G/TFA/N/NPL/1/Add.4  
 
 
16 August  2023 
(23-5550) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM NEPAL  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated  14 August 2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Nepal . 
 
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Following up from the notification dated 20 July 2022  (G/TFA/N/NPL/1/Add. 3), Nepal hereby 
makes the following notifications:  
 
1)  Shifting of categories  
2)  Categor y C definitive implementation dates  
 
1. Nepal hereby notifies that the following provisions have been shifted betwe en ca tegories, in 
response to Article 19 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
Article  Heading/Description  Category  
previously 
notified as  Category 
Shifted to  Indicative date  Definitive date  
1.3 Enquiry Points  C B 31 December 2025  31 Dece mber 2025 
2.1 Opportunity to Comment 
and Information Before 
Entry into Force  C B 31 December 2023  31 December 2024  
 
2. At the same time, Nepal  hereby notifies the definitive dates for category C commitment  in 
response to  Article  16.2 (f) of the Trade Facili tation Agreement (WT/L/931) . 
 
 
 
  
  G/TFA/N/NPL/1/Add.4  
 
- 2 -  
Article Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date  
 Definitive date  
 Assistance and Support for Capacity Building Required 
for Implementation   
 
1.2 Information Available 
through Internet  C 31 December 2025  31 Decemb er 2025 • Map existing IT infrastructure in all core agencies and 
identify the gaps for linking with the trad e portal 
• Upgrade ICT infrastructure and software, and technical 
support to maintain and update the ICT platforms  
• Training of staff operating the sys tem and awareness 
program for potential users of the trade portal  
4 Procedures for Appeal or 
Review  C 30 June 2025  31 December 2026  • Design the structure of the new forum for appeals and 
review along with the new workflow processes  
• Training and capacity building of the Customs staff   
5.1 Notification for Enhanced 
Controls or Inspections  C 31 December 2025  31 December 2030  • Review all relevant laws and rules to incorporate provisions 
for immediate termination of enhanced c ontrols when risk is 
neutralize d  
• IT infrastructure for establishing and running automated 
controls system  
• Training of staff of core agencies for implementing risk -
based system and for implementation of enhanced controls  
• Support to design of the monitori ng mechanism  
• Cross -country expe rience sharing and its replication in 
Nepal's context  
5.3 Test Procedures  C 31 December 2027  31 December 2030  • Conduct gap analysis in the laws and the IT infrastructure 
in each agency  
• Develop risk -based system with the i ssuance of notices and 
reports f or test procedures  
• Provide t echnical training and equipment for next 
generation genome sequencing (NGS)/high sequencing and 
genomic analysis of plant viruses for verification of 
compliance in trade  
• Strengthen laboratories a nd prepare a consolidated 
databa se for the laboratories  
• Review the scope of laboratories and cross -country 
experience sharing and its  replication in Nepal's context  
7.4 Risk Management  C 31 December 2027  31 July 2028  • Draft the relevant provisions in the legal 
documents/policies/SOPs f or risk-based profiling, selection, 
feedback loops  
• Automate implementation of risk management system and 
link all implementing agencies for risk management 
implementation  
• Establish integrated risk management system  
• Develop diagnostic protocols for pests   
  G/TFA/N/NPL/1/Add.4  
 
- 3 - Article Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date  
 Definitive date  
 Assistance and Support for Capacity Building Required 
for Implementation   
 
• Strengthen e -Phyto system  
• Support in pest risk analysis  
• Support in development, testing and implementation of 
online sapling tracking system for post entry quarantine and 
internal quarantine management  
• Support in strengthening national quarantine systems i n the 
areas identified in the third -party assessment  
• Staff training and capacity -building in risk assessment, risk -
based inspection, pest risk analysis and risk -based   
 
7.7 Trade Facilitation Measures 
for Authorized Operators  C 31 December 2027  31 Decembe r 2027 • Amend the legal provisions in line with the requirements of 
the TFA  
• Set up processes for online application for authorized 
operator and devise the selection criteria   
• Cross -country experience sharing and its replication in 
Nepal's context  
• Staff tr aining and capacity building  
 
7.8 Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2027  31 December 2028  • Review the legal provision for expedited shipments for 
qualifying goods  
• ICT inf rastructure and software to automate the processes 
for online processing of request s for expedited shipments  
8 Border Agency Cooperation  C 31 December 2027  31 December 20 30 • Establish functional mechanisms (including MoUs) 
between/among agencies  
• Prepare a master plan for common facilities and develop 
SOPs for border agency cooperation  
• Designing mechanisms for sharing of data and information  
• Capacity building and staff training on border agency 
cooperation and intern ational best practices  
• Cross -country experience sharing and its replication in 
Nepal's context  
• ICT support to engineer new business processes  
9 Movement of Goods 
Intended for Import  under 
Customs Control  C 31 December 2027  31 December 2031  • Introduce automated tracking of consignments within 
Customs authorities from end to end  
• Staff training and capacity building for the  usage of the new 
systems and processes   
10.1 Formalities and 
Documentation 
Requirements  C 31 December 2025  31 December 2026  • Review document and formalities across all agencies and 
suggest simplification, standardization, and harmoniza tion 
• Develop testing  and accreditation facilities  
• Conduct awareness training programs for producers, 
traders and exporters about certification processes   
  G/TFA/N/NPL/1/Add.4  
 
- 4 - Article Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date  
 Definitive date  
 Assistance and Support for Capacity Building Required 
for Implementation   
 
• Organize awareness programs for SMEs, cottage industries 
and handicrafts producers for quality enhancem ent 
• Develop a system  for periodic review  
• Staff training and capacity building  
 
10.3 Use of International 
Standards  C 31 December 2029  31 December 2030  • Conduct periodic review of international standards and 
lessons learned for implementation  
• Conduct re gular gap analysis, r eview of the processes, 
forms and documents required to align with international 
standards  
• Revise systems and processes based on the lessons learned  
• Training and capacity building of staff on international 
standards requirements and use of new business p rocesses 
as well as IT enabled systems and processes  
• Support to review legal provisions on customs law and 
requisite subsidiary legislation in place for consistent 
implementation  across multiple agencies  
10.4 Single Window  C 31 December 2032  31 December  2026 • Strengthen e -Phyto system  
• Staff training and capacity building  
• Awareness raising and capacity building of private sectors 
on use and benefits of single window   
12 Customs Cooperation  C 31 Decembe r 2029 31 December 2032  • Cross country experience shar ing and compliance regime  
• Training and capacity building  
 
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