G/TFA/W/53  
 
16 July 2021  
(21-5654) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FOUR YEAR REVIEW  
ARTICLE 23.1.6 OF THE TFA  
COMMENTS ON THE WTO SECRETARIAT FACTUAL REPORT (G/TFA/W/41)  
COMMUNICATION FROM MONGOLIA  ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING 
COUNTRIES  
The following communication, dated 15 July 2021, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Mongolia  on behalf of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries . 
 
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1. LLDC group would like to suggest the following items for considerati on with regard to the First 
Review of the Operation and Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement Factual Report 
contained in document G/TFA/W/41:  
• Add a table to reflect the number of LLDC notifications under categories A, B, and C on an 
article b y article basis plus the common articles notified under each category. This may be 
relevant in identifying the most difficult provisions to implement in various LLDCs' experience 
or those requiring assistance under category C;  
• Present comparative trade (ex port and import) data based on the different groups of 
countries such as developed, developing, LLDCs and LDCs from the year 2017 to 2020. This 
would be essential for the general understanding of the relation between TFA implementation 
and a global trade s cenario in different groups of Members;  
• Include a chart identifying the type of technical assistance required by LLDCs to demonstrate 
a clear picture of LLDCs' priority;  
• Incorporate into the report a separate section on LLDCs with a brief assessment of both 
challenges and achievements. This woul d provide a clear understanding of the situation of 
the LLDCs in TFA implementation and areas for collaboration, especially in transit facilitation.  
 
2. In this regard, the group suggests the Secretariat including the following factual information 
in the repo rt: 
i. Out of 26 LLDCs that are members to WTO, all have ratified the TFA. As of 1 June 2021, the 
implementation rate of the TFA by LLDCs stands at 50.7 per cent. LLDCs have been 
successful in the implementation of 10.5 on preshipment inspection (92.3%), 5.2 on 
detention (88.5%), 9 on movement of goods (88.5%), 10.6 on use of customs brokers 
(84.6%), 10.9 on temporary admission of goods and inward and outward processing 
(80.8%), 10.8 on rejected goods (76.9%) and 10.7 on common border procedures (73.1%) 
with c urrent implementation rates above 70 per cent.  
 
ii. However, articles 10.4 on single window (23.1%), 5.3 on test procedures (26.9%), 7.7 on 
authorized operators (26.9%), 8 on border agency cooperation (27.6%), 7.4 on risk 
management (33.7%), 1.3 on enquiry poi nts (34.6%), 7.8 on expedited shipments (34.6%), 
1.2 on information available through internet (38.5%), 3 on advance rulings (38.5%), 7.6 
on average release times (38.5%) and 10.3 on use of international standards (38.5%) lag 
behind with implementation rat es below 40% in LLDCs.  
 G/TFA/W/53  
 
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  Table 1. Rate of TFA implementation commitments by LLDCs  
Article  Heading/Description  Global rate  of 
implementation 
commitments  
(%) LLDC rate  of 
implementation 
commitments  
(%) Category C future 
implementation 
commitment s 
1.1 Publication  67.1 46.2 26.9 
1.2 Information available through 
internet  65.5 38.5 53.8 
1.3 Enquiry points  64.6 34.6 61.5 
1.4 Notification  71.8 57.7 15.4 
2.1 Comments and information 
before entry into force  73.8 65.4 7.7 
2.2 Consultations  70.6 53.8 11.5 
3 Advance rulings  61.8 38.5 30.8 
4 Procedures for appeal or review  78.9 65.4 15.4 
5.1 Notifications for enhanced 
controls or inspections  68.6 50 34.6 
5.2 Detention  89 88.5 3.8 
5.3 Test procedures  55.8 26.9 69.2 
6.1 General disciplines on fees and 
charges  69.9 65.4 15.4 
6.2 Specific disciplines on fees and 
charges  71.8 69.2 11.5 
6.3 Penalty disciplines  81.9 65.4 7.7 
7.1 Pre-arrival processing  74.2 42.3 42.3 
7.2 Electronic payment  68.7 46.2 42.3 
7.3 Separation of release  79.5 65.4 11.5 
7.4 Risk management  59.8 33.7 66.3 
7.5 Post-clearance audit  68.7 46.2 50 
7.6 Average release times  63.8 38.5 57.7 
7.7 Authorized operators  54.3 26.9 57.7 
7.8 Expedited shipments  72.3 34.6 50 
7.9 Perishable goods  72.4 46.2 30.8 
8 Border agency cooperation  59 27.6 71.8 
9 Movement of goods  90.2 88.5 3.8 
10.1 Formalities  69.8 50 46.2 
10.2 Acceptance of copies  70.8 46.2 26.9 
10.3 Use of international standards  69.9 38.5 53.8 
10.4 Single window  45.1 23.1 73.1 
10.5 Preshipment  inspection  91.1 92.3 7.7 
10.6 Use of customs brokers  87.1 84.6 7.7 
10.7 Common border procedures  83.5 73.1 11.5 
10.8 Rejected goods  86.5 76.9 7.7 
10.9 Temporary admission of goods 
and inward and outward 
processing  86.8 80.8 3.8 
11 Transit  76.1 58.4 20.7 
12 Customs cooperation  70.8 57 39 
 G/TFA/W/53  
 
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  iii. LLDCs have identified human resources and training, legislative and regulatory frameworks, 
and information and communication technologies, infrastructure and equipment, 
institutional procedures, awareness -raising, diagnostic and needs assessment as their 
primary concerns, in order of importance.  
 
iv. In relation to aid -for trade -flows to LLDCs: since 2006, LLDC have received close to USD 85 
billion in aid -for-trade disbursements. In 2019, LLDCs, received disbursements of USD 7.7 
billion, slightly less than in 2018 (USD 8.0 billion). Yet, at 17%, the share of Aid for Trade 
going to LLDCs as compared to global disbursements has been relatively stable since 2017.  
 
v. Five LLDC members have notified dono r arrangements and technical assistance progress.  
 
vi. One of the key provisions of the TFA for the LLDCs is Article 11 on Freedom of Transit. 
Notifications on Article 11 show that LLDCs have implemented 58.4% of obligations. 20.9% 
of Article 11 obligations wi ll be implemented after a transition period and a further 20.7% 
will be implemented after the acquisition of capacity through technical assistance. In the 
case of the transit developing countries these figures are 56.7%, 14.3% and 29.0%, 
respectively.  
 
vii. Mongolia and the Kyrgyz Republic circulated information on their National Transit 
Coordinator in accordance with article 11.17.  
 
3. Under the sub -heading 3.2. "Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions", insert a 
summary of common issues and constraints o f LLDCs for the general understanding of the issues 
and challenges faced by such a group of countries.  
Recommendations  
4. LLDC group suggests that the following recommendations are included in the report:  
• Urge Members to continue to provide technical, financial and capacity building assistance to 
LLDCs on a sustainable basis, with a view to the effective implementation of th e Agreement;  
• Call for the constructive cooperation of transit countries for the early and effective 
implementation of disciplines that will contribute to reducing transit time and costs, simplify 
procedures and introduce greater certainty in cross -border t rade;  
• Recognise the severe negative impacts for the progress of post -COVID -19 recovery and 
resilience building efforts of the LLDCs;  
• Considering the importance of international trade to LLDCs, addressing trade related 
challenges faced by LLDCs and building  their trade capacities is fundamental for mitigating 
the impact of the pandemic and in building back better post -COVID -19. In this sense, the 
Aid4Trade support to LLDCs is therefore fundamental to addressing the impact of COVID -19 
and in supporting their post- COVID -19 recovery efforts;  
• Call on donors and development partners to pay more attention to LLDCs in granting 
technical assistance, especially for the implementation of articles which lag behind;  
• Encourage LLDC Members to notify donor arrangements an d technical assistance progress;  
• Encourage LLDCs and Transit Members to nominate their National Transit Coordinator and 
inform the Committee;  
• Encourage further cooperation between National Trade Facilitation Committees, sharing best 
practices and experienc es, in particular between LLDC NTFCs and transit country NTFCs.  
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