G/TFA/N /PAN/1  
8 May 2019 
(19-3165) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: Spanish  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM PANAMA  
The following communica tion, dated  8 May 2019 , is being circulated at th e request of the delegation 
of Panama  for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up on the notification dated 6 August 2014 (WT/PCTF/N/PAN/1), Panama  hereby makes 
the following notifications in accordance with Articles 15 and 16 of the Trade Faci litation Agreement 
(WT/L/931).  
 
 
  
  G/TFA/N/PAN/1  
 
- 2 - 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 See definitive date  1 June 2022  ­ Software and computer equipment are 
needed to implement a  TFA-consistent  
information system for foreign trade 
operations  in all the institutions concerned . 
­ Technical assistance for the  development 
of systems to safeguard and protect the 
authenticity of documents that are 
uploaded to avoid unauthorized use and 
manipulation . 
­ Staff need to be recruited and trained  to 
collect, verify and maintain the information 
published on the platform.  
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C See definitive date  1 June 2022  ­ Financial support is needed  to create and 
establish a TFA -consistent information 
system with IT equipment, software and 
other necessary tools , for all institutions 
involved in foreign trade . 
­ Technical assistance and financial support 
in the area of  IT for safeguarding and 
protecting the authenticity of documents 
that are uploaded to avoid unauthorized 
use and manipulation . 
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  A - - - 
Article 1.4  Notification  C See definitive date  1 June 2022  ­ Training on WTO notifications . 
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 See definitive date  1 June 2022  Technical and financial assistance is needed 
to: 
­ procure consultancy services so that an  
expert can conduct a diagnosis of the 
existing domestic and regional regulations 
and share best practices and capacity 
building with the agencies involved ; 
­ prepar e regulations to enable the 
implementation of this provision ;  
­ prepar e implementation procedures for all 
the agencies involved ; 
­ hire and train the relevant human 
resources in government agencies . 
Article 2.2  Consultations  B See definitive date  1 June 2021  -  
  G/TFA/N/PAN/1  
 
- 3 - 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 3  Advance Rulings  
 B See definitive date  1 January 2018  - 
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 A - - - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  A - - - 
Article 5.2  Detention  A - - - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  A - - - 
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  A - - - 
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  A - - - 
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  A - - - 
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  A - - - 
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  B See definitive date  1 January 2021  - 
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  A - - - 
Article 7.4  Risk Management  A - - - 
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  A - - - 
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  A - - - 
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  A - - - 
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  A - - - 
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/PAN/1  
 
- 4 - 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 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
Article 8.1   C See definitive date  1 January 2022  Assistance and support is requested : 
­ To learn about best practices in countries 
that have introduced joint border controls , 
so as to  gain the necessary experience . 
­ To ensure the interconnection of 
information systems between all foreign 
trade authorities, so that information is 
available to all and updated 
simultaneously . 
Article 8.2   C See definitive date  1 January 2022  Assistance and support is requested : 
­ To learn about best practices in countries 
that have introduced joint border controls , 
so as to gain the necessary experience . 
­ To ensure the interconnection of 
information systems between all foreign 
trade authorities, so that information is 
available to all and updated 
simultaneously . 
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  A - - - 
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  A - - - 
Article 10.4  Single Window  C See definitive date  1 January 2022  Technical and financial support for :  
  G/TFA/N/PAN/1  
 
- 5 - 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)  
­ acquiring equipment and  licences and 
contracting specialized computer design and 
development services, with a view to the 
continued improvement of the Single Window 
for Exports system ; 
­ the provision of equipment and software to 
create a Single Foreign Trade Window  for 
Imports , and the  development of systems for 
each of the government agencies involved ; 
­ the provision of an expert to share, with the 
government agencies involved, best 
practices in regard to document 
simplification, data harmonization, 
interoperability and inter -agency 
collaboration ;  
     ­ learning about WCO best practices;  
­ human resource training;  
­ capacity building for follow -up and 
strengthening of the project.  
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  C See definitive date  1 January 2022  Technical assistance and support to 
streamline and optimize border  processes and 
procedures with all institutions in order to 
ensure improved controls, eliminate 
unnecessary formalities  and harmonize 
requirements  for safeguarding international 
good practices . 
Article 10.8  Rejected Goods  A - - - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 A - - - 
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  
 A - - - 
 
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