G/TFA/N/LSO/2  
 
12 April 2020  
(21-3004) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF ARRANGEMENTS AND PROGRESS IN THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL 
ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING SUPPORT OF CATEGORY C DESIGNATIONS  
COMMUNICATION FROM LESOTHO  
The following communication, dated 6 April  2021 is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Lesotho . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Lesotho  hereby notifies information on the arrangements concluded and progress made in the 
provision of technical assistance and capacity building support of the following category C 
designations, in response to Article 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.2  Information available 
through internet  C 31 December 2021  To be determined  
Donors: World Bank  Group  (WBG)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support : 
Lesotho launched the Trade and Information Portal in 2013 with the assistance from the WBG.  The Trade 
and Information Portal has since been updated with the assistance of the WBG  under the Trade Facilitation 
Support Programme  in 2019 -2020.  
The Trade and Information P ortal is a web –based database system which allows all cross-border  trade 
related information to be available. These cover applicable  laws, administrative procedures, guide notes, 
permits, forms and tariff information.  www.lesothotradeportal.org.ls  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2021  To be determined  
Donors: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Multiple inquiry points are availed to tradin g community for enquiries on  matters  related to TBT, SPS and 
Customs. SPS enquires can be directed to mmolatela@yahoo.co.uk , TBT can be directed to 
dsqa.gov@gmail.com  centralised email enquiry on  customs issues can be accessed at  enquiries@lra.org.ls . 
Lesotho needs capacities that include:  
• Expan sion of  enquiry points beyond MTI, MAFS and LRA to other agencies  
• Strengthen ing SPS Committee by developing the ToRS and training  
• Capacity building on operating and maintaining enquiry poin ts 
• Coordination and monitoring (in an electronic format) of the services for all enquiry points  
 G/TFA/N/LSO/2  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 4  Procedure for appeal or 
review  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Administrative customs decisions can be appealed against by the trading community through the 
administrative process.  
The judicial process  is further catered for by  the LRA Tribunal.  
 
Lesotho needs capacities and assistance that include:  
• Capacity building on  implementing appeal procedures for stakeholders and robust marketing and 
publication  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 December 202 5 To be determined  
Donors: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) , Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
To date Assays for testing disease s such as Foot and Mouth and Peste des Petits Ruminants are successfully 
adopted through IAEA and FAO. 
Lesotho still needs TACB support from Donors to implement the following : 
• Support to develop testing parameters and accreditation for veterinary laboratories  
• ICT infrastructure and technology (networking, automation, high -speed internet)  
• Procurement of testing equipment  
• Testing kits and other relevant laboratory equipment/materials  
• Support for accreditation of national laboratories  
• Development of t he national Quality, Standards, Accreditation and Certification  
• Development of an electronic interface between the accredited laboratories  
• Capacity Building of staff operating laboratories  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: WBG 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Electronic submission of import documentation prior to the arrival of goods is allowed and operational 
throu gh ASYCUDA system with support from other Border Agencies . Within the CBM and Single Window 
further improvements are to be done catering for further harmonisation of processes for all requisite Border 
Agencies, such a common risk management process . 
Lesotho would still need TACB support needs from Donors to address : 
• Support to review draft legislation including harmonization with legal framework of all relevant 
institutions  
• Stakehol der consultations through workshops and seminars  
 G/TFA/N/LSO/2  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release 
from Final 
Determination of 
Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Release of goods pending final determination of duties and taxes is in operation. Procedures have been 
developed and approved . 
Lesotho still needs support from Donors to address the below TACB  needs include:  
• ASYCUDA System configuration to separate release from final determination of duties and taxes  
• Support for review and drafting of legislative amendments  
• Stakeholder consultations through workshops and seminars  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: WBG 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Procedures for risk management for customs control are in place. ASYCUDA selectivity criteria is used for 
the requisite assessment and compliance management thereof. CBM and NSW projects are to upgrade the 
existing infrastructure towards a common multi -agency risk management process  for all border agencies . 
Work has not beg un yet. 
TACB support is still required from Donors to address : 
• Develop multi -agency risk management framework  
• Support on the design and establishment of a risk management system  
• ICT Infra structure and technology for an automated risk management system  
• Capacity building for sustainable operations of multi -agency risk management framework  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.5  Post Clearance Audit  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors : To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Policies and procedures to manage customs risks through a post clearance audit process are operational, 
and the audit process has been automated  within the customs system . The same principles were envisaged 
to be applied across all border agencies to ease border congestion and improve regulatory compliance 
across multiple border agencies.  Implementation of NSW, would thus mean uptake of post clearance audit 
across all areas . 
TACB support needs that  still need Donor support include : 
• Support to review dr aft legislation including harmonization with legal framework of all relevant 
institutions  
• Capacity building in post clearance audit in all relevant agencies  
 G/TFA/N/LSO/2  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.6  Establishment and 
publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: WBG, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
ASYCUDA enables establishment of Release Times for in line with WCO Time Release Study methodology.  
The last Time Release Study+  was published in July 2018.  
More TACB support is still required from Donors to address : 
• Capacity bui lding on designing, planning and implementing Time Release Study for all relevant 
agencies  
• Stakeholder engagement to disseminate the results of the study  
• ICT to connect other Partner Agencies into the SW  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation 
Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors:  Southern African Development Community Trade Related Facility,  (SADC  TRF) International 
Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southern Africa (AFRITAC)  
 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The Preferred Trader Accreditation programme is  in place and provides procedures  for application within 
established criteria  for importers and exporters . The Preferred Trader Programme caters for three  of the 
seven  measures of this Article 7.7 . 
Under the SADC TRF, the Preferred Trader programme is to be expanded to cater for recognition of the 
clearing agents and transporters which are critical supply chain players to ensure high compliance to all 
border regulations. There has been a critical del ay to award consultancy services for work to start,  because 
of the challenges posed by  lockdowns due to the  COVID -19 Pandemic . Further work is ongoing to institute 
a cargo security programme. Support provide d for by IMF AFRITAC . 
Further TACB  support needed from Donors include : 
• Capacity building on design, implementation and review of authorized trader scheme  for Clearing 
Agents and Transporters  
• Stakeholder awareness campaigns  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: World Customs Organization  (WCO)  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Procedures are in place to provide for expedited release of all goods entered through all relevant border 
posts by air, rail and land for perishable goods, VIPs, essential products, for express cargo at the airport 
and for private shoppers. A simplified cl earance process and forms is completed for private shoppers and 
re-engineering of airport processes is ongoing. Low value goods  of up to ZAR 20,000  (non-commercial)  are 
expedit ed across all border posts with minimal documentary requirements.  
Further TACB s upport needed from Donors include : 
• Support on developing procedures/policies to ensure rapid release of expedited goods  
• Support on requisite infrastructure  
 G/TFA/N/LSO/2  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Procedures  are in place  to fast -track release of  perishable goods within the shortest possible time, to avoid 
loss or deterioration. This measure is applied both within and outside business hours that include providing 
priority to such goods inspection. There are limitations however on proper storage  of the goods should the 
need arise . 
Lesotho still needs TACB support  from Donors to address : 
• Support to review draft legislation including harmonization with legal framework of all relevant 
institutions  
• Infrastructure support for storage facilities  
• Stakehold er consultations  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 8  Border Agency 
Cooperation  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: WBG 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Border Management Strategy in place and a pilot on  CBM model in progress since November 2019.  
A full-fledged national CBM programme is to be implemented . 
Lesotho still needs TACB support from Donors to cover : 
• Support for improving on the current  strategy/framework for border agency cooperation  
• Capacity building for staff on border agency cooperation  
• Support for development of legislation to facilitate border agency cooperation  
• Support for development of Monitoring and Evaluation programme  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.1  Formalities and 
Documentation 
Requirements  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors:  SADC TRF  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Improvement on import and export procedures relating to exports, private shoppers, electronic submissions 
of documents, electronic certificate done. Other support required to simplify and automate other manual 
processes as regards warehousing . 
Lesotho TACB support  still needed include : 
• Support to develop a system for periodic review of formalities and documentation requirements  
• Capacity building for response  agencies on conducting periodic reviews  
• Stakeholder consultations and engagement on formalities and documentation requirements  
• Support for implementation of electronic certification of origin  
 G/TFA/N/LSO/2  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.3  Use of International 
Standards  C 31 December 202 5 To be determined  
Donors: SADC TRF 
Progress in the provision of technical assistanc e and capacity building support  
The Lesotho Standards Institution (LSI) was created in August 2020. LSI is at the verge of establishing 
formal cooperation arrangements with the South African Bureau of Standards. Other than normal 
verification exercises carried -out by Department of Standards and Qual ity Assurance Metrology section, a 
Calibration laboratory has been established which focuses on mass. Lesotho does not have a National 
Accreditation Body. All accreditation needs are handled by the National Accreditation Focal Points on behalf 
of the regio nal multi -economy accreditation body Southern African Development Community Accreditation 
Service. To date one laboratory has been accredited.  
Lesotho needs TACB support from Donors to address : 
• Capacity building for agencies on relevant international stand ards, testing procedures and 
international best practices  
• Awareness campaigns on use of international standards  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  
 Definitive date for 
implementation  
 
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2028  To be determined  
Donors: WBG 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
The NSW project will assist on this aspect. The initial  scope for connectivity is only three (3) Border 
Agencies, while the basic requirements is more than 5. The project will provide the capacity to measure 
release times over a broader multi -agency consideration.  
NSW implementation , through the WBG funding,  is in progres s, with services of a consultant yet to be 
procured to connect 3 Regulatory Agencies.  
Lesotho TACB support needed  include:  
• Support to review draft legislation including harmonization with legal framework of all relevant 
institutions Stakeholder  
• Development of a single window platform/software to allow linking of all government functions and 
connectivity issues  
• Awareness campaign on National Electronic single window  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.7  Common Border 
Procedures and 
Uniform 
Documentation 
Requirements  C 31 December 2021  To be determined  
Donor s: WBG 
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Customs procedures and documentary requirements across all border posts within the  customs automated 
system and operational . CBM processes to assists with processes for common capacity building of all staff 
across  all the border Agencies . 
Lesotho still needs further TACB support that  include:  
• Support to review draft legislation including harmonization with legal framework of all relevant 
institutions  
• Support on development of a strategy for Common Border Procedures  
• Capacity building for implementation  
 G/TFA/N/LSO/2  
 
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  Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.8  Rejected Goods  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
To be determined  
Lesotho TACB support needs include:  
• Support for development of Standard Operating Procedures for agencies  
• Capacity building on standards and related issues  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of 
Goods and Inward 
Processing  C 31 Decemb er 2021  To be determined  
Donors: To be determined  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Customs procedures for  management of temporary admission of goods  allowing goods to be imported with 
conditional relief from payment of import duties and taxes in place. The relief is facilit ated on payment of 
a guarantee covering duties & taxes due on the goods.  
Lesotho TACB support still needed  include:  
• Establish a proper mechanism to implement inward and outward processing of goods for better 
control and record keeping  
• Requisite capac ity bu ilding for implementation and awareness  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date 
for 
implementation  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  
Donors: Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ( SIDA), United Kingdom  
Progress in the provision of technical assistance and capacity building support:  
Regional Customs Connect for automatic exchange of information in place within the SACU region  for 
automatic exchange of declarations. Data and information exchange on customs controls for requests  
management is in place for all stakeholders and partners.  To suppor t improvements on the exchange of 
information within SACU, a Mutual Recognition Arrangement is in development to complement Annex E of 
the SACU Agreement for broad compliance management and/or accreditation programmes in SACU and 
with 3rd parties.  
Lesotho TACB support still needed to: 
• Support for develo pment of legal framework for a robust  exchange of information  
• Stakeholder consultations and engagements  
• Support to engage a partner on one -stop border posts  
• Support on requisite infrastructure  
 
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