G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
8 July 2022 
(22-5268) Page: 1/10 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original:  French  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC  
Addendum  
The following communication, the first draft of which was received on 21 June 2022, is being 
circulated at the request of the delegation of the Central African Republic for Members' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Further to the notification dated 19 December 2019 (G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2), the Central African 
Republic hereby makes the following notif ications:  
 
1) Shifting of categories with extension of definitive implementation date;  
2) the definitive implementation dates for category C measures  
 
1. The Central African Republic wishes to notify that, based on Articles 17 and 19 of the 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation, the following provisions are requested to be shifted from category 
B to category C with extended definitive implementation dates (see table below).  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category 
previously 
notified as  Category 
shifted to  Defin itive date 
for 
implementation  
Article 1.1  Publication  B C 31 December 2025  
Article 5.3  Test procedures  B C 31 December 2027  
Article 6.1  General disciplines on fees and 
charges imposed on or in connection 
with importation and exportation  B C 31 December 2027  
Article 6.2  Specific disciplines on fees and 
charges for customs processing 
imposed on or in connection with 
importation and exportation  B C 31 December  2027 
 
2. The Central African Republic also hereby makes the following notification of its definitive dates 
for implementation of its category C provisions in response to Article 16.2 of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement. For ease of reference, the Central African Re public's full list of category commitments 
can be found in the table below.  
  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 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 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  • Development of a strategy for procedures for the 
 publication of information;  
• Training of officials;  
• Providing units with the equipment needed to publish 
 information;  
• Mobilizing financial resources;  
• Revitalizing existing units;  
• Establishing units in departments that do not have 
 them;  
• Training and retraining staff in information 
 management;  
• Provision of adequate materials and equipment  
Article 1.2  Information available 
through Internet  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  1. Creation of a trade intelligence portal (TIP). This portal will 
become the interface of the single window provided for in 
Article 10.4 of the TFA. Interactive connection of TIP wit h 
customs (ASYCUDA World), commercial banks, the BEAC, 
sectoral ministries (see below), the Ministry of Commerce, 
the Chamber of Commerce (CCIMA), exporting companies, 
forwarders (customs agents), the Central African Road 
Charter Bureau (BARC), the Central  African Shippers' 
Council, the standardization agency, and any stakeholder 
in the foreign trade chain. Note: BARD is already 
connected to the Cameroonian Foreign Trade Single 
Window (GUCE) managed by the Cameroonian Ministry of 
Commerce, but the latter cu rrently manages only imports 
from the Central African Republic and not its exports. 
Assistance in enhancing interaction with users (Q&A 
system). Assistance in enabling all structures to provide 
input to the system. Provision of facilities and a server, and  
training of the focal points responsible for maintaining TIP. 
Lead donor: Enhanced Integrated Framework/WB/WTO.  
2. Support for enhancing (bandwidth) the Ministry of 
Agriculture and Rural Development website (a website 
already exists: www.madr -rca.org ), in collaboration with 
the FAO, WB and ADB, which would also include all the 
bodies directly responsible for agricultural exports and 
imports, such as the Central African Agency for the 
Monitoring, Packaging and Marketing  of Agricultural 
Products (ORCCCPA) like coffee and cacao, the National 
Cotton Office (ONC), the National Seed Office, the Office  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 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)  
in charge of food security and the Institute responsible for 
phytosanitary control. Provision of facilities and training of 
the focal points responsible for maintaining the website. 
Interactive connection of the website with TIP. Lead donor: 
FAO/WB/ADB/WTO.  
3. Support for creating a website for the Ministry of Water 
and Forests, Hunting and Fishing, connected to TIP, with 
assistance  from the VPA STP (EU FLEGT) and Forest Data 
Centre (CDF), and linked to COMIFAC. Publication of 
timber export conditions (setting of export market values) 
on the website. Provision of facilities and training of 
officials.  Interactive connection of the web site with TIP. 
Lead donor: EU FLEGT/FAO/WTO.  
4. Support for creating a website for the Ministry of Livestock 
and Animal Health, with the OIE. Provision of facilities and 
training of the focal points responsible for maintaining the 
website. Connection to the p ortal. Lead donor: OIE/WTO.  
5. Support for the website of the Ministry responsible for 
mines, with the Permanent Secretariat of the Kimberley 
Process, and connection to TIP. Inclusion of mining 
companies and mining cooperatives on the website of the 
Special A nti-Fraud Unit (USAF) of the Bureau for the 
Valuation and Control of Diamonds and Gold (BECDOR). 
Provision of facilities and training of the focal points 
responsible for maintaining the website. Connection to the 
portal. Lead donor: SPPK/WTO.  
Article 1.3  Enquiry points  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  Support for establishing enquiry points linked to the National 
Trade Facilitation Committee (CNFE ) in all the ministerial 
departments and institutions forming the CNFE, particularly 
in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, at customs, and in the 
Ministries in charge of Agriculture, Water and Forests, 
Livestock, Mines, and Transport. Assistance in traini ng two 
persons per enquiry point. Assistance in providing persons 
responsible for enquiry points with the necessary computer 
equipment.  
Article 1.4  Notification  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  Assistance in training persons responsible for enquiry points 
in how to make notifications to the WTO. Support for 
establishing or upgrading the focal point for Technical 
Barriers to Trade (TBT), and a focal point for Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), at the Ministries of 
Agriculture, Water an d Forests, and Livestock.   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 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 2  Opportunity to comment, information before entry into force and consultations  
Article 2.1  Opportunity to comment 
and information before 
entry into force  A - - - 
Article 2.2  Consultations  A - - - 
Article 3  Advance rulings  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  1. Workshops on raising awareness of the advance ruling 
mechanism (WTO/WCO).  
2. Capacity -building on origin, type of tariff and value 
(WTO/WCO).  
3. Assistance in implementing the legal framework and 
infrastructure for advance rulings (WTO/WCO).  
4. Financial support for the internal and external extension 
of the advance ruling mechanism (WTO).  
5. Assistance in implementing a computerized system to 
manage the advance rulings programme, with a view to 
making c ustoms procedures paperless (WCO/UNCTAD).  
Article 4  Procedures for appeal or review  
 A - - - 
Article 5  Other measures to enhance impartiality, non -discrimination and transparency  
Article 5.1  Notifications for enhanced 
controls or inspections  A - - - 
Article 5.2  Detention  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2026  1. Funding for migration of customs from ASYCUDA ++ to 
ASYCUDA World (UNCTAD, WB and WTO);  
2. Assistance for customs and licensed customs clearing 
agents in connecting non -automated offices, with a view 
to formalizing a procedure to inform licensed customs 
clearing agents of the detention of cargo for inspection 
(UNCTAD, WB and WTO);  
3. Assistance for other government border agencies 
(procedures, automated processing system), with a view 
to making arran gements for formal notification, as soon 
as possible, of the goods inspection to be conducted  
(UNCTAD, WB and WTO);  
4. Funding for training of domestic actors  
(ADB, WB and WTO);  
5. Assistance for customs in improving automatic selection 
for inspections (% of the  various green, yellow and red 
channels) (UNCTAD, WB, WCO and WTO);   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 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)  
6. Assistance for Central African Customs in implementing 
comprehensive risk management (WB, UNCTAD, WCO 
and WTO);  
7. Funding to purchase non -intrusive inspection equipment 
(scanners, etc.) (WB,  WTO and ADB).  
Article 5.3  Test procedures  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  Developing a legal framework for standardization, 
accreditation and quality  
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  31 December 2027  Evaluating the cost -effectiveness of the service provided;  
Establishing the periodic review mechanism;  
Training staff in their respective areas  
Article 6.2  Specific disciplines on fees 
and charges for customs 
processing imposed on or in 
connection with importation 
and exportation  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  Evaluating the cost -effectiveness of the service provided;  
Establishing the periodic review mechanism;  
Training staff in their respective areas  
Article 6.3  Penalty disciplines  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2026  1. Assistance with legal expertise to bring the legislative 
framework into line with the TFA (WCO/WTO).  
2. Financial support for workshops on extending the measure 
(WCO/WTO).  
3. Implementation of an incentive strategy to compensate for 
the loss of drawbacks due to penalties (WCO/WTO/MINFI).  
Article 7  Release and clearance of goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival processing  C 31 December 2022    31 December 2028  1. Technical assistance in implementing the regulatory 
framework integrating all border agencies (WCO/WTO).  
2. Financial support for workshops on raising awareness and 
extension of regulations (WCO/WTO).  
3. Technical assistance in implementing a risk management 
system (WCO – technical support/WTO – funding).  
4. Support for establishing an advance passenger information 
(API/PNR) mechanism (WCO).  
Article 7.2  Electronic payment  C 31 December 2024  31 December 2029  1. Assistance in setting up the legal framework for electronic 
payment (electronic signature) (WCO/UNCTAD/EDIFACT, 
WTO).  
2. Funding to interface ASYCUDA and the Treasury and the 
banking systems to enable customs to accept credit card 
payments (WCO/UNCTAD/EDIFACT, WTO).  
3. Funding to train customs and treasury officials in electronic 
payment systems (WCO/UNCTAD/EDIFACT, WTO).   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 6 - 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 7.3  Separation of release from 
final determination of 
customs duties, taxes, fees 
and charges  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  1. Financial support for workshops on raising awareness and 
extension of the measure (WTO/WCO).  
2. Assistance in putting in place legislation and 
administrative arrangements that reflect the principles 
contained in the WCO Guidelines for the Immediate 
Release of Consignments by Customs (Immediate Release 
Guidelines) (WCO/WTO).  
Article 7.4  Risk manageme nt C 31 December 2024  31 December 2028  1. Assistance with benchmarking in a member country of the 
WCO-WCA region, e.g. Burkina Faso (WTO).  
2. Technical assistance in developing an inter -agency risk 
management strategy and an institutional framework with 
mechanisms for sharing risk -related data and information 
(WCO).  
3. Technical assistance in setting up the legal framework for 
risk management and selective examinations relating to 
the automated clearance system (WCO).  
4. Capacity -building for the competent auth orities on risk 
management (WCO/UNCTAD); capacity -building on the 
WCO Guidelines for Post -Clearance Audit for the 
post-clearance structure (WCO/WTO).  
5. Financial support to ensure that risk criteria is regularly 
reviewed and updated (WTO).  
6. Funding of migrati on to ASYCUDA World and, in particular, 
its single window module (WTO/UNCTAD).  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance audit  A - - - 
Article 7.6  Establishment and 
publication of average 
release times  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2025  1. Assistance in organizing a workshop on the time release 
study (TRS) with all border agencies (WCO).  
2. Training of the multidisciplinary TRS team in the use of 
WCO software and planning of the TRS (WCO).  
3. Assistance in conducting the TRS and publishing its 
findings (WTO/ADB /AFRIBANK/WB).  
Article 7.7  Trade facilitation measures 
for authorized operators  C 31 December 2024  31 December 2025  1. Assistance with a training workshop for all stakeholders on 
the concepts of authorized economic operators and 
authorized operators.  
2. Assistance with benchmarking in a country that has 
already implemented the measure (WTO).  
3. Assistance in providing (for at least three months) an 
expert to bring the legal framework into conformity and to 
set up authorized operator and authorized  economic 
operator programmes (WCO/WTO).   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 7 - 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  C 31 December 2024  31 December 2025  1. Assistance in establishing, through a legal text (based on 
the WCO  Immediate Release Guidelines), the criteria for 
prior authorization to use expedited release procedures; 
and in publishing such criteria (criteria for eligibility for the 
procedure/definition of documents and basic information 
required at the time of clea ring) (WCO).  
2. Assistance in establishing an automated goods declaration 
system to accommodate the expedited shipment channel 
(WCO/UNCTAD).  
Article 7.9  Perishable goods  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  1. Funding for electricity supply points for refrigerated 
containers and perishable goods (WTO, WB and ADB).  
2. Assistance in establishing formal procedures between 
border agencies to ensure that examination and release of 
perishable goods are carried out as a m atter of priority 
(WCO/WTO/UNCTAD and WB).  
3. Funding to train customs and other border agents in 
procedures for the expedited release and clearance of 
perishable goods (WB, ADB, WCO and WTO).  
4. Funding for appropriate facilities for the storage of 
perishable g oods pending their release (WB, WTO and 
ADB).   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 8 - 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  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  1. Assistance in establishing memorandums of understanding 
between customs and border agencies to define the remit 
of each entity and possible cooperation to ensure effective 
coordinated border management (CBM, including 
exchange of information and intelligence; exercise of joint 
operations and controls; common risk management; 
sharing of equipment and facilities) (WB/WCO/WTO).  
2. Assistanc e in establishing, allocating resources to and 
funding the National Trade Facilitation Committee. 
Providing the Committee with resources to ensure the 
coordination, steering and implementation of the TFA 
(WTO and WCO).  
3. Assistance in training of border agents in inter -agency 
cooperation requirements and procedures (WTO and 
WCO).  
4. Funding of single window border post facilities 
(WB/ECCAS).  
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  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  1. Putting in place the legislative framework (e.g. by means 
of a decree, as the Central African Republic has ratified the 
Revised Kyoto Convention) providing for mandatory 
procedures for the periodic review, by customs, of 
documentation requirements and import, export and 
transit formalities, in collaboration with all the bodies 
involved in these processes.  
2. Ensuring that these procedures provide for the invitation 
of the private sector to these periodic reviews. Currently, 
every quarter, customs invites forwarders and private -
sector representatives to informal discussions on an ad hoc 
basis.  
3. Assistance in training officials in how to develop document 
analysis methods and formalities in order to reduce their 
negative impact on trade.  
4. The new legislative framework must establish procedures 
to amend the relevant legislation if certain formalities or 
documents are no longer required. E.g. the Observatory of 
Procedures of Madagascar/WTO.   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 9 - 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)  
5. Assistance in setting up an office at customs to coordinate 
the process. Lead donor: (WCO/WTO).  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of copies  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  1. Assistance in introducing legislation authorizing customs 
and other border agencies to accept copies of supporting 
documents required for import, export and transit 
formalities in place of the original, subject to any 
excepti ons or conditions that may be justified (WTO and 
WCO).  
2. Assistance for customs in transcribing TFA provisions on 
acceptance of copies (WCO/CEMAC/WTO).  
3. Funding to train customs and other border agents in the 
new regulations on acceptance of copies (WTO, WCO and 
CEMAC).  
Article 10.3  Use of international 
standards  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  1. Assistance in reviewing domestic procedures, rules and 
regulations and bringing them into line with international 
conventions (regional and multilateral framework) 
(WCO/WTO).  
2. Support for participation in meetings on the development 
and updating of international standards (WCO, AU, CEMAC, 
ECCAS and WCO).  
3. Assist ance in transcribing international standards into 
domestic legislation (WTO, CEMAC, ECCAS and WCO).  
Article 10.4  Single window  A - - - 
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  A - - - 
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  
 C 31 December 2024  31 December 2024  1. Assistance in establishing a legal framework that 
encourages customs, subject to mutual arrangements 
established and ratified by States, to exchange 
intelligence on the prevention, investigation and 
punishment of customs offences, and on the fight against 
intellectual crime, including money laundering, with  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.3  
 
- 10 - 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)  
similar administrations of foreign countries and with 
international organizations dealing with customs or trade 
matters (transit  countries/WTO).  
2. Designation and training of an entity and agents 
specifically responsible for matters relating to cooperation 
and international mutual assistance agreements (IMAA and 
WCO).  
3. Assistance in implementing the WCO guidelines on 
international tra nsit of landlocked countries (WCO/WTO).  
4. Assistance in signing bilateral transit facilitation protocols 
with neighbouring countries.  
 
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