G/TFA/W/65  
 
8 October 2021  
(21-7641) Page: 1/35 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
COMMENTS ON THE FIRST REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  
OF THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT (G/TFA/W/41/REV.1)  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION  
The following communication, dated 4 October 2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the European Union.  
 
_______________  
 
 
The European Union has made comments on the First Review of the Operation and Implementation 
of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (G/TFA/W/41/Rev.1). The comments consist of amendments to 
EU initial proposed text; proposed new text to replace initial specific comments; and other additional 
comments. All comments are in blue. 
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 ................................ ............................  6 
2.3   Written submissions by Members regarding Section I ................................ .......................  9 
2.4   Experience sharing by Members on trade facilitating measures taken to mitigate the  
COVID -19 Crisis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  11 
2.5   Specific Trade Con cerns ................................ ................................ ..............................  12 
Kazakhstan – Border Restrictions of Goods in Transit – Request from the Kyrgyz Republic 
(G/TFA/W/20; G/TFA/W/20/Corr.1; G/TF A/W/20/Add.1)  ................................ .......................  12 
2.6   Involvement of the private sector  ................................ ................................ ................  12 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION I OF THE TFA ................................ .............. 13 
3   SECTION II OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ............................. 15 
A  FACTU AL INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ ............................ 15 
3.1   Notifications under Section II of the TFA ................................ ................................ ....... 15 
3.1.1   Notifications by Members under Articles 15 and 16  ................................ .....................  15 
3.1.2   Requests for extension of the deadline for the notification of definitive dates for  
category B measures by LDC Members  ................................ ................................ ................  18 
3.1.3   Notifications on technical assistance and capacity building support for category C 
designations  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  19 
3.1.4   Notifications under Article 17 ................................ ................................ ....................  21 
3.1.5   Notifications under Article 22 ................................ ................................ ....................  22 G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  3.2   Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions ................................ ..........................  22 
3.3   Article 21:4: Dedicated Sessions on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building  ...............  23 
3.4   Written submissions by Members regarding Section II  ................................ ...................  25 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSAL S UNDER SECTION II OF THE TFA  ................................ ............ 25 
Notifications under Article 19  ................................ ................................ ..............................  26 
4   SECTION III OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ........................... 27 
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ ............................ 27 
4.1   Ratifications  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  27 
4.2   Article 23 Institutional Arrangements  ................................ ................................ ...........  28 
4.2.1   Article 23.1 Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ ..............................  28 
4.2.2   Rules of procedure of the Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ ...........  29 
4.2.3   Annual reports by the Committee to the Council for Trade in Goods ..............................  29 
4.2.4   Article 23.2 Nat ional Committee on Trade Facilitation ................................ ..................  29 
4.3   Written submissions by Members regarding Section III  ................................ ..................  31 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION III OF THE TFA ................................ ........... 31 
5   REPORTS TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  
FACILITY AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON TRADE 
FACILITATION ON THEIR ACTIV ITIES TO SUPPORT MEMBERS IN THE  
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TFA ................................ ................................ ....................... 32 
6   DATABASE AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENTS SUPPPORTING THE WORK OF THE TF 
COMMITTEE  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 33 
7   MEMBERS' GENERAL PROPOSALS  ................................ ................................ .............. 34 
8   RECOMMENDATIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .34 
 
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 four years from its entry into force, and periodically thereafter".  
1.2.  While the mandate in Article 23.1.6 stipulates that the review per iod starts from the entry into 
force of the Agreement, in order to capture all notifications submitted by Members, the notification 
data contained in this factual report covers the period from 1 January 2014 to [31  October] 2021.  
1.3.  Otherwise, this report cov ers the period from 22 February 2017 to [31 October] 2021.  
1.4.  At its meeting of 3 March 2021, the Committee on Trade Facilitation (TF Committee, 
Committee, TFC) adopted a calendar and procedure to undertake the First Review1, which included 
the circulation o f a first draft factual section of the review. Accordingly, this document provides 
information regarding the implementation and operation issues of the Agreement, as determined by 
Members during the review period.  
1.5.  The document is structured according to Se ctions 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 G/TFA/1 . G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
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 Agreem ent 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 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 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 Secret ariat  will keep 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) . 
The COVID -19 pandemic has r epresented 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 importance of measures 
like reduction of fees and charges, e -payments, clearance procedures to facilitate 
trade, risk management, ease of transit , and high lighted the importance of cooperation 
among border agencies and between Members’ customs , as well as the need for transparency 
regarding custom procedures and rules, tariffs and other trade measures be they temporary 
or permanent . These elements are only a n illustration of the many tools needed to cope with 
the crisis, which were presented by Members, international organisations and observers, who 
shared their experiences during the informal sessions of the TFC (see the compendium of 
measures – document ser ies G/TFA/W/40) . 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 he lp Members address the challenges brought by this pandemic, as 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 2 2 September 2021 and based on their contributions such as 
G/TFA/W/58 and G/TFA/W/59.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Present comparative trade (export and import) data based on the different groups of countries 
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  
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  2  SECTION I OF THE TFA  
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
2.1  Notifications under Section I of the TFA  
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 exchange of customs information 
(Article  12.2.2).  
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 
countries and LDCs have notified these commitments as category A or as category B. Many 
developing countries and LDCs have categorised these commitments as category C. Regarding 
LDCs, the definitive date for implementi ng category C commitments is August 2022, but in some 
cases, Members accelerated implementation and notified.  
EU comment: Regarding LDCs and LLDCs, in this paragraph there may be room for adding 
specific lessons learnt as to the value and importance of tr ansparency notifications and the 
challenges to do these notifications. LDCs 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 commen t: to insert a table or text, as Members prefer, and the Secretariat would insert the 
latest figures available  
[x] Developing Countries category A commitments for the provision 1.4 are to be notified  
[x] Developing countries category B commitments whose da te passed for the provision 1.4 are 
to be notified  
[x] Developing countries category A commitment for the provision 10.4.3 are to be notified  
[x] Developing Countries category B commitments whose date passed for the provision 10.4.3 
are to be notified  
[x] Developing Countries category A commitments for the provision 10.6.2 are to be notified  
[x] Developing countries category B commitments whose date passed for the provision 1.0.6.2 
are to be notified  
[x] Developing countries category A commitment for the pr ovision 12.2.2 to be notified  
[x] Developing Countries 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 mentione d "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 document 
G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1 following co -sponsorship by the EU.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union   
Indicate the number of new notifications and to separate that figure from the notifications of 
mere updates of broken links.  
Due notifications should be reported as well (category A commitments and category B 
commitments, where the date notified for implementation has passed) as was done under 
agenda item 1.2 at the TFC meeting of 2 2-23 June.  
G/TFA/W/49 , para. 11   
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  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] 2021.2 In 
total, [xx]3 transparency notifications were submitted over this period . 
EU comment : The EU is of the view that such informa tion 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  
 
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 perc entage  
 
EU comment : See comment in paragraph 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.  
 
2 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 transparency 
notifications.  
3 [xx] as it appears in the paper indicates that the final data is to be inserted at the conclusion of the 
review.  11256
4981
8
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021G/TFA/W/65  
 
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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 ). 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
The part of the document Updating of the listing of notification obligations and the compliance 
therewith as set out in Annex III of the report of the working group on notification obligations 
and procedures (G/L/223/Rev.28) dedicated to the  TFA should be duly mentioned in the report 
on the four year review.  
(Note: relevant for notifications under Sections I and II of the TFA)  
EU comment : This information was placed in earlier paragraphs with text proposed by 
the EU.  
G/TFA/W/49 , para. 14   
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2.2  Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  
2.5.  The first experience -sharing e xercise/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.  
G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  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 unde r consideration by the CTF  
 
2.6.  The experience -sharing sessions included the participation of the following international 
organizations, which comprise some of the so -called "Annex D+ partner organizations": the World 
Bank Group (WBG), World Customs Organization (WCO), the Organization f or Economic Cooperation 
and Development (OECD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and 
the International Trade Centre (ITC). The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF), a 
public -private partnership dedicated to internati onal trade facilitation4, and the Standards Trade and 
Development Facility (STDF) a multi -partner initiative5, also participated in the experience -sharing 
sessions. The list of presentations is contained in Annex 1, Table 1.  
2.7.  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 Members); 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 provi sions  
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  
 
4 The Global Alliance is led by the Center for Internatio nal Private Enterprise, the International Chamber 
of Commerce and the 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 a nd Australia.  
5 The STDF grew out of a joint communiqué issued by the 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 countries to imp lement international SPS standards, guidelines and recommendations . G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  Member  Title Committee meeting  
 
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  
Ukraine  Advanced rulings  
Advanced rulings - key points  11 February 2020  
United States  Speaking points - The role of advance rulings and 
administrative procedures in TFA implementation  
GTFAW7 - The role of advance rulings and 
administrat ive 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 Truste d 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  - Presentación  del 
programa de operador económico  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, Exportation 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  G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  Member  Title Committee meeting  
 
The Separate 
Customs 
Territo ry 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  
 
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 Str ategy with Emphasis on 
Coordinated Border Management (in Spanish only)   
Guatemala  Trade Facilitation Thro ugh a Regional Lense  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 th at compendium in the Annex.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2.3  Written submissions by Members regarding Section I  
2.8.  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.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert the following text:  
"Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic circulated information on their National Transit Coordinator 
in accordance wi th article 11.17."  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 2 vii  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  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  
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  
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  2.4  Experience sharing by Members on trade facilitating measures taken to mitigate the 
COVID -19 Crisis6 
2.9.  As stated in the above -mentioned paragraph 2.5  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 
WBG, the WCO, UNCTAD and GATF on their work in this area. The organizations presented their 
work under the following headings: ITC - "Continuing TAC B during the times of pandemics - ITC 
experience "; 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 (GATF) " COVID impact on trade facilitation – observations, challenges 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.1)  attached in annex [x]. It is a compilation of the  presentations that 
Members, international organizations and other observers made informally duri ng 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 pandemic are: Article 1.4, (Transparency including availability of the 
measures on websites, informatio n on measures that are duty reduction for example), 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 managemen t, 
clearance of goods, but also Authorized Economic 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  
 
2.10.  The following eight 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.  
2.11.  The Ottawa Group, which includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Japan, 
Kenya, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore and Switz erland, introduced a 
communication circulated in document G/TFA/W/24 which compiled the COVID -19 measures taken 
by its members. Brazil, Colombia and the United States, introduced a joint communication entitled 
"Supporting the Timely and Efficient Release o f Global Goods Through Accelerated Implementation 
of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement" which was circulated in document G/TFA/W/25.  
2.12.  Members continued to share information on the trade facilitating measures that they had 
taken to mitigate COVID -19 at th e 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].  
2.13.  At the meeting of 21 -22 October 2020, the following Members informed the Committee of the 
trade faci litating 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 Glo bal 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: a n Emerging Digital Customs Strategy"; 
 
6 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 . 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/65  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Afghanistan "Status and challenges of Trade Facilitation Agreement Implementation in Afghanistan"; 
Mongolia "Implementation of the TFA by Mongolia"; Japan "Japan Customs' Response to COVID -19; 
and the Dominican Republi c "Medidas temporales adoptadas por la República Dominicana en 
respuesta al COVID -19". Saint Lucia, The Netherlands, and the EU provided additional information.  
2.14.  At the meeting of 26 -27 January 2021, the WCO and the GATF updated the Committee on 
their COVID -19 related work.  
2.15.  At the meeting of 3 March 2021, the WCO provided an update to the Committee on its ongoing 
COVID -19 related work.  
2.16.  At the meeting of 22 -23 April 2021, the following Members informed the Committee of the 
trade facilitating measures that the y 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 with TFA on international supply chains during the COVID -19 pandemic".  
2.17.  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.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Document G/TFA/W/40 (to be reviewed with Members' comments) needs to be reflected in the 
report on the review.  
EU comment : This comment has been moved to paragraph 2. 9 above.  
G/TFA/W/49 , para. 15   
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
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)  
2.18.  The Committee addressed one matter concerning a specific trade concern that was raised at 
its meeting of 11 February 2020.7 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 both countries 
are members.  
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.  
 
7 G/L/1375  and G/TFA/M/10 . G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  Proposed textual e dit to the factual report from China  
China suggests to delete the following item from 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 activity 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 the European Union  
The part of the document Updating of the listing of notification obligations and the compliance 
therewith as set out in Annex III of the report of the working group on notification obligations 
and procedures (G/L/223/Rev.28) dedicated to the TFA should be duly mentioned in the report 
on the four year review.  
(Note: relevant for notifications under Sections I and II of the TFA)  
EU comment : This textual edit has been incorporated into previous paragraphs.  
G/TFA/W/49 , para. 14   
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION I OF THE TFA  
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, Thail and, 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 Facilitation 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 
contribute to legitimate customs -related processes. Therefor e, 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 formalities.  
EU comment : This proposal could also be pla ced in the section on covid related sharing 
of experiences, as the importance of suppressing consularisation has increased during 
the pandemic. A flexible approach on where to list the various proposals will be 
needed.  
G/TFA/W/38/Rev.3  (Document series G/TFA/W/38 ) and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
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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 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."  
EU comment : The EU is cosponsor to document G/TFA/W/47/Rev.1 and proposes to 
instead mention the revised proposal ear lier in the text.  
G/TFA/W/47  and G/TFA/W/65  
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 complement 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, whether the transparency notifications are sufficient, 
as these notifications aim primarily to help SMEs and traders to comply with their obligations.  
EU commen t: 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  
 
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 Trade Facilitation of the WTO, Brazil 
would like to encourage customs to implement the exchange, by electronic means, of information 
and data th at are normally provided to them by traders involved in foreign trade operations.  
Therefore, we encourage those members that already have international agreements with this 
type of provision to consider the implementation of bilateral mechanisms for the ad vance 
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 encourag e the other members to pursue 
this kind of bilateral agreements.  
Given the diversity of members, whether in relation to specific interests or to their levels of 
technological capacity, Brazil understands that the set of data to be exchanged, the timing, fo rm 
and frequency should be agreed upon by the respective customs.  
G/TFA/W/51 , paras. 7 -9 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  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 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 presented at the last TFC before the conclusion of the review should 
be used. This would facilitate an unders tanding 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 presentat ions 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 ratified 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  
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 obligations under Articles 15 and 16 is outline d in Table 5.  
Table 5: Timeline of Notification Obligations under Articles 15 and 16 of the TFA  
2017  
22 February  Developing country 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 country 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  G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 16 - 
 
  2019  
22 February  Least developed country Members  • Provide TACB requirement for category 
C designations  
22 August  Developing country 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  
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 LDCs 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 LDCs  
 
3.2.  During the period under review, much of the Committee's work was focused on the receipt of 
notifications submitted by Members under those two Articles.  
3.3.  Chart 3 indicates that the highest number of notifications containing this information was 
received in 2019, followed by 2018. During the period under review, all but two Members8 submitted 
their definitive dates for implementation of category B designations and C designations.  
 
8 Djibouti and Mauritania . G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 17 - 
 
  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 developin g 
countries, while LDCs 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.  Notifications 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 mana gement (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/65  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Chart 6: Top five measures with highest 
categorization in A  Chart 7: Bottom f ive measures with 
lowest categorization in A  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
The status of notifications of final timelines for implementation of category B and C commitments 
by Developing Countries and Least Developed Countries Members should be reported. Any missing 
notification could be mentioned as well, with the explanations, if provided by  the Member concerned.  
EU comment : As the WTO Secretariat is going to propose text to reflect the latest 
reporting under Agenda item 1.2 of TFC formal meetings, EU is waiting for such text to be 
proposed.)  
G/TFA/W/49 , para. 10   
G/TFA/W/65  
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 notifications under categories A, B, and C on an article -
by-article  basis plus the common articles notified under each category. This may be relevant in 
identifying the most difficult provisions to implement in various LLDCs' 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.9 Between 13 to 22 February 2020, seven 
LDC Members requested an extension. To make a decision before the 22 Februar y 2020 deadline, 
the Committee met on 20 February. 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.10 The Committee agreed to all nine reque sts for an extension of the deadline.11 
3.8.  The notification data for 2020 includes the requests for an extension.  
 
9 LDC Members may request the Committee to grant an extension of the deadline to submit its definitive 
dates for ca tegory B under article 16:2 (b) of the TFA.  
10 The meetings of 20 and 28 February were convened 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.  
11 Afghan istan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Lao PDR, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Solomon 
Islands.  
G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 19 - 
 
  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 LLDCs stands at 
[xx] per cent. LLDCs 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 admission 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 1 0.4 on single window ([xx]%), 5.3 on test procedures ([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 advance rulings ([xx]%), 7.6 on average release times ([xx]%) and 
10.3 on use of international standards ([xx]%) lag behind in LLDCs with implementation commitment 
rates below [xx]%.  
One of the key provisions of th e TFA for the LLDCs is Article 11 on Freedom of Transit. Notifications 
on Article 11 show that LLDCs are committed to have implemented [xx]% of obligations. [xx]% of 
Article 11 obligations are committed to be implemented after a transition period and a fur ther [xx]% 
are committed to be implemented after the acquisition of capacity through technical assistance. In 
the case of the transit developing countries these figures are [xx]%, [xx]% and [xx]%, respectively."  
(See Table 1. Rate of Implementation Commitm ents by LLDCs in document 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 assistance 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 categ ory C designations; notification of information on arrangements 
entered into with Donors; and notification of progress in TACB provision.  
3.10.  Over the review period, 125 Members notified the TACB support that was required in order to 
implement their category C  designations. 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 communic ation 
technologies (ICTs). See Chart 8.  G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 20 - 
 
  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 LLDCs to demonstrate a 
clear picture of LLDCs' 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:  
"LLDCs 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 primary concerns, in 
order of importance."  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 2 iii  
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 countries 
and [xx] notifications from least developed country Members. Se e Table 6.  
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].  
G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Table 6: Number of donor arrangements and progress notifications received per year, 
per grouping  
Years  Developing Country  Least Developed Country  
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  
The status of Members that notified progress in receiving assistance to implement their category 
C commitments should be reflected in the report, as well as the status of the donors' 
contributions.  
Difficulties in organizing assistance should be reported and the conclusions from the dedicated 
session on aid discussions should be reflected in the final report.  
Insert the following text : 
At the time of finalising the report, X countries have notified the assistance provided and the 
gaps if any that remain to be filled. Given that this number X (above mentioned) is small in value 
compared to the total number (Y to be set by WTO Secretariat) of Members that notified category 
C commi tments, 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 t hese gaps.  
EU justification for adding this text : The EU is of the view that the number of countries 
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/49 , para. 17  
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 Article 17 of the TFA ("Early Warning 
Mechanism"). Requests submitted by three Members12 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 Member13 was for an extension of its implementation date exceedin g 
18 months. This request was considered by the Committee, as indicated in Article 17.4, and granted.  
3.15.  Requests from two Members14 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 countries and 90 days for least developed co untries 
before the expiration of the previously notified implementation date. There was no consensus in the 
Committee to approve the requests.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
In order to avoi d 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  
 
 
12 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) . 
13 St. Kitts and Nevis ( G/TFA/N/KNA/1/Add.1 ). 
14 Bahrain ( G/TFA/N/BHR/1/Add.1 ) and Samoa ( G/TFA/N/WSM/1/Add.2 ). G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 22 - 
 
  3.16.  In 2021, [three] requests were received from Members15 which did not adhere to the deadline 
set out in Article 17.1. There was no consensus in the Committee to approve the requests.  
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 a 
rolling 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 sh ould 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/4 9, para. 9  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.1.5   Notifications under Article 22  
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 re gard to technical 
assistance.  
3.19.  Over the period of the review, [xx] donor Members submitted [xx] notifications and [xx] 
developing country Members submitted [xx] notifications under Articles 22.1 and 22.2. [xx] LDC 
Members submitted [xx] notifications under Article 22.3.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Insert the following text:  
"In relation to aid -for trade -flows to LLDCs: since 2006, LLDC have received close to USD 85 
billion in aid -for-trade disbursement s. In 2019, LLDCs, 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 LLDCs 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; E swatini; 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.  
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 tha t aid must be primarily addressed and 
discussed/organised in the concerned country. The EU has stressed also that its programming of 
aid covers several years which should facilitate the coordination with other donors at country 
level.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
 
15 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/65  
 
- 23 - 
 
  3.21.  Over the review period, a number of Annex D+ partner organizations regularly updated the 
Committee at its meetings of their regarding their work to support implementation of the Agreement 
by Members. In 202016 and in 202117 they provided these updates in a written report.  
3.22.  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 LLDCs 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  
3.23.  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 capacity building to support the 
implementation of the TFA, including any developing or LDC Members not receiving adequate 
assistance and support fo r capacity building; (c) share experiences and information on ongoing 
assistance and support for capacity building and implementation programs, including challenges and 
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.  
3.24.  During the period under review four annual dedicated sessions have taken place. (See Table 
7 for a list of presentations and statements made during these sessions, where available.) The first 
dedicated sessi on 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 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 e dit to the factual report from the European Union  
Insert the following text:  
"Several EU member States shared experiences that complemented the EU presentations " 
EU justification : The EU presented its policy and views at this meeting and this so far is 
not reflected.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.25.  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 programs. With regard to these issues, the 
following Members made presentations or shared certain inf ormation: 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 Za mbia. In addition, Jamaica made a presentation on behalf of CARICOM, 
and Nepal intervened on behalf of the LDC Group.  
 
16 G/TFA/W/29 . 
17 G/TFA/W/39 . G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 24 - 
 
  Insert the following text:  
"Several EU member States shared experiences that complemented the EU presentations"  
EU justification : The EU p resented its policy and views at this meeting and this so far is 
not reflected.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.26.  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.  At the invitation 
of the European Union, the Committee also heard a contribution from the WCO.  
3.27.  Summaries of these presentations can be found in the minutes for the 16 October 2019 
meeting as set out at pag es 27 -45 of G/TFA/M/9 .18 
3.28.  The third dedicated session was held on 22 October 2020. As during the second session, 
Committee Members were invited to exchang e 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 a nd support for capacity building and implementation programs. With regard to these 
issues, the following Members made presentations or shared certain information: Canada; China; 
Ecuador; Eswatini;  Japan; Paraguay; and the United Kingdom. A presentation was  also made by 
Saint Lucia on behalf of the  OECS.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
"Several EU member States shared experiences that complemented the EU presentations"  
EU justification : The EU presented its policy and views at this meeting and this so far is 
not reflected.  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.29.  Summaries of these presentations and contributions are provided in greater detail in the 
minutes for the 22 October 2020 meeting as set out at pag es 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.19 With regard to recent and upcoming activities, 
the Committee heard statem ents from Brazil, Nepal (on behalf of the LDC Group), the United  States, 
as well as a presentation by GATF, as set out at pages 39 -42 of G/TFA/M/13 . 
3.30.  The fourth dedicated Session was held on 21 October 2021. During this session, [xx].  
Table 7: Presentations by Members under the Dedicated Sessions  
Member  Title Committee 
meeting  
European Union  Statement by the European Union  9-11 October 
2018 
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 
 
18 No presentations were made pertaining to the review and operation of Article 21:2 of the TFA.  
19 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/65  
 
- 25 - 
 
  Member  Title Committee 
meeting  
European Union  Statement by the European Union  9-11 October 
2018 
Germany  Ongoing Assistance and Support - Germany  2-3 May 2018  
Jamaica  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 October 
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 
 
EU justification : The EU has spoken at all dedicated sessions on aid so this should be 
reflected. EU already indicated that it was ready to share the lines it took if needed  
G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
3.4  Written submissions by Members regarding Section II  
3.31.  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 SECTION II OF THE TFA  
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.  
G/TFA/W/45/Rev.1 , para. 5 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 26 - 
 
  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 effectiveness 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 following recommended practice 
for Members who have successfully impleme nted 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 men tioning 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 category B provisions is handled by a notifying Member itself and i t 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  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
The EU proposal ( G/TFA/W/45 ) should be reflected in the report.  
EU comment : This proposal is now superseded by G/TFA/W/45/Rev.1 co -sponsored 
by the US and now a joint EU/US proposal.  
G/TFA/W/49 , para. 17   
G/TFA/W/65  
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.  
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 duration 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/65  
 
- 27 - 
 
  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 discussed 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 hav e 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 and successes to enable 
improved future capacity building support.  
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 collaboration and cooperation (including on a regional level) might best s upport a future 
implementation of specific Articles.  
G/TFA/W/54 , para. 2.2  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
4  SECTION III OF THE TFA  
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
4.1  Ratifications20 
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   
 
Chart 9: Number of ratifications per year  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
20 While the issue of ratification is not included in Section III of the TFA, this information has been 
included for the interest of Members.  1 61 40 231485 262102125139147152 154
020406080100120140160180
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Year Cumulative
Entry into force  
22 /02/2017  G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 28 - 
 
  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 Facilitati on 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 d elegations 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 Blockert (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 remaining meetings were cha ired 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 Haqjo (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 February (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 2 8 of February were chaired by 
Ambassador Mohammad HAQJO. The remaining meetings were chaired by his successor Ambassador 
Katrina NAUT (Dominican Republic) who was elected on 30 July as Chair of the Committee for 2020. 
Ambassador Naut resigned as Chairperso n in December 2020.  
4.8.  In 2021, the TFC held six formal meetings: 29 January 2021; 22 -23 March 2021; 
22-23 April 2021, 22 -23 June 2021, 27 -28 July 2021, 19 -21 October 2021. The Committee held 
[seven] informal meetings during the year. Six of those meetings we re 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. C hristopher 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.  
Table 8: Trade Facilitation Committee Meetings and Minut es 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  G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 29 - 
 
  TFC Meeting  Minutes  
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 February 2020  G/TFA/M/12  
20-22 October 2020  G/TFA/M/13  
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 Facilitation21, consisting of the General Council's Rules of 
Procedure22 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 b y the General Council on 15 November 1995, all bodies 
constituted under Agreements in Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement are required 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 2021.23 
4.2.4   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 Fac ilitation (NCTF) or designate an existing mechanism to facilitate both 
domestic coordination and implementation of the provisions of the TFA. Seventeen Members have 
 
21 G/C/M/1 36, item 4. The text of the Rules of Procedure can be found in G/L/1342. 
22 WT/L/1 61. 
23 (G/L/1201 ); (G/L/1267 ); (G/L/1329 ); (G/L/1375 ); [xx].  G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 30 - 
 
  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 October 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, UNCTAD delivered a presentation to the Committee in which 
it outlined a number of tools developed by UNCTAD t o assist Members seeking to accelerate 
implementation of the TFA.  
4.17.  [At its meeting of [xx 2021], [xx] shared experiences regarding their NCTFs.]  
Table 9: 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 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.  
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 Spanish)  11 February 2020   
Costa Rica  National Trade Facilitation Committee  (in Spanish)  12-13 February 
2019 
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 Committee on Trade Facil itation - 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 G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 31 - 
 
  Member/Presenter  Title Committee 
meeting  
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 U ruguay - 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 10: 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. Otherwise , a substantial part of the experience sharing 
may be overlooked by readers.  
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  
 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION III OF THE TFA  
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 notifications 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.  
G/TFA/W/35  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
- 32 - 
 
  Proposal from Brazil and the United States  
Proposal to formalize engagement with the private sector:  
[…] that the Committee convene informally 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 experie nce or 
identify areas of remaining challenges.  
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. Brazil 
and the United Stat es propose that any members of the private sector submit to the Secretariat 
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 acceptin g 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.  
EU comment : Engagement of the private 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 , para. 5  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
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.  
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 th e CTF 
meeting on 22 September 2021.  
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 minimum of three concrete elements that all Members agree 
are essential for implementing a successful NTFC: full gov ernment agency participation, clear 
leadership with political imperatives, and strong links to the private sector.  
G/TFA/W/56 , para. 5  
Proposal under c onsideration 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 Facilit ation Agreement Facility (TFAF) provides regular reports on its activities to the 
Committee.24 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 program that offers project preparation and project 
 
24 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/65  
 
- 33 - 
 
  implementation grants to assist Members in identifying and liaising with donors and with the 
implementation of category C measures as a contingen cy when no other assistance has been 
identified. The Facility further 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.25 
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 rela ted 
matters at a 2018 meeting of the Committee.26 UNCTAD has made several presentations, including 
a joint presentation with Rwanda in 2019 on best practices27, and the WCO has intervened several 
times to share information regarding its work in the area of trade facilitation.28 In an informal session 
of the Committee held on 30 September 2020, UNCTAD, WCO and the WBG, along with the ITC, 
and GATF, each made presentations on matters relating to measures adopted in response to the 
COVID -19 situation.29 
5.4.  In addition, the Annex D+ partner organizations provide d 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 meetin g 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.30 
6  DATABASE AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMEN TS SUPPORTING  THE WORK 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. I t 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 pla tform to 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 technical assistance disbursements provided by Members can also be accessed on the TFA 
database.  
 
25 TFAF - Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility ( http://www.tfafacility.org ). 
26 G/TFA/M/5 . 
27 G/TFA/M/9 . 
28 Most recently, at the meetings of the Committee on 26 -27 January and 3 -4 March 2021.  
29 https://tfadatabase.org/trade -facilitation -committee/meeting/2020 -09-30. 
30 G/TFA/W/39 . G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  6.7.  The TFA Database automatically feeds data to three other websites, comprising the main WTO 
website, The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) website a nd the Global Trade Helpdesk 
website.  
7  MEMBERS' GENERAL PROPOSALS  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Landlocked Developing Countries  
Incorporate into the report a separate section on LLDCs with a brief assessment of both challenges 
and ach ievements.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the United Kingdom  
Proposal that Members have the option, on a voluntary basis, to include a section for review of trade 
facilitation policies and implementation of the TFA as part of the existing TPR process in order to 
elevate trade facilitation reporting.  
Also, where a Me mber has recently submitted a TPR, a discussion on the trade facilitation aspects 
of that TPR will be included as a new agenda item at the next TFC. The Member would then present 
their trade facilitation policies and practices and begin a dialogue on these  with Members in a similar 
format to presentations which already occur in the TFC. That change would apply to upcoming TPRs 
following the completion of this four year review process, and not apply retrospectively.  
G/TFA/W/55 , paras. 2.1 -2.2 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
8  RECOMMENDATIONS  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from 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 LLDCs on a sustainable basis, with a view to the effective implementation of the 
Agreement;  
• Call for the constructive cooperation of transit countries 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;  
• Recogn ise the severe negative impacts for the progress of post -COVID -19 recovery and 
resilience building efforts of the LLDCs;  
• Considering the importance of international trade to LLDCs, addressing trade related 
challenges faced by LLDCs and building their trade  capacities is fundamental for 
mitigating the impact of the pandemic and in building back better post -COVID -19. In this 
sense, the Aid4Trade support to LLDCs is therefore fundamental to addressing the impact 
of COVID -19 and in supporting their post - COVID -19 recovery efforts;  
• Call on donors 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 LLDCs 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 parti cular between LLDC NTFCs and transit country 
NTFCs.  
G/TFA/W/53 , para. 4  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF   
 G/TFA/W/65  
 
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  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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