
shifted between 
categories  [95] [55] [40] 
Number of measures 
shifted from B to C  [38] [16] [22] 
Number of measures 
shifted from C to B  [57] [39] [18] 
Number of measures 
shifted with extended 
definitive dates  [11] [11] [0] 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( https://tfadatabase.org/category -shifts ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of [xx].  
 
3.1.6   Notifications under Article 22  of the TFA  
3.18.   Article 22.1 and 22.2 of the TFA  require donor Members to notify information regarding their 
technical assistance arrangements and the process and mechanisms to receive assistance. 
Article  22.3 requires beneficiary Members to notify contact details with regard to technical 
assistance.  
3.19.   Over the period of the review, [xx] donor Members submitted [xx] notifications and [xx] 
developing Members submitted [xx] notifications under Articles 22.1 and 22.2. [xx] LDC  Members 
submitted [xx] notifications under Article 22.3.  
Table 12: Status of Notifications on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building under 
Article 22  
Article 22.1  Article 22.2  Article 22.3  
Notification of support for 
capacity building disbursed by 
Donor Members  Notification of process and 
mechanisms to obtain 
assista nce from Donor 
Members  Notification of Contact points 
by Developing and Least -
developed  country Members  
[17] [11] [51] 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of [xx].  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 27 - 
 
  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert the following text:  
"In relation to aid-for trade -flows to LLDC  Member s: since 2006, LLDC  Members  have received 
close to USD 85 billion in aid -for-trade disbursements. In 2019, LLDC  Member s, received 
disbursements of USD 7.7 billion, slightly less than in 2018 (USD 8.0 billion). Yet, at 17%,  the 
share of Aid for Trade going to LLDC  Member s as compared to global disbursements has been 
relatively stable since 2017. " 
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 2  (iv) 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
3.2  Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  
3.20.   Over the period of the review, [xx] Members have shared their experiences or made 
statements on matters under Section II relating to implementation of the TFA and/or issues 
concerning capacity building. These Members are Afghanistan; Brazil; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; 
Egypt; El Salvador; Eswatini; European Union; Finland; Germany; Guatemala; Jamaica; Japan; 
Lao PDR; Moldova; Mongolia; Nepal; Netherlands; North  Macedonia; Paraguay; Rwanda; 
Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Spain; Sweden; United Kingdom; United States; 
Viet Nam and Zambia.  
3.21.   [Pending drafting on NTFC Experience Sharing from EU comment on Tables 15 and 16] . 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
In its statements in the dedicated session on aid and in other meetings of the CTF, the EU has 
stressed the importance of coordination of aid and that aid must be primarily addressed and 
discussed/organised in the concerned Member . The EU has stressed also that its programming of 
aid covers several years which should facilitate the coordination with other donors at Member  
level.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.22.   Over the review period, a number of Annex D+ partner organizations regularly updated the 
Committee at its meetings of their work to support implementation of the Agreement by Members . 
In 202026 and in 202127 they provided these updates in a written report.  
3.23.   In addition, the GATF also made a number of presentations on their initiatives relative to TFA 
implementation at the meetings of 12 -13 February 2019; 25 June 2019; 20 -22 October 2020, 
22-23 April 2021 [and xx]. The presentations made by Annex D+ partner organizations are listed in 
Annex 1 , Table 2 . 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert a summary of common issues and constraints of LLDC  Member s for the general 
understanding of the issues and challenges faced by such a group of countries.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 3  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.3  Article 21:4: Dedicated Sessions on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building  
3.24.   Article 21.4 of the TFA provides that the Committee shall hold at least one dedicated session 
per year to: (a) discuss any problems regarding implementation of provisions of the TFA; (b) review 
progress in the provision of assistance and support for capaci ty building to support the 
implementation of the TFA, including any developing or LDC  Members not receiving adequate 
assistance and support for capacity building; (c) share experiences and information on ongoing 
assistance and support for capacity building  and implementation programs, including challenges and 
 
26 G/TFA/W/29 . 
27 G/TFA/W/39 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 28 - 
 
  successes; (d) review donor notifications as set forth in Article 22 of the TFA; and (e) review the 
operation of Article 21 of the TFA.  
3.25.   During the period under review four annual dedicated sessions hav e taken place. (See Table 
13 for a list of presentations and statements made during these sessions, where available.) The first 
dedicated session was held on 3 May 2018. The United States delivered presentations in connection 
with the subject matter under Article 21.4(a) and (b) of the TFA. With regard to Article 21.4(c) of 
the TFA, presentations and other contributions were made by Colombia; the European Union 
(including interventions by  Germany , Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom  and Sweden  on their 
bilateral programmes)  on behalf of the European Union ; the United States; and Viet Nam. Finally, 
Australia presented a donor notification as referenced under Article 21.4(d), and the United States 
intervened with respect to support for LDC Members as  referenced under Article 21.4(e) of the TFA.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
"Several EU member States shared experiences that complemented the EU presentations"  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.26.   A second dedicated session was held on 16 October 2019. Following the structure of 
Article  21.4 of the TFA, the Chair organized the session by first inviting exchanges on any 
implementation problems, a review of progress in the provisions of assistance and support for 
capacity buildings, and the sharing of experiences and information on ongoing assistance and 
support for capacity building and implementation pro grams. With regard to these issues, the 
following Members  made presentations or shared certain information: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cote 
d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Lao PDR, Mauritius, 
Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru,  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and 
Tobago, Uruguay, and Zambia. In addition, Jamaica made a presentation  on behalf of  CARICOM,  
and Nepal  intervened  on behalf of the LDC Group.  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual re port from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
"Several EU member States shared experiences that complemented the EU presentations"  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.27.   Presentations pertaining to the review of donor notifications as set forth in Article 22 of 
the TFA were made by the European Union and by several EU member countries  (including 
interventions by  Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom  on their bilateral 
programmes) . At the invitation of the European Union, the Committee also heard a contribution  from 
the WCO.  
3.28.   Summaries of these presenta tions can be found in the minutes for the 16 October 2019 
meeting as set out at pages 27 -45 of G/TFA/M/9 .28 
3.29.   The third dedicated session was held on 22 Oc tober 2020. As during the second session, 
Committee Members were  invited to exchange on several matters listed under Article 21.4 of 
the TFA, including any implementation problems, a review of progress in the provisions of assistance 
and support for capacity building, and the sharing of experiences and information on ongoing 
assistance and support for capacity building and implementation pr ograms. With regard to these 
issues, the following Members made presentations or shared certain information: Canada; China; 
Ecuador; Eswatini; the European Union; (including interventions by Finland; France ; Japan ; the 
Netherlands; Sweden on their bilatera l programmes); Japan; Paraguay ; Sweden ; and the United 
Kingdom. A  presentation was also made by Saint Lucia on behalf of the  OECS.  
 
28 No presentations were made pertaining to the review and operation of Article 21:2 of the TFA.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 29 - 
 
  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
"Several EU member States shared experiences that complemented the EU presentations " 
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.30.   Summaries of these presentations  and contributions  are provided in greater detail in the 
minutes for the 22 October 2020 meeting as set out at pages 27 -39 of G/TFA/M/13 . During its 
regular meeting,  the Committee took note of donor notifications under Article 22 of the TFA from 
Australia; Canada; Japan; and the United States.29 With regard to recent and upcoming activities, 
the Committee heard statements from Brazil, Nepal (on behalf of the LDC Group ), the United  States, 
as well as a presentation by G ATF, as set out at pages 39 -42 of G/TFA/M/13 . 
3.31.   The fourth dedicated Session was held on 21 October 20 21. During this session, [xx].  
Table 13: Presentations by Members under the Dedicated Sessions  
Member  Title Committee 
meeting  
European Union  Statement by the European Union  15-16 October 2019  
Statement by the European Union  20-22 October 2020  
Eswatini, Kingdom of  Trade Facilitation Programme and Trade Facilitation 
Information Portal ETIP  20-22 October 2020  
Finland  Finland statement  20-22 October 2020  
France  France statement  20-22 October 2020  
Germany  Ongoing Assistance and Support - Germany  2-3 May 2018  
Jamaic a CARICOMs implementation experience Jamaica on behalf 
of CARICOM  15-16 October 2019  
Lao People's Democratic 
Republic  Trade Facilitation in Lao - key achievements and 
challenges  15-16 October 2019  
Netherlands, The  The Netherlands statement  20-22 October 2020  
Saint Lucia  OECS report  20-22 October 2020  
Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines  Presentation by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 
Trade Facilitation  15-16 Octob er 2019  
Spain  Technical assistance from Spain in the framework of the 
WCO MERCATOR Programme  15-16 October 2019  
Sweden  Ongoing Assistance and Support - Sweden  2-3 May 2018  
 Sweden statement  20-22 October 2020  
United Kingdom  Trade Facilitation UK Statement  15-16 October 2019  
United States  Trade Facilitation Agreement Notifications as Tools for 
Demand Driven Assistance Conversations  2-3 May 2018  
United States Approach to Trade Facilitation Assistance  
United States Department of Agriculture Trade 
Facilitation Agreement Related Technical Assistance  
Commercial Law Development Program – Contribution By 
The United States  
United  States/  
Viet Nam Project Support for TFA implementation in Vietnam  2-3 May 2018  
Zambia  Support from cooperating partners and Zambia's 
achievements in the implementation of the TFA  15-16 October 2019  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
The EU has spoken at all dedicated sessions on aid so this should be reflected. EU already in dicated 
that it was ready to share the lines it took if needed.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
29 G/TFA/M/13 , pp. 15 -16. No presentations were made pertaining to the review and operation of 
Article  21:2 of the TFA.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 30 - 
 
  3.4  Written submissions by Members regarding Section II  
3.32.   One Member, the United States, circulated a written submission in document G/TFA/W/15  in 
relation to Articles 16 and 24.  
B  MEMBERS ' PROPOSALS UNDER SEC TION II OF THE TFA  UNDER CONSIDERATION BY 
THE CTF  
Proposal from the European Union and the United States  
Proposal for invigorating  the coordination  process  to identify  the need for future  assistance in the 
framework of the four -year review of the Trade Facilitation  Agreement:  
[…] that beneficiary countries with category C commitments organize meetings with donors in 
capital, to review the state of assistance and potential future needs. Beneficiary countries are 
invited to share the outcome of these meetings with the Trade Facilitation Committee by 
mid-October 2021.  
Note: This proposal was relocated to Section 8 "Recommendations" . 
TFA/W/45/Rev.1 , para. 5 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from Japan  
Proposal to follow up actual status of implementation of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation 
as part of its four -year review:  
First, in order to provide support for Members to better manage their implementation plans, Japan 
proposes that the Committee review the effectivene ss of the list of definitive dates prepared by 
the WTO secretariat ( G/TFA/INF/1 ) on a regular basis (e.g. once a year) . …It is expected that the 
Committee could improve the list and the methods for circulating the list by reflecting feedback 
from Members in order for the list to further contribute to this purpose.  
Second, Japan proposes that the Committee decide to make the follow ing recommended practice 
for Members who have successfully implemented category B or C provisions. That is, to submit 
subsequent follow -up notifications to confirm their actual implementation dates as seen in some 
Members' notifications, or to share their implementation experiences with the Committee while 
explicitly mentioning the provision they implemented, the notified definitive date and the actual 
implementation date. It should be noted that in contrast to category C provisions, the 
implementation of c ategory B provisions is handled by a notifying Member itself and it is difficult 
for other Members to know whether category B provisions have been implemented properly within 
a notified timeframe. Therefore, the Committee should encourage those Members who  have 
successfully implemented category B provisions in particular to take the actions above, including 
submission of subsequent notification.  
G/TFA/W/46  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 31 - 
 
  Proposal from Japan  
Japan would like to propose the following two ideas for consideration in the Committee during 
the Review.  
First, in order to provide support for Members to better manage their implementation plans, 
Japan proposes that the Committee review the effectiveness of the list of definitive dates 
prepared by the WTO sec retariat (G/TFA/INF/1) on a regular basis. The list aims to remind 
Members of their own definitive dates for category B and C so that those Members who face 
difficulties in implementing category B or C provisions can take appropriate actions as stipulated 
in Articles 17, 18 and 19 of the TFA. It is expected that the Committee could improve the list 
and the methods for circulating the list by reflecting feedback from Members in order for the list 
to further contribute to this purpose. Japan believes this wou ld promote better self -management 
by Members of their own implementation status and allow adequate monitoring by the TFC.  
Second, Japan proposes that the Committee recommend the following practice for Members 
whose implementation dates have passed for thei r category B or C provisions. That is, on a 
voluntary basis and for informational purposes only, to: (i) confirm the passing of 
implementation dates in any form or reporting (orally or in writing); [and/]or (ii) share their 
implementation experiences with the Committee while explicitly mentioning the provision they 
have implemented. Category B and category C provisions shall be implemented on the definitive 
dates as notified by Members as per Article 16.5 of the Agreement. The Committee could 
encourage thos e Members who have implemented category B provisions in particular to take the 
actions above. It should be noted that this proposal never intends to modify the Members ' 
obligations under the TFA.  
G/TFA/W/46 /Rev.1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
Notifications under Article 19  
Any notification of shifts in category should be discussed in TFCs  in a separate agenda item.  
EU comment : Following the indication that the WTO Secretariat will insert text in the 
review report that reflects the latest update of presentations made by the S ecretariat 
under agenda 1.2 of the CTF, the EU takes for granted that text will be provided 
regarding Member' shifting of categories.  
Note: Proposed by Chair to revert to this proposal when discussing Section 4B 
"Members' Proposals Under Section III of the  TFA under Consideration by the CTF".  
Note: Proposal moved to Section 4B.  
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 9  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
The EU would recommend that the respective Member seeking an extension presents information 
supporting its ' request and provides additional feedback if requested by the Committee. This is 
particularly important for notifications under Article 17 (3) with the dura tion of the extension 
requested of more than 18 months.  
EU comment : The EU has clarified that this proposal is to be seen as an encouragement.  
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 8  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 32 - 
 
  Proposal from the United Kingdom  
Proposal to agree on regularised agenda topics for the dedicated session on assistance and 
capacity building, within the parameters of Article 21.4.  
As part of this process, the United Kingdom proposes for consideration that the following items 
are discuss ed at every dedicated session henceforth:  
International and regional organisations and other agencies supporting the implementation of the 
TFA are invited to provide a report on the activities that they have delivered in the preceding 
twelve months. This s hould provide details on which Members they are supporting, the TFA articles 
they are helping to implement, and reflections on challenges and successes to enable improved 
future capacity building support.  
Members and organisations are invited to share expe riences on where synergies between capacity 
building programmes have benefited implementation of the TFA and consider where further 
collaboration and cooperation (including on a regional level) might best support a future 
implementation of specific Article s. 
Note: This proposal was relocated to Section 8 "Recommendations" and updated with 
revised text provided by the United Kingdom on 14 October.  
G/TFA/W/54 , para. 2.2  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
4  SECTION III OF THE TFA  
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
4.1  Ratifications30 
4.1.  During the period from 1 January 2014 to [31 October]  2021, [xx] Members ratified the 
Amendment Protocol to modify the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization 
and deposited their instruments of acceptance. As of [xx], [xx] Members are  yet to deposit their 
instruments of acceptance.  See Chart 9.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert the following text:  
"Out of 26 LLDCs that are members to WTO, all have ratified the TFA. " 
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 2 (i) 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
 
30 While the issue of ratification is not included in Section III of the TFA, this information has been 
included for the interest of Members.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 33 - 
 
  Chart 9: Number of ratifications per year  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
4.2  Article 23 Institutional Arrangements  
4.2.1   Article 23.1 Committee on Trade Facilitation  
4.2.  Following the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement on 22 February  2017, a 
Committee on Trade Facilitation was established in line with Article 23.1 of the Agreement.  
4.3.  At a meeting on 7 April 2017, the General Council (GC) took note of a statement by the Chair 
of the General Council, informing delegations of the consensus  on the appointment of Ambassador 
Daniel Blockert from Sweden as Chairperson of the TFC.  
4.4.  On 16 May 2017, the TFC held its inaugural session. The sole agenda item was the confirmation 
of the Chairperson -designate. Members formally elected Ambassador Blocker t (Sweden) as the first 
TFC Chair. Ambassador Blockert announced his intention to consult delegations on the Committee's 
rules of procedure and the organization of work. The TFC held two further meetings in 2017: on 
19 July and 3 November.  
4.5.  In 2018, the TFC  held three formal meetings: on 2 to 3 May ( G/TFA/M/4 ); on 26 June 
(G/TFA/M/5 ); and on 9 to 11 October ( G/TFA/M/6 ). The meeting of 2 and 3 May was chaired by 
Ambassador Daniel Blockert (Sweden) and the r emaining meetings were chaired by his successor, 
Ambassador Dalia Kadišiene (Lithuania), who was elected at the May meeting as Chair of the 
Committee for 2018.  
4.6.  In 2019, the TFC held three formal meetings: on 12 to 13 February ( G/TFA/M/7 ); on 25 to 
26 June ( G/TFA/M/8 ); and 15 to 16 October ( G/TFA/M/9 ). The meeting of 12 and 13 February was 
chaired by Ambassador Dalia Kadišiene and the remaining meetings were chaired by her successor 
Ambassador Mohammad Haq jo (Afghanistan) who was elected at the June meeting as Chair of the 
Committee for 2019.  
4.7.  In 2020, the TFC held four formal meetings: on 11 February ( G/TFA/M/10 ); on 20 February 
(G/TFA/M/11 ); on 28 Fe bruary ( G/TFA/M/12 ) and on 20 to 22 October ( G/TFA/M/13 ). The TFC held 
an informal meeting on 30 September. The meetings of 11, 20 and 28 of February were chaired by 
Ambassador Mohammad HAQJO. The remaining meetings were chaired by his successor Ambassador 
Katrina NAUT (Dominican Republic) who was elect ed on 30 July as Chair of the Committee for 2020. 
Ambassador Naut resigned as Chairperson in December 2020.  
4.8.  In 2021, the TFC held six formal meetings: 29 January 2021  (G/TFA/M/14 ) ; 22-23 March 2021  
G/TFA/M/15 ; 22-23 April 2021 G/TFA/M/16 , 22-23 June 2021  G/TFA/M/17 , 27-28 July 2021  
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 34 - 
 
  G/TFA/M/18 , 19-21 October 2021  [G/TFA/M/19] . The Committee held [seven] informal meetings 
during the year  – 13 January, 26 February, 22 June, 27 July, 22 September and 13 October . The 
informal meetings from June to October, inclusive , were dedicated to the four -year review of the 
TFA. Following the departure of Ambassador Naut in December 2020, the TFC meeting of 29  January 
was chaired on an ad hoc  basis by  the Chair of the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG), HE Mikael 
Anzén (Sweden). Mr. Christopher O'Toole (Canada) was then selected on 5 February 2021 as Interim 
Chair of the TFC through silent procedure.  On [x month], the Committee elected [person] as Chair 
of the Committee for 2021.  Mr O'Toole was subsequently elected Chairperson of the Committee for 
the year 2021 -2022 on 30 July 2021, through written procedures.  
Table 14: Trade Facilitation Committee Meetings and Minutes  2017 to 2021  
TFC Meeting  Minutes  
16 May 2017  G/TFA/M/1  
19 July 2017  G/TFA/M/2  
3 November 2017  G/TFA/M/3  
2-3 May 2018  G/TFA/M/4  
26 June 2018  G/TFA/M/5  
9-11 October 2018  G/TFA/M/6  
12-13 February 2019  G/TFA/M/7  
25-26 June 2019  G/TFA/M/8  
15-16 October 2019  G/TFA/M/9  
11 February 2020  G/TFA/M/10  
20 February 2020  G/TFA/M/11  
28 Februa ry 2020  G/TFA/M/12  
20-22 October 2020  G/TFA/M/1 3 
29 January 2021  G/TFA/M/14  
22-23 March 2021  G/TFA/M/15  
22-23 April 2021  G/TFA/M/16  
22-23 June 2021  G/TFA/M/17  
27-28 July 2021  G/TFA/M/18  
19-21 October 2021  G/TFA/M/19  
 
4.2.2   Rules of procedure of the Committee on Trade Facilitation  
4.9.  At its meeting of 25 and 26 June 2019, Members finalized work on the Committee's rules of 
procedure and agreed to forward them to the Council for Trade in Goods for approval. At its meeting 
of 14 and 15 November 2019, the Council for Trade in Goods approved the Rules of Procedure for 
meetings of the Committee on Trade Facilitation31, consisting of the Genera l Council's Rules of 
Procedure32 applied mutatis mutandis  with agreed modifications.  
4.2.3   Annual reports by the Committee to the Council for Trade in Goods  
4.10.   According to the "Procedures for an annual overview of WTO Activities and for reporting under 
the WTO" ( WT/L/105 ), which were adopted by the General Council on 15 November 1995, all bodies 
constituted under Agreements in Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement are req uired to submit an annual 
factual report to the Council for Trade in Goods, which is then to take note of these reports.  
4.11.   Accordingly, the Committee submitted annual reports to the Council for Trade in Goods 
from 2017 to 2021.33 
 
31 G/C/M/1 36, item 4. The text of the Rules of Procedure can be found in G/L/1342. 
32 WT/L/161 . 
33 (G/L/1201 ); (G/L/1267 ); (G/L/1329 ); (G/L/1375 ); [xx].  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 35 - 
 
  4.2.4   Other business  
4.2.4.1   Specific Trade Concerns raised under "Other Business"  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from Ukraine  
Insert the following text:  
"At the Committee meeting of 19-2012-13 February 2019, Ukraine raised the concern regarding 
a new transit restriction imposed by the Russian Federation on 29 December 2018 by government 
resolution No. 1716 -83. In particular, Ukraine indicated that goods originating from Ukraine had 
been subjected by the Russian Federation to various import bans and transit restrictions fo r the 
last few years. The latest measures prohibited, inter alia, the importation into the Russian 
Federation of certain agricultural and industrial goods if such goods had been in transit through 
the territory of Ukraine. This meant that the measures also  applied to products originating from 
other WTO Members. Ukraine considered such measure to be inconsistent with Article 11.4 of the 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation, as well as with Article V:6 of the GATT. Ukraine urged the Russian 
Federation to adhere to  its commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement. "  
G/TFA/W/ 60 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
4.2.5   Article 23.2 National Committee on Trade Facilitation  
4.12.   Article 23.2 of the TFA requires each Member to establish and/or maintain a National 
Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) or designate an existing mechanism to facilitate both 
domestic coordination and implementation of the provisions of the TFA. Sevente en Members have 
taken the opportunity to share with the Committee their experiences in both the development and 
operation of their NCTFs, either through oral presentations or written submissions.  
4.13.    At its meeting of 2 -3 May 2018, three Members shared their  experience regarding the 
functioning of their NCTFs as follows. Brazil; Turkey; and the United States. At the Committee 
meeting of 9 -11 October 2018, the Dominican Republic reported on the progress of its NCTF.  
4.14.   At its meeting of 12 -13 February 2019, five Members shared their experience with the 
establishment and operation of their NCTFs: Costa Rica; Pakistan; Paraguay; Thailand and Tonga. 
Sri Lanka made a presentation on the functioning of its NCTF at the meeting of 25 June 2019. At the 
meeting 15 -16 Octob er 2019, five more Members reported on their NCTFs: Egypt; El Salvador; 
Norway; Montenegro; and Paraguay.  
4.15.   At its meeting of 11 February 2020, three Members shared experiences with their NCTFs: 
Chile; Ecuador; and India.  
4.16.   At its meeting of 2 -3 March 2021, UN CTAD delivered a presentation to the Committee in which 
it outlined a number of tools developed by UNCTAD to assist Members seeking to accelerate 
implementation of the TFA.  
4.17.   [At its meeting of [xx 2021], [xx] shared experiences regarding their NCTFs.]  
Table  15: Experience -sharing by Members regarding NCTFs  
EU comment : For the sake of consistency, experience sharing on NTFCs could be placed under the 
earlier experience sharing heading or at least a footnote in the experience sharing section earlier 
in the rep ort could indicate that experience sharing on NTFCs will be reported in Section III. 
Otherwise, a substantial part of the experience sharing may be overlooked by readers.  
Note: This proposal will be drafted as new paragraph 3.21.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Member/Presenter  Title Committee 
meeting  
Brazil  National Committee on Trade Facilitation - CONFAC  2-3 May 2018  
Chile National Trade Facilitation Committee  (in Spanis h) 11 February 2020   
Costa Rica  National Trade Facilitation Committee  (in Spanish)  12-13 February 2019  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 36 - 
 
  Member/Presenter  Title Committee 
meeting  
Dominican Republic  Avances del Comité  Nacional de Facilitación  del Comercio  9-11 October 2018   
El Salvador  Advances in Trade Facilitation  (in Spanish)  15-16 October 2019  
Ecuador  National Trade Facilitation Committee - Video  11 February 2020   
India National Committe e on Trade Facilitation - India's 
Experience  
Summary of India's presentation  11 February 2020  
Montenegro  National Trade Facilitation Committee - Montenegro  15-16 October 2019  
Norway  The National Trade Facilitation Committee of Norway  15-16 October 2019  
Pakistan  Pakistan - National Trade Facilitation Committee NCTF  12-13 February 2019  
Paraguay  National Trade Facilitation Committee in Spanish  12-13 February 2019  
National Committee on Trade Facilitation in Paraguay  15-16 October 2019  
Sri Lanka  Functioning of Sri Lanka's National Trade Facilitation 
Committee  25 June 2019  
Thailand  Thailand - National Committee on Trade Facilitation  12-13 February 2019  
Togo Togo's experience in French  12-13 February 2019  
Turkey  National Committee on Trade Facilitation - Experience of 
Turkey  2-3 May 2018  
United States  Structure and Role of the US National Trade Facilitation 
Committee G/TFA/W/5  2-3 May 2018  
Chile, Ecuador, Costa 
Rica, Mexico , Paraguay, 
Uruguay  Informe sobre el primer encuentro latinoamericano de los 
comités  nacionales de facilitación  del comercio - 
Montevideo Uruguay - Noviembre 2019  11 February 2020  
 
4.3  Written submissions by Members regarding Section III  
4.18.   One Member , the United States,  submitted written submissions regarding Section III.  
Table 16: Written Submissions by Members regarding Section III  
EU comment : For the sake of consistency, experience sharing on NTFCs could be placed 
under the earlier experience sharing heading or at least a footnote in the experience 
sharing section earlier in the report could indicate that experience sharing on NTFCs will 
be reported in Section III. Otherwi se, a substantial part of the experience sharing may 
be overlooked by readers.  
Note: This proposal will be drafted as new paragraph 3.21.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Member  Title Document symbol  
United States  Communication from the United States regarding 
National Trade Facilitation Committees  G/TFA/W/19  
Structure and role of the US National Trade Facilitation 
Committee  G/TFA/W/5  
Proposal to update the WTO's Committee's Trade 
Facilitation meeting agenda as part of the four -year 
review of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation Article 
23.1.1.6  G/TFA/W/35  
Role of the Trade Facilitation Committee in the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement Facility  G/TFA/W/36  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 37 - 
 
  B  MEMBERS ' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION II I OF THE TFA  UNDER CONSIDERATION BY 
THE CTF  
Proposal from the United States  
Proposal to update the WTO Committee's Trade Facilitation meeting agenda as part of the four -
year review of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation:  
(1) Remove "Review of Notifications Under Article 15 of the TFA" as a standing agenda item, 
recognizing that the Committee may review new Article 15 not ifications on an ad hoc  basis; 
and 
(2) Add a new standing agenda item for Members to provide updates on overdue Section I and 
Section II notifications.  
Note: Proposal moved to Section 8 "Recommendations" . 
G/TFA/W/35  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from Brazil and the United States  
Proposal to formalize engagement with the private sector:  
5. […] that  the Committee convene informally , virtually or in hybrid format,  on the margins of 
formal Committee meetings to host discussions with and presentations from the private sector to 
facilitate direct feedback regarding on -the-ground implementation of the TFA. The private sector 
organizations may present how implementation  of specific provisions of the TFA has improved the 
private sector experience or identify areas of remaining challenges.  
5bis. In order to encourage participation from a wide variety of businesses and diversity of 
organizations, geographic locations, and p erspectives, the Committee may consider in 
operationalizing this proposal as follows:  
A. Rotate the geographical location of active participants shall rotate at each informal 
meeting, for example, Europe, Central Asia, and Russia; Africa and the Middle East; Asia; 
and the Americas. Thus ensuring a focus on each region of the world;  
B. Allow for "silent -mode " participation of any interested private sector participant, outside 
the region in (A) in order to encourage new business connections;  
C. Encourage Members, as appropriate, to draw participants from its National Trade 
Facilitation Committee; to that end, Members will be responsible for inviting and 
maintaining contact information for those participants;  
D. Encourage Members to put an emphasis on the participation o f Micro, Small, and Medium -
sized Enterprises (MSMEs), including any organizations that represent their interests; and  
E. The Committee may choose to focus on a particular topic(s) of interest in a region in 
order to solicit direct comments and feedback, and r epeat or vary topics, or include no 
particular focus on specific topics.  
6. The Committee may consider establishing a process to increase the efficiency of reviewing the 
many anticipated requests from the private sector to present at these informal sessions. We 
propose that any members of the private sector submit to the Secretari at requests to present on 
a topic of interest that relates to TFA implementation. Submissions would be accepted throughout 
the year, and Members should consider reviewing and accepting requests on a rolling basis. The 
Committee will then invite members of the private sector with an approved topic to present to 
Members on the margins of a formal Committee meeting.  
7. Further to the objective of encouraging participation from a wide variety of businesses and 
diversity of organizations, geographic locations, a nd perspectives, the Secretariat shall:  
A. Maintain a registration sheet for participants to register to participate;  
B. Provide convening notices that can be broadly distributed to a diverse range of potential 
participants;  
C. Work with the IT staff to provide acc ess to participants to those meetings for which they 
have been invited; and  
D. Provide, as possible, for meeting times that take into account maximum participation of 
the participants of the particular geographical location.  
EU comment : Engagement of the priv ate sector has been addressed earlier. There would be merit 
in consolidating this aspect and have only one section on the engagement with the private sector.  
G/TFA/W/42  and G/TFA/W/42/Rev.1 , para s. 5.7 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 38 - 
 
  Proposal from the European Union  
Proposals on remote participation of Members to Trade Facilitation Committee meetings and 
agenda setting:  
Even when physical participation in meetings resumes, Interprefy (or an alternative IT platform) 
allowing remote connection should be enabled for all WTO Members.  
Note: Proposal moved to Section 8 "Recommendations" . 
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
The EU recalls the Rules of procedure of the TFC and that a list of the items proposed for the 
agenda of the meeting shall be communicated to Members not less than ten calendar days prior 
to the date set for the meeting. Otherwise, no meaningful review can take place. We understand 
that in some cases, it is difficult to meet those deadlines, but for substantial notifications Members 
cannot provide meaningful comments if the notification has not been circulated sufficiently in 
advance.  
EU comment : This could be stated as an encouragement as was discussed at the CTF 
meeting on 22 September 2021.  
Note: Proposal moved to Section 8 "Recommendations" . 
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 4  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from Turkey and the United States  
Proposal to draft a consensus document that contains good practices and building blocks of 
successful NTFCs, and identifies a min imum of three concrete elements that all Members agree 
are essential for implementing a successful NTFC: full government agency participation, clear 
leadership with political imperatives, and strong links to the private sector.  
Note: Proposal moved to Section 8 "Recommendations" . 
G/TFA/W/56 , para. 5  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
Notifications under Article 19  
Any notification of shifts in category should be discussed in TFCs  in a separate agenda item.  
EU comment : Following the indication that the WTO Secretariat will insert text in the 
review report that reflects the latest update of presentations ma de by the Secretariat 
under agenda 1.2 of the CTF, the EU takes for granted that text will be provided 
regarding Member' shifting of categories.  
Note: Moved from Section 3B "Members' Proposals under Section II of the TFA under 
consideration by the CTF"  
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 9  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
5  REPORTS TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FACILITY AND 
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON TRADE FACILITATION ON 
THEIR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT MEMBERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TFA  
5.1.  The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) provides regular reports on its activities to the 
Committee.34 These include updates on workshops and other events relating to trade facilitation 
matters organized with donors, partner organizations and representatives from the private sector. 
The Facility also reports on the grant progr am that offers project preparation and project 
implementation grants to assist Members in identifying and liaising with donors  and with the 
implementation of category C measures as a contingency when no other assistance has been 
 
34 See G/L/1201 , G/L/1267, G/L/1329 , and G/L/1375 . The most recent reports by the Facility to the 
Committee can be found at G/TFA/W/ 28 (20-21 October 2020) and G/TFA/W/37  (22-23 April 2021).  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 39 - 
 
  identified . The Facility fu rther provides annual reports on its activities. These reports and all other 
information relating to its grant work , coordination efforts with the Annex D+ partner organizations 
and all  other activities can be found on the TFAF website.35 
5.2.  During the review  period TFAF made [xx] presentations to the Committee. An information 
session was organized in the margins of the Committee meeting of 25 -26 June 2019 on the 
operational and administrative structure of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). 
The session provided information on the origins, structure and membership of the STDF, its 
management, and its relationship with the WTO Secretariat.  
5.3.  Annex D organizations (i.e., IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, WCO and WBG) are invited to and regularly 
attend Committee meetings. In addition, certain of these organizations have made presentations to 
the Committee. The OECD delivered a presentation on TFA implementation, cooperation and related 
matters at a 2018 meeting of the Committee.36 UNCTAD has made several presentat ions, including 
a joint presentation with Rwanda in 2019 on best practices37, and the WCO has intervened several 
times to share information regarding its work in the area of trade facilitation.38 In an informal session 
of the Committee held on 30 September  2020, UNCTAD, WCO and the WBG, along with the ITC, 
and GA TF, each made presentations on matters relating to measures adopted in response to the 
COVID -19 situation.39 
5.4.  In addition, the Annex D+ partner organizations provided a report that was circulated to the 
Committee in the context of the 20 -22 October 2020 dedicated session on technical assistance and 
capacity building and the Annex D partners and the ITC provided a report to the Committee for the 
22-23 April 2021 meeting that, with respect  to each organization, outlined their role in supporting 
implementation of the TFA, offered a brief description of upcoming assistance and activities, and 
described how Members could request assistance.40 
6  DATABASE AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENTS SUPPORTING THE WO RK OF THE TF 
COMMITTEE  
6.1.  A database – tfadatabase.org  – was created in response to a request expressed by Members 
in the TFC.  
6.2.  The database is publicly available in the three WTO official languages. It is a fact-based 
reference source for information on TFA notifications which also provides analytical functionalities. 
It follows the evolution of the TFA and continually adapts to accommodate new notification data.  
6.3.  The Member profiles pages provide a platform t o view the notification status of an individual 
Member in depth as well as any information notified by Members.  All notification documents and 
other submissions made by Members can be accessed on these pages.  
6.4.  The TFA database hosts a dedicated page of the TF Committee containing all the information 
provided under the experience -sharing and thematic discussions in the Committee.  
6.5.  Government officials and traders can access all URLs and contact points as Members are 
required to notify under the TFA.  
6.6.  All techni cal assistance disbursements provided by Members can also be accessed on the TFA 
database.  
6.7.  The TFA Database automatically feeds data to three other websites, comprising the main WTO 
website, The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) website and the Global Trade Helpdesk 
website.  
 
35 TFAF - Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility ( http://www.tfafacility.org ). 
36 G/TFA/M/5 . 
37 G/TFA/M/9 . 
38 Most recently, at the meetings of the Committee on 26 -27 January and 3 -4 March 2021.  
39 https://tfadatabase.org/trade -facilitation -committee/meeting/2020 -09-30. 
40 G/TFA/W/39 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 40 - 
 
  7  MEMBERS ' GENERAL PROPOSALS  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Incorporate into the report a separate section on LLDC  Member s with a brief assessment of both 
challenges and achievements.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the United Kingdom has been withdrawn  
G/TFA/W/55 /Rev.1 
8  RECOMMENDATIONS  
8.1.  That beneficiary Members  with category C commitments organize meetings with donors in 
capital, to review the state of assistance and potential future needs. Beneficiary Members  are invited 
to share the outcome of these meetings with the Trade Facilitation Committee by [xxx] . 
Note : pending updated text. Moved from Section 3B "Members ' Proposals Under Section 
II of the TFA under Consideration by the CTF".  
8.2.  The Secretariat will lead a process with Members to agree regularised agenda topics for the 
dedicated session on assistance and c apacity building, within the parameters of Article 21.4.  
8.3.  As part of this process, the following items will be discussed at every dedicated session 
henceforth:  
i. International and regional organisations and other agencies supporting the implementation 
of the TFA are invited to provide a report on the activities that they have delivered in the 
preceding twelve months. This should provide details on which Members they are supporting, 
the TFA articles they are helping to implement, and reflections on challenges a nd successes 
to enable improved future capacity building support.  
ii. Members and organisations are invited to share experiences on where synergies between 
capacity building programmes have benefited implementation of the TFA and consider where 
further collabo ration and cooperation (including on a regional level) might best support a 
future implementation of specific Articles.  
Note: Moved from Section 3B "Members ' Proposals Under Section II of the TFA under 
Consideration by the CTF". Revised text received from the United Kingdom on 14 October.  
Proposal to update the WTO Committee's Trade Facilitation meeting agenda as part of the four -year 
review of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation:  
(1) Remove "Review of Notifications Under Article 15 of the TFA" as a standing agenda item, 
recognizing that the Committee may review new Article 15 notifications on an ad hoc  basis; and  
(2) Add a new standing agenda item for Members to provide updates on over due Section I and 
Section II notifications.  
Note: pending drafting. Moved from Section 4B "Members' Proposals Under Section III of 
the TFA Under Consideration by the CTF" . 
Even when physical participation in meetings resumes, Interprefy (or an alternative IT platform) 
allowing remote connection should be enabled for all WTO Members.  
Note: pending drafting. Moved from Section 4B "Members' Proposals Under Section III of 
the TFA Under Consideration by the CTF" . 
 
The EU recalls the Rules of procedur e of the TFC and that a list of the items proposed for the agenda 
of the meeting shall be communicated to Members not less than ten calendar days prior to the date G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 41 - 
 
  set for the meeting. Otherwise, no meaningful review can take place. We understand that in s ome 
cases, it is difficult to meet those deadlines, but for substantial notifications Members cannot provide 
meaningful comments if the notification has not been circulated sufficiently in advance.  
EU comment : This could be stated as an encouragement as wa s discussed at the CTF 
meeting on 22 September 2021.  
Note: pending drafting. Moved from Section 4B "Members' Proposals Under Section III of 
the TFA Under Consideration by the CTF" . 
Proposal from Turkey and the United States  
Proposal to draft a consensus document that contains good practices and building blocks of 
successful NTFCs, and identifies a minimum of three concrete elements that all Members agree are 
essential for implementing a successful NTFC: full government agency participation, clea r leadership 
with political imperatives, and strong links to the private sector.  
Note: pending drafting. Moved from Section 4B "Members' Proposals Under Section III of 
the TFA Under Consideration by the CTF" . 
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report fr om the Landlocked Developing Countries  
LLDC group suggests that the following recommendations are included in the report:  
• Urge Members to continue to provide technical, financial and capacity building assistance to 
LLDC Member s on a sustainable basis, with a view to the effective implementation of the 
Agreement;  
• Call for the constructive cooperation of transit Members  for the early and effective 
implementation of disciplines that will contribute to reducing transit time and costs, simplify 
procedures and introduce greater certainty in cross -border trade;  
• Recognise the severe negative impacts for the progress of post -COVID-19 recovery and 
resilience building efforts of the LLDC  Members ; 
• Considering the importance of international trade to LLDC  Members , addressing trade related 
challenges faced by LLDC  Member s and building their trade capacities is fundamental for 
mitigat ing the impact of the pandemic and in building back better post -COVID -19. In this 
sense, the Aid4Trade support to LLDC  Member s is therefore fundamental to addressing the 
impact of COVID -19 and in supporting their post - COVID -19 recovery efforts;  
• Call on do nors and development partners to pay more attention to LLDCs in granting 
technical assistance, especially for the implementation of articles which lag behind;  
• Encourage LLDC Members to notify donor arrangements and technical assistance progress;  
• Encourage LLDC Members  and Transit Members to nominate their National Transit 
Coordinator and inform the Committee;  
• Encourage further cooperation between National Trade Facilitation Committees, sharing best 
practices and experiences, in particular between LLDC  Member  NTFCs and transit Member  
NTFCs.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 4  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3  
 
- 42 - 
 
  ANNEX 1  
Table 1 : Information -Sharing by Annex D+ partner organizations on their activities  
Member/Presenter  Title Committee Meeting  
Annex D+ Partner Organizations  Report by the Annex D+ partner 
organizations to the Trade 
Facilitation Committee  
G/TFA/W/29  20-22 October 2020  
Report by the ITC and the Annex D 
partner organizations to the Trade 
Facilitation Committee   
(G/TFA/W/39)  22-23 April 2021  
GATF Update on activities of the Global 
Alliance for Trade Facilitation  12-13 February 2019  
Global Alliance for Trade 
Facilitation  25 June 2019  
Update from the Global Alliance for 
Trade Facilitation  15 October 2019  
Global Alliance for Trade 
Facilitation update  11 February 2020  
Global Alliance for Trade 
Facilitation presentation  20-22 October 2020  
Building trust through public -
private partnerships for trade 
facilitation  22-23 April 2021  
OECD  Summary of Events on Trade 
Facilitation and Future Trade 
Cooperation  26 June 2018  
STDF Driving safe trade solutions 
worldwide STDFs role  25 June 2019  
UNCTAD  UNCTAD tools for NTFCs  3 March 2021  
UNCTAD and Rwanda  UNCTAD Compendium of Good 
Practices UNCTAD and Rwanda  15 October 2019  
WCO WCO statement  11 February 2020  
Table 2 : Information -Sharing by Annex D+ partner organizations on their work to 
support Members to mitigate the COVID -19 crisis  
Member/Presenter  Title Committee Meeting  
GATF Global Alliance – COVID -19 impact on 
Trade Facilitation  30 September 2020  
ITC ITC - Coping with COVID -19 through 
trade facilitation  30 September 2020  
UNCTAD  UNCTAD - Easing global trade and 
transport during COVID -19 30 September 2020  
World Bank Group  World Bank - WB response to COVID -19 
crisis 30 September 2020  
WCO WCO - What Customs can do to mitigate 
the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic  30 September 2020  
GATF Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation  26-27 January 2021  
WCO Statement by the WCO  26-27 January 2021  
WCO WCO presentation on COVID -19 related 
measures  3 March 2021  
 
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