G/TFA/N/MRT/1  
26 April 2019 
(19-2855) Page: 1/9 
Committee  on Trade Facilitation  Original: French  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM MAURITANIA  
The following communication, dated 2 4 April 2 019, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Mauritania for Members' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Mauritania hereby makes the following notifications in accordance with Articles 15 and 16 of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
   
  G/TFA/N/MRT/1  
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 1  Publication and Availability of Information  
Article 1.1  Publication  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Funding to augment the budget of 
the body responsible for the 
Official Journal  
− Assistance in updating and 
distributing practical guides on 
import, export and transit 
procedures  
− Assistance in improving visibility 
and communication with users  
− Assistance in enhancing 
interaction with users (Q&A 
system)  
− Assistance in supplying domestic 
agencies with materials and 
equipment  
(France/Switzerland)  
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  B 31 December 2 020 To be determined  - 
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in obtaining necessary 
computer equipment for enquiry 
points (Switzerland)  
− Assistance in training staff in how 
to manage and communicate 
information (Switzerland)  
Article 1.4  Notification  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in training individuals 
in how to complete WTO 
notifications  
− Assistance in provid ing the 
individual responsible for WTO 
notifications with the necessary 
computer equipment 
(Switzerland)  
Article 2  Opportunity to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations  
Article 2.1  Opportunity  to Comment and 
Information Before Entry into Force  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in establishing a 
process to release draft 
trade -related legal texts for public 
consultation prior to their 
implementation (Switzerland)    
  G/TFA/N/MRT/1  
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 2.2  Consultations  C 31 December 2 021 To be determined  − Assistance in defining a legal 
framework for implementation of 
an appropriate consultation 
mechanism  
− Assistance in training  the border 
staff responsible for consultations  
− Assistance in creating a website 
or platform for communicating 
with the public (Switzerland)  
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 C 31 December 2 024 To be determined  − Legal expert to set up a legal 
framework  
− Legal expert to establish 
procedures  
− IT expert to design an automated 
system  
− Assistance in promoting outreach 
activities  
(WCO/UNCTAD)  
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in publishing manuals 
on dispute procedures (WCO)  
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  C 31 December 2 024 
 
 
 
 
  To be determined  − Establishment of a rapid alert 
system for imports (via Intranet 
or the Single Window) connecting 
all border posts  
− Training of agents operating the 
alert system  
− Intranet system or the creation of 
a digital platform for information 
exchange (EU)  
Article 5.2  Detention  A - - -   
  G/TFA/N/MRT/1  
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance from a country that 
has made this amendment to its 
customs code and submitted  
Category A notifications  
− Assistance in developing 
procedures for second tests  
− Training of officers in how to 
weigh the results of the two tests  
(Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal , Morocco)  
Article 6  Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation and Penalties  
Article 6.1  General Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  C 31 December  2022 To be determined  − Assistance in setting up a periodic 
review of all fees  
− Assistance with the regular, 
electronic publication of all fees  
(WTO)  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in setting up a periodic 
review of all customs fees  
− Assistance with the regular, 
electronic publication of all 
customs fees (WTO)  
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  A - - -   
  G/TFA/N/MRT/1  
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in establishing a 
regulatory framework for the 
processing of import 
documentation prior to the arrival 
of goods  
− Assistance in acquiring specific 
equipment : scanners and server 
memory cards  
(WCO)  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in introduc ing 
implementing texts from 
countries that have set up 
electronic payment  systems  
− Planning for changes to Treasury 
regulations to allow for electronic 
payment of import and export 
duties  
− Interfacing of ASYCUDA and the 
Treasury and banking systems to 
enable cu stoms to accept credit 
card payments  
− A study of the three systems to 
find a standard interface language 
along the lines of ISO 8583  
− Second interfacing with the future 
national payments system (RTGS 
and SWIFT) . Payment for the 
services of an IT firm special ized 
in interfacing  
− Training of customs and Treasury 
officers in electronic payments 
and payment systems  
− Credit card terminals and other 
necessary infrastructure to be 
funded for Customs, the Treasury 
and the banking system  
(WCO/UNCTAD/EDIFACT)  
Article 7.3 Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  A - - -   
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2 024 To be determined  − Assistance in establishing a legal 
and regulatory framework  
− Development of a risk 
management strategy  
− Establishment of control 
procedures on the basis of risk 
management principles  
− Regular reviews of formal risk 
management plans  
− Mechanism to disseminate risk 
information to all offices  
− Creation of a dedicated risk 
analysis body  
− Assistanc e in training system 
operators  
− Creation of a risk analysis and 
management model  
(WCO/AFRITAC)  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2 024 To be determined  − Assistance in creating a dedicated 
post-clearance audit service  
− Assistance in training  
− Provision of IT expertise  
(AFRITAC/WCO/GIZ)  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Carrying out of a study on the 
average release time  
− Development of common 
procedures for determining the 
release time  
− Creation of a committee 
comprising several agencies to 
measure the average release time 
of goods  
− Training in designing, planning, 
conducting and analysing a TRS  
− Training on the use of WCO 
software (WCO)  
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures  for 
Authorized Operators  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Expertise in creating a legal 
framework for AEOs  
− Customs expert to train staff in 
how AEOs function 
(WCO/AFRITAC)    
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  A - - - 
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  A - - - 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 31 December 2 024 To be determined  − Assistance in forming bilateral 
committees with neighbouring 
countries ; making use of ECOWAS 
customs cooperation mechanisms  
(ECOWAS Commission)  
− Assistance from countries that 
have instituted information 
exchange on goods in transit 
(Côte d'Ivoire)  
− Assistance in setting up 
juxtaposed customs offices (Mali)  
− Help in acceding to the TIR 
Convention and the Convention 
on Temporary Admission (ATA)  
− Help with cargo tracking to 
replace escorts (Mali)  
(TIR Secretariat and ECOWAS 
countries)  
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs Control  
 A - - - 
Article 10  Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  A - - - 
Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in changing 
procedures from, for example, a 
neighbouring country that has 
changed its procedures (Senegal)  
− Training of customs officers in 
accepting copies in connection 
with the single window (Senegal)  
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance from the WCO in 
implementing the revised Kyoto 
Convention and the Istanbul 
Convention  
− Assistance in implementing the 
simplified declaration (WCO)    
  G/TFA/N/MRT/1  
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Joint assistance from the 
WCO/UNCTAD and the 
International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) in conducting 
a feasibility study on a single  
window under the Ministry of 
Finance (Customs)  
− Assistance from the 
WCO/UNCTAD in developing 
ASYCUDA as an electronic 
platform connecting all 
participants in the import, export 
and transit processes  
− Help in signing the FAL 
Convention, which has an annex 
that recommends digital formats, 
unification of procedures and the 
creation of a port community 
(WCO/UNCTAD/IMO)  
Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
Article 10.8  Rejected Goods  A - - - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and 
Inward and Outward Processing  C 31 December 2 021 To be determined  − Benchmarking study tour  
− Training on supervising and 
verifying manufacturing 
operations for inward processing 
regimes  
− Module on managing production 
records for the monitoring of 
inward processing  
− Implementation of module on 
managing exemptions and 
temporary  admission  
− Capacity building  
(WCO)  
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 C 31 December 2 022 To be determined  − Assistance in modernizing the 
transit system and the main 
corridors (World Bank)    
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Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories B and C)  Assistance and Support for 
Capacity Building Required for 
Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  
 A - - - 
 
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