G/TFA/N/TON/1/Add.2  
 
23 August 2019  
(19-5440) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM TONGA  
Addendum  
The following communica tion, dated  21 August 2019 , is being circulated at th e request of the 
delegation of  Tonga for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 1 5 October  2018 (G/TFA/N/TON/1 /Add.1 ), the Kingdom of 
Tonga hereby notifies its definitive implementation dates for its category C commitments in response 
to Article 16  of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.2 Information Available through Internet  31 December 2029  
Article 2.1 Opportunity to Comment and Information Before 
Entry into Force  31 December 202 4 
Article 3 Advance Rulings  31 December 202 4 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  31 December 2029  
Article 7.4 Risk Management  31 December 202 4 
Article 7. 5 Post-clearance Audit  31 December 202 4 
Article 7. 6 Establishment and Publication of Average Release 
Times  31 December 202 4 
Article 7. 7 Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorised 
Operators  31 December 202 4 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  31 December 202 4 
Article 10. 1 Formalities and Documentation Requirements  31 December 202 4 
Article 10. 2 Acceptance of Copies  31 December 202 4 
Article 1 0.3 Use of International Standards  31 December 202 4 
Article 1 0.4 Single Window  31 December 202 9 
 
For ease of reference, Tonga's full list of category commitments are summari sed in the table as 
attached herewith.  
 
  
  G/TFA/N/TON/1/Add.2  
 
- 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  B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 22 February 2019  31 December 2029  Support to amalgamate all information into a 
trade portal for purpose of complying with 
Article 1 sub articles 2.1 and 2.3.  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points B 22 February 2019  31 December 2020  - 
Article 1.4  Notification  B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations   
Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and Information 
Before Entry into Force  C 22 February 2020  31 December 2024  Support to establish a consultation 
mechanism and provide with legal basis e.g. 
legislation . 
Article 2.2  Consultations  B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 C 22 February 2019  31 December 2024  Customs need establishment  of the Legal 
Framework and need Capacity Building for 
staffs . 
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non-Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 5.2  Detention  B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 22 February 2022  31 December 2029  Customs Discussed and agreed to C as there 
is no procedures set in place for that 
requirement . 
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  B 22 August 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  A - - - 
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  A - - - 
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/TON/1/Add.2  
 
- 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)  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  A - - - 
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 22 February 2018  31 December 2024  Legal/Policy:  
• Technical assistance to develop a 
mechanism to ensure enhanced 
coordination and collaboration between 
border agencies on risk identification 
and application of risk management.  
Procedures:  
• Technical assistance to develop 
necessa ry procedures that ensures 
effective implement ation of risk 
management system.  
Human Resources/Training:  
• Technical assistance to develop capacity 
in relevant border agencies to ensure 
understanding and application of risk 
assessment and risk management to 
allow for better risk identification, 
analysis, assessment and treatment.   
ICT: 
• Enhance technological ca pacity for 
border agencies necessary to implement 
the risk management system.  
Infrastructure/Equipment:  
• Provision of appropriate technology and 
equipment to support the 
implementation of a proper risk 
management system.  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit C 22 February 2022  31 December 2024  Support as per Note 1 below.  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 22 February 2022  31 December 2024  Technical assistance to be provided to 
Customs to develop capacity to undertake 
periodic T ime Release Studies (TRS) . 
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 22 February 2022  31 December 2024  Support as per Note 1 below.  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  B 22 August 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 7.9  Perishable G oods B 22 August 2018  31 December 2020  -  
  G/TFA/N/TON/1/Add.2  
 
- 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 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 22 February 2018  31 December 2024  Procedures:  
• Support on developing a framewor k for 
border agency cooperation; draw up of a 
harmonized border procedures manual 
for border agencies.  
• Preparation of texts establishing and 
organizing joint controls and one -stop 
border post control.  
Human Resources/Training:  
• Support for staff on border agency 
cooperation.  
• Training in and awareness -raising of 
new cooperation practices for border 
agency officials.  
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for I mport  under Customs Control  
 B 22 August 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 10  Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  C 22 February 2020  31 December 2024  Support to develop p olicy and legislative 
framework.  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies C 22 February 2018  31 December 2024  Support to develop p olicy and legislative 
framework.  
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 22 February 2022  31 December 2024  Support to develop policy or procedure on 
the examination of relevant international 
standards and to enable Tonga to meet the 
recommendation of WCO to become RKC 
compliant.  
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 22 February 2022  31 December 2029  Support to for a  feasibility study to 
investigate viability of a Single Window 
system and based on results further support 
to implement  - if viable.  
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 G oods B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  -  
  G/TFA/N/TON/1/Add.2  
 
- 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 12  Customs C ooperation  
 B 22 February 2018  31 December 2020  - 
 
Note 1:  
 
• Technical assistance will be needed to develop processes and procedures that incorporate the following in all aspects of risk management:  
o Draft a cargo clearance policy and process incorporating a risk based framework and PCA using the RKC as a guide  
o Draft terms of reference for the risk management committee  
o Draft position description for staff in volved in risk management and set up a risk management unit  
o Train Custom s and Quarantine staff on analys ing available transaction data from CMS and identifying criteria for high risk cargo  
o Develop risk profiles using available transaction data from CMS  
o Train Customs and Quarantine staff on implementation of a risk based approach in the clearance of cargo  
 
 
• Technical assistance will be needed to develop processes and procedures that incorporate the following in all aspects of PCA:  
o Draft position description for staff involved in PCA and strengthen the PCA unit  
o Train Custom s and Quarantine staff on analys ing available transaction data from CMS and selecting entries/companies for desk audits and field audits  
o Train Customs and Quarantine staff on PCA  
o Draft and i mplement an awareness program to educate the trading community on the role of PCA and legislat ive requirements related to PCA  
 
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