G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
19 February 2024  
(24-1502) Page: 1/10 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: French  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM DJIBOUTI  
Addendum  
The following communication, of which the first draft was received on 26  December  2023, is being 
circulated at the request of the delegation of Djibouti  for Members' information . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Djibouti hereby submits the following notifications in accordance with Article  16 of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931):  
 
1. Indicative and definitive dates for catego ry B commitments;  
2. Indicative and definitive dates for category  C commitments; and  
3. Information on technical assistance and support for capacity building required for 
implement ation of  category  C commitments.  
 
For ease of reference, Djibouti's  full list of category commitments is summarized in the table attached 
herewith.  
 
 
   G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
- 2 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
Article  1.1 Publication  C 31 December  2027 31 December  2027 • Establish a working group, within the National Trade 
Facilitation Committee (NTFC ), bringing together 
customs portals, the Ministry of Trade and the port 
authority to discuss setting up a single portal.  
• Adopt a procedure for gathering, analysing, validating, 
sharing and updating trade information, with focal 
points in agencies whose ac tivities affect trade 
procedures.  
• Train staff of agencies concerned on the use of 
international best practices in publishing.  
• Develop operational manuals and standard operating 
procedures (SOPs) for border agencies.  
Article  1.2 Information Available 
through Internet  C 31 December  2027 31 December  2027 • Build the capacities of the information technology (IT) 
services of the various  agencies.  
• Update, secure and maintain information and 
communication technology (ICT) infrastructure . 
• Harmonize ministerial/agency IT policies by 
implementing the TFA and integrate them into the 
national trade portal.  
• Prepare detailed information manuals on export, import 
and transit requirements.  
• Organize trade workshops for IT services to familiarize 
them with the information publication practices desired 
by border agencies, including content management.  
• Outline the procedures for tracking and updating data.  
• Integrate e -services (tax simulation, currency 
declaration, passenger declaration, vehicle decl aration, 
etc.) into the customs website.  
• Train customs IT specialists on the various  types of data 
centre.   
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 3 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
• Set up a tier 3 customs data centre:  
✓ Review  and evaluate the existing structure;  
✓ Identify needs in terms of financial and material 
resources;  
✓ Prepare specifications for purchasing the necessary 
equipment for a tier 3 data centre.  
• Migrate the custom's system to a national version 
based on thin client architecture.  
• Study and evaluate the existing and adopted procedure 
of the custom's in formation system  for the continuity 
and resumption of activities . 
• Prepare post -clearance audit s (PCAs) and pest -risk 
analys es (PRAs). 
• Train customs IT specialists on thin client programming 
languages and mobile applications.  
• Financial support for English t ranslation.  
Article  1.3 Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  • Take an i nventory  of existing enquiry points within the 
various agencies involved in international trade.  
• Evaluate existing enquiry points, including  the 
technology used, to consider the uptake of appropriate 
technology.  
• Establish enquiry points within structures that do not 
have enquiry points.  
• Technical assistance to build the capacity of enquiry 
points: familiarization with trade information portal  
procedures , and implementation and ownership of 
standardized procedures for the provision of information  
and collaboration with in the network of enquiry points.  
• Undertake campaigns to raise p ublic awareness of 
enquiry points.  
Article  1.4 Notification  C 31 December  2027 31 December  2027 • Support for c apacity building for members of the 
notification committee within the Ministry of Trade, with 
a particular focus on WTO notification procedures and 
information to be notified.   
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 4 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
Article  2.1 Opportunity to Comment and 
Information Before Entry into 
Force  B 31 December 2026  31 December 2026  - 
Article  2.2 Consultations  B 31 December 2026  31 December 2026  - 
Article  3 Advance Rulings  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Training on international best practices for advance 
rulings, as well as the need for their adoption.  
• Set up a m ulti-agency working group, involving the 
NTFC, to disseminate the advantages of the advance 
rulings system.  
• Adopt legal provisions on advance rulings.  
• Technical assistance to prepare guide s for administering 
the advance rulings mechanism.  
• Train customs staff to provide advance rulings, including 
on tariff classification and rules of origin.  
• Integrate the advance rulings system into the customs 
platform.  
• Activate , via the Internet, the ASYCUDA World module 
on advance rulings, which allows traders dealing with 
customs authorities to obtain all the requested 
information.  
Article  4 Procedures for Appeal or 
Review  B 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  - 
Article  5.1 Notifications for Enhanced 
Controls or Inspections  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Implement an electronic network that links all border 
agencies to facilitate the flow of notifications.  
• Train staff on risk analysis and processing these 
notifications.  
• Assistance to introduce collaboration guides among 
related agencies, including phytosa nitary control 
services, customs and relevant international institutions, 
such as the World Organisation for Animal Health 
(WOAH ), the International Plant Protection Convention 
(IPPC) and the Codex Alimentarius.  
• Train customs officers on and raise their awareness of  
electronic inspection certificates.  
• Train customs IT staff on developments in mobile 
technology to introduce mobile inspection certificates.  
• Train staff on established procedures.   
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 5 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
Article  5.2 Detention  C 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  • Activate the notification module in the customs system.  
• Implement guides for border agencies.  
• Build the c apacit ies through training programmes for 
border agency staff.  
Article  5.3 Test Procedures  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Introduce a legal basis for counter -analysi s of imported 
products in the case of negative results.  
• Define laboratory selection criteria.  
• Compile a list of laboratories and publish  it on trade 
information portals.  
• Train and build the capacit ies of human resources.  
Article  6.1 General Disciplines on Fees 
and Charges Imposed on or 
in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  B 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  - 
Article  6.2 Specific Disciplines on Fees 
and Charges for Customs 
Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation 
and Exportation  B 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  - 
Article  6.3 Penalty Disciplines  B 31 December 2026  31 December 2026  - 
Article  7.1 Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  • Stakeholder engagement.  
• Review legislation on the electronic submission of cargo 
and goods declarations.  
• Develop an automated common risks system for the 
pre-arrival processing of goods ' data . 
• Update the ICT systems and automate the operations of 
the customs administration and other related agencies.  
• Improve capacity -building of the agencies  concerned . 
• Develop ICT infrastructure and purchas e equipment  for 
the agencies concerned .  
• Establish logistics  centres at all borders to provide this 
service.  
Article  7.2 Electronic Payment  C 31 December 2029  31 December 2029  • Review and strengthen the legal framework in order to 
ensure secure electronic payments.  
• Create a digital ecosystem that includes all the agencies  
concerned . 
• Develop and roll out the relevant IT infrastructure and 
equipment.  
• Train staff to provide this service.   
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 6 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
• Support from the United Nations Conference on Trade 
and Development ( UNCTA D) for technical assistance 
and capacity -building to integrate electronic payment 
into ASYCUDA World.  
• Raise awareness among stakeholders.  
Article  7.3 Separation of Release from 
Final Determination of 
Customs Duties, Taxes, Fees 
and Charges  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Develop the necessary legal framework to implement 
this provision.  
• Conduct a prospective study to examine  the possibility 
of impl ementing such  a system.  
• Organize an outreach seminar for customs officers and 
traders.  
Article  7.4 Risk Management  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Improve the risk management  policy and strategic plan.  
• Train and build the capacit ies of border agencies on risk 
management.  
• Develop a national legal framework for risk 
management.  
• Establish an ICT infrastructure to support the national 
risk management framework.  
• Create a risk management unit composed of 
representatives of all agencies  concer ned. 
• Build the c apacit ies of the risk management unit on the 
World Customs Organization (WCO)  Customs Risk 
Management Compendium.  
• Build c apacit ies to develop a pool of staff to maintain 
the system once it has been developed.  
• Implement a risk management sys tem based on 
existing statistical models and data (Fraud Database).  
• Implement a profiling mechanism and procedures in 
customs offices and other government agencies.  
• Implement a voluntary compliance framework.  
Article  7.5 Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December  2027 31 December  2027 • Train the staff concerned on the latest accounting and 
audit systems, in line with e -commerce and transfer 
pricing updates . 
• Support for the formulation of a national strategy to 
ensure PCAs by all border agencies.  
• Raise awareness among stakeholders  of PCAs. 
• Support the integration of PCAs into day -to-day 
operations and provide training.  
• Introduce an e -learning platform for customs staff.   
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 7 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
• Integrate the e -learning platform into the professional 
career development process of customs officials.  
Article  7.6 Establishment and Publication 
of Average Release Times  B 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  - 
Article  7.7 Trade Facilitation Measures 
for Authorized Operators  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Review the national legal framework.  
• Establish a national authorized economic operator (AEO) 
task force.  
• Establish the eligibility criteria for the AEO programme.  
• Prepare a national procedural handbook and develop 
the AEO programme management tool.  
• Improve the customs IT system to include the AEO 
identi fier on customs declarations and exit notes.  
• Develop the necessary ICT infrastructure for AEO 
management within the customs authority.  
• Support for the design  and implementation of  an 
appropriate system for authorized operators.  
• Design a monitoring framewor k for customs to 
determine and control operator compliance . 
• Train customs officials and stakeholders concerned to 
support the development and application of AEO status.  
• Raise awareness among private actors.  
Article  7.8 Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Establish a legal regime, regulations and procedures.  
• Train the customs authority staff concerned on the use 
of international best practices in accordance with WCO 
programmes.  
• Develop the ICT infrastructure and X -ray machines.  
• Interface with the systems of entities involved in the 
administration of expedited shipments.  
• Establish criteria/new frameworks to adapt to the 
steady increase in e -commerce imports through 
expedited ship ments.  
• Review the procedures of other stakeholders.  
Article  7.9 Perishable Goods  B 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  - 
Article  8 Border Agency Cooperation  B 31 December 2030  31 December 2030  - 
Article  9 Movement of Goods Intended 
for Import under Customs 
Control  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 8 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
Article  10.1 Formalities and 
Documentation Requirements  B 31 December 2030  31 December 2030  - 
Article  10.2 Acceptance of Copies  B 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  - 
Article  10.3 Use of International 
Standards  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Support from the WCO to prepare for ratification of the 
WCO Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC).  
• Technical support for the development of a framework 
aligning national legislation with the WCO RKC and 
other international standards on import, export and 
transit formalities and procedures.  
• Train customs staff on and raise their awareness of the 
importa nce of the ratification of the RKC.  
• Set up a body, within customs, dedicated to 
regional/international standardization.  
• Train staff of the a gencies concerned on the use of 
international best practices for trade facilitation 
procedures and exchange experiences in this area with 
other countries.  
• Raise awareness among stakeholders of the various 
applicable international standards.  
• Provide project management  training and certification in 
processes and producti on methods (PPM) for c ustoms 
officials.  
• Support for the Djibouti Agency for Standards and 
Quality (ADN) and other relevant services for the 
adoption of international standards.  
Article  10.4 Single Window  C 31 December 2033  31 December 2033  • Assess the maturity level of existing single windows and 
systems, in accordance with the WCO model.  
• Develop an implementation strategy for a single window 
environment.  
• Establish regulations and legal procedures for 
e-signature.  
• Secure intersystem trade (encryption of transactions, 
integration of e -signatures, etc.).  
• Build the c apacit ies of all stakeholders.  
Article  10.5 Pre-shipment Inspection  B 31 December 2024  31 December 2024   
Article  10.6 Use of Customs Brokers  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 9 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
Article  10.7 Common Border Procedures 
and Uniform Documentation 
Requirements  C 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  • Review existing border/administrative procedures with a 
view to simplifying documentation.  
• Update procedural manuals.  
Article  10.8 Rejected Goods  B 31 December 2025  31 December 2025  - 
Article  10.9 Temporary Admission of 
Goods and Inward and 
Outward Processing  B 31 December  2027 31 December  2027 
- 
Articles  11.1-11.3 Freedom of Transit  C 31 December  2027 31 December  2027 • Build c apacit ies on "Freedom of transit" and WCO transit  
guidelines . 
Article  11.4 Freedom of Transit  B 31 December 2028  31 December 2028  - 
Articles  11.5-11.10  Freedom of Transit  C 31 December 2030  31 December 2030  • Provide X -ray machines to all customs transit borders.  
• Establish a tracking system for containers and trucks to 
secure the transit system.  
• Improve the legal framework supporting the 
implementation of cargo tracking.  
• Improve infrastructure along the transit corridor.  
• Harmonize axle load limits across the Common Market 
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)  region.  
• Review and harmonize claim requirements under the 
COMESA Yellow Card (regional approach - insurance).  
• Purchase and install smart gates at  various customs 
checkpoints.  
• Purchase and install weighbridges and interface with the 
customs weight control system for customs 
declarations.  
• Train stakeholders on and raise their awareness of 
transit procedures and controls.  
• Introduce a single administra tive document for goods in 
transit.  
• Interface with the customs guarantee management 
system overseen by COMESA (Regional Customs Transit 
Guarantee (RCTG -CARNET ) scheme ).  
  G/TFA/N/DJI/1/Add.3  
 
- 10 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 Assistance and support for  
capacity building required  
for implementation  
Articles  11.11 -11.17  Freedom of Transit  C 31 December 2035  31 December 2035  • Provide X -ray machines to all customs transit borders.  
• Interface customs systems and X -ray machines to 
include scanned images of goods in customs 
declarations.  
• Develop a network to link X -ray machines at the 
national and international level to establish a  
cooperation mechanism among border customs for 
exchanging  images of trucks in transit.  
• Provide training on international best practices for the 
transit system and the use of international expertise.  
• Improve the legal framework supporting the 
implementation of cargo tracking.  
• Implement an electronic data interchange (EDI) system 
with other customs administrations.  
• Implement a regional transit guarantee system.  
• Introduce one -stop border posts (OSBPs) at border 
crossings.  
• Train stakeholders on a nd raise  their awareness of 
transit procedures and controls.  
Article  12 Customs Cooperation  C 31 December 2030  31 December 2030  • Develop the customs authority's ICT infrastructure and 
establish a system to secure information and maintain 
confidentiality.  
• Train staff on the implementation mechanism for 
agreements on administrative assistance and 
information sharing . 
• Build c apacit ies for sharing  information among customs 
offices for the purpose of verifying goods declarations  
and in various areas . 
• Review current procedures.  
• Review  and establish legal requirements and 
implementation guidelines.  
• Develop a customs cooperation strategy.  
 
 
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