G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
5 January 2022  
(22-0047) Page: 1/12 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER THE  
AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated 21 December 2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Antigua and Barbuda for Members' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up on the notification submitted on 23 August 2019 TFA/N/ ATG/1), Antigua and Barbuda 
has the honor to notify that Article 7. 5 (Post Audit -Clearance ) was fully implemen ted on 
30 November 2021, ahead of the initial ly notified  deadline of 1 January 2022. 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Previous ly notified 
definitive date of 
Implementation  New definitive date of 
Implementation  
Article 7.5  Post-Clearance Audit    1 January 2022  30 November 2021  
 
For ease of reference, Antigua and Barbuda 's full list of category commitments is summarized in the 
table attached hereto.   
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.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 31 December 2025  
 1 January 2035  Technical/Capacity Building 
needs:  
Legal expertise to update / draft 
relevant legislation,  
 
• Assistance to formulate written 
policy between government 
departments that regulates the 
publication of information,  
 
• Technical assistance to translate 
information into other WTO 
language as well as Mandarin, as 
appropriate,  
 
• Training of human resource in the 
relevant ministries and 
departments inclusive of the 
Ministry of Information.  
 
• Develop a sustainable platform to  
address security concerns.  
 
• Assistance to publish information 
in a timely manner; to be user 
friendly etc. rulings on the 
classification or valuation of 
products for customs purposes.  
 
• Assistance to review  
Agreements or parts thereof  
with any country or countries  
relating to importation and  
exportation or transit,  
 
• Develop administrative 
procedures relating to the  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.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)  
imposition on tariff quotas to be 
made readily available,  
 
• Develop a strategic approach to 
the publication of trade relate d 
information to allow for access in 
an easy and reliable manner -. 
Legislations (tariffs, fees, import 
and export procedure),  
 
• Co-ordinate an approach to 
disseminate information between 
relevant agencies in a timely 
manner.  
   Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 31 December 2030  1 January 2035  Technical/Capacity Building needs  
 
• Legal expertise to develop 
legislations.  
 
• Develop a comprehensive 
information technology - (IT) 
strategy system.  
 
• Technical assistance related to 
ITC hardware and software 
setting.  
 
• Training, of staff and additional 
human resource is required. To 
deal with the task of the issue of 
monitoring laws  online,  
 
• Assistance to Create / Update an 
information management system,  
 
• Implement web -publication policy 
and guidelines,  
 
• Assistance to develop security 
and protection of domain.  
  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.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)  
• Develop mechanism to determine 
funding for continuous hosting of 
website.   
   Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2030  
 1 January 2035  • Establish a central enquiry point,  
 
• Designate satellite departments 
to act as representative 
disciplines such as: Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs,  
Bureau of Standards,  
Ministry of Trade,   
Ministry of Agriculture; Plant  
Protection Unit,  
Ministry of Health,   
 
• Establish a sustainable network to 
receive and disseminate 
information . 
 
• Develop a co -ordinated approach 
to handle enquiries in a timely 
manner.  
 
Training of human resource to monitor 
and disseminate  information to other 
government agencies.  
 
• Financial assistance and technical 
advice for certain government 
agencies and departments with 
limited financial and human 
resources.  
 
   Article 1.4   Notification  B   1 January 2022  1 January 2025  
 - 
 
 
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations  
 
   Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and 
Information Before Entry into Force  B  1 January 2022  1 January 2025  
   
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.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)  
   Article 2.2  Consultations  C 31 December 2025  
 1 January 2030  • Develop relevant Legal and 
Administrative document that 
deals with policy on consultation   
and procedures.  
 
Assistance to establish a formalized 
mechanism to facilitate consultations on a 
regular basis, which involves;  
 
1) inviting the private sector into th e 
NTFC,  
2) conducting surveys to collect 
information on trade -related 
procedures and sharing findings 
with the public for consultations, 
and  
3)  Collaboration with the 
technicians as well as the legal 
team from different ministries.  
 
Article 3       Advance Rulings  C 31 December 2035  
 1 January 2038   Assistance to develop relevant 
laws and  administrative 
procedures,  
 
 Establish a process to facilitate 
the continuous update of 
content,  
 
 Technical assistance to regularly 
update  tariff classification and 
valuation.  
 
• Provide ICT Technical support to 
ensure that publications are 
always accessible in an easy  
manner.  
 
 Training of personnel assigned to 
the task.  
  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
- 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)  
 Establish procedure for making 
and processing request.  
 
Article 4       Procedures for Appeal or Review  B 1 January 2025  1 January 2030  
 
 - 
 
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  C 31 December 2030  
 1 January 2034  • Develop required legislation.  
  
• Review of administrative 
procedure , 
 
 
 Draft legal or administrative 
procedure for second testing.  
 
 Establish a laboratory 
accreditation program (human 
and financial resources).  
 
 Establish accredited list of 
laboratories.  
 
 Training of human resource to 
build technical capacity.  
 
 
 Financial assistance to allocate 
financial resources for 
infrastructure and equipment  
development for testing  
Facilities.  
  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
- 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)  
• Procedure to ascertain cost for 
services rendered.  
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 2031  
 1 January 2035  • Technical assistance to update 
legislation.  
• Policy guidance to analyse 
existing fees and reasons for 
adjusting,  
• Assistance to draft guidelines for 
levying charge,  
• Categorizing of services charged,  
• Procedure to ascertain cost for 
each of these services rendered,  
• Regularly update inform ation.  
 
   Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or 
in Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  C 31 December 2031  
 1 January 2035  • Reliable update mechanism to 
analyse existing fees and 
reasons for adjustment,  
 
• Drafting guidelines for levying 
charge,  
 
• Categorize services charged,  
 
• Ascertain cost for each of these 
services rendered,  
 
• Regular update of information.  
 
   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  A  - - 
  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
- 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 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, 
Taxes, Fees and Charges  A  - - 
   Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2031  
 1 January 2035  • Technical assistance to establish 
a framework that would 
encourage collaboration amongst 
relevant agencies such as the 
Bureau of Standards, Plant 
Protection, Ministry of Health and 
Customs Department and 
Custom Brokers.  
• Technical assistance to develop a 
sustainable ICT framework such 
as portal,  
 
• Training of human resource, to 
improve Customs operations.  
 
• Assistance to train and sensitize 
customs brokers.  
 
• Technical assistance required for 
infrastructural and equipment 
upgrade at border.  
   Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  B 1 January 2021  30 November 2021 
 
 - 
 
   Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of 
Average Release Times  C 31 December 2030  
 1 January 2035  • Technical assistance to establish 
to establish and have access to 
average release time.  
 
• Training of human resource, to 
improve capacity of borders 
agencies to accomplish task.  
 
• Assistance to train and sensitize 
custom brokers.   
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
- 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)  
• Establish a portal link to the 
ASYCUDA WORLD; since multiple 
agencies are invo lved, verification 
must be done with all.  
 
   Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for 
Authorized Operators  C  31 December 2031  
 1 January 2035  • Legal expertise to update / draft 
the relevant legislation,  
• Assistance required to develop 
accurate record keeping and 
readily availability of information,  
• Establish a system to encourage 
co-ordination among 
stakeholders , 
• Create a single window for 
declaration for all imports or 
exports in a given period; To 
encourage fewer physical 
inspections and exami nations,  
• Formalization of a regulatory 
framework for authorized 
operators.  
• Establish mechanism of specific 
warehouse s that are secured , 
• Develop criteria that would be 
designated specific to trusted 
trader,   
• Training of human resource, to 
improve Customs o perations.  
   Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  A - - - 
  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
- 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)  
   Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  A - - - 
 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  A - - - 
 
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended  
for Import under Customs Control         
     B  
  1 January 2030   
1 January 2035  
  
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      
   Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2031  
 1 January 2035  • Assistance to develop    
harmonize legislation,  
 
• Establish co -ordination between 
border agency,  
 
• Technical assistance   
      to build capacity - training  
      human resource,  
 
• Identify and maintain a 
framework which encourage  
confidentiality ,  
  
• Develop and Update of IT 
systems,  
 
• Provide ICT Technical support to 
ensure IT networking - 
integration,  
 
• Financial assistance to  support 
infrastructure.  
   Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
 
   Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
- 11 - 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 10.7.2  Common Border Procedures and 
Uniform Documentation Requirements  B 1 January 2022  1 January 2025  - 
   Article 10.8.  
(paragraph 1)  Rejected Goods  C 31 December 2031  
 1 January 2036  • Technical assistance to develop 
legal and regulatory framework 
to deal with rejected goods.   
 
 Training of human resources  
technical capacity  assigned  to 
the task.  
 
• Assistance to develop appropriate 
Customs procedure to build 
capacity to implement this 
measure.  
 
14 Temporary Admission of Goods and 
Inward and Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  A - - - 
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  C 31 December 2030  
 1 January 2034  • Technical assistance to develop 
legal and regulatory policies to 
deal with Customs cooperate with 
each other in the region (required 
harmonized legislations,  
 
• Assistance to develop a physical 
agreement to establish  a formal 
system; among multiple border 
agencies,  
 
    • Training of human resource to 
promote border coordination.  
 
• Assistance to develop appropriate 
Customs procedure.  
 
• Provide ICT Technical support to 
ensure IT networking - 
integration.  
  
  G/TFA/N/ATG/1/Add.1  
 
- 12 - 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)  
    • This measure is currently being 
implemented (may be fully) as 
part of the WCO accession 
process.  
 
• Financial assistance to  support 
infrastructure and  
interconnectivity.  
 
 
__________