G/TFA/N/ZMB/1  
 
23 October 2019  
(19-6985) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM ZAMBIA  
The following communica tion, dated  15 October 2019 , is being circulated at th e request of the 
delegation of  Zambia for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 18 January 2016 (WT/PCTF/N/ZMB/1), Zambia  hereby 
notifies that the following provision has been shifted between categories.  
 
 
In addition, Zambia also notifies its indicative and definitive dates of implementation for its category 
B and C commitments, as well as its technical assistance and capacity building support needs for its 
category C commitments.  
 
For ease of reference, Zambia's full list of category commitments are summarized in the table as 
attached herewith.  
 
 Provision  Heading/Description  Category previously 
notified  as Category shifted to  
Article 11.1 -11.3 Freedom of Transit  B C  
  G/TFA/N/ZMB/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  B 31 December 2019  30 June 2020  - 
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 31 December 2019  30 June 2020  • Stakeholder awareness campaigns to 
promote the E -Portal  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points C 31 December 2020  31 December 2020  • Expand enquiry points beyond ZRA to  other 
Agencies  
• Strengthen SPS Committee  
• Establish a national call centre to answer to 
TF issues  
• Public awareness campaigns to publicise the 
national call centre  
Article 1.4  Notification  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  • Administrative Support for the NCTF 
Secretariat  
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 31 December 2020  31 December 2020  - 
Article 2.2  Consultations  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2020  - 
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 B 31 December 2021  31 December 2021  - 
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 B 30 November 2019  30 June 2020  - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  C 31 December 2024  31 December 2024  • Support for setting up Destination 
Inspection Yards to encourage further joint 
inspections by agencies. This support is 
expected to reduce agencies at the border.  
Article 5.2  Detention  B 31 December 2024  31 December 2024  - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 December 2024  31 December 2024  • Infrastructure development of laboratory 
facilities/onsite laboratory facilities  
• Implementation of electronic interfaces 
between the accredited laboratories, XRF 
Analysers and the ASYCUDA World  
• Capacity building of staff operating 
laboratories accreditation of identified 
laboratories  
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 2021  31 December 2022  • Harmonization of statutory fees  
• Extend the use of the single payment point 
to all relevant agencies  
• Stakeholder engagements   
  G/TFA/N/ZMB/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)  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  B 31 December 2021  31 December 2022  - 
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  C 31 December 2019  31 December 2022  • Legislative review  
• Stakeholder engagement  
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  • Automation of Entry and Exit Gates  
• Introduction of mandatory Pre -Clearance  
• Stakeholder engagement  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  C 31 December 2025  31 December 2025  • Connect all other relevant agencies to the 
electronic payment system  
• Stakeholder education on e -payment  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  B 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  - 
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2025  31 December 2025  • ICT technical Infrastructure/back up and 
security preparedness  
• Develop Multi -Agency Risk Management 
Framework  
• Implement Multi-Agency Risk Management 
Framework on ASYCUDA World Selectivity 
Platform  
• Implement the Governance structures for 
Multi-Agency Risk Management framework  
• Capacity building on sustainable operations 
of Multi -Agency Risk Management 
Framework  
• Connect scanne rs to ASYCUDA World  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2025  31 December 2025  • Capacity building in Post Clearance Audit 
(PCA) in all relevant government agencies  
• Stakeholder engagement  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 December 2020  31 December 2021  • Support for capacity building for agencies to 
be able to carry our Time Release Studies in 
future for sustainability of commitments 
under Article 7.6   
  G/TFA/N/ZMB/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)  
• Stakeholder engagement to discuss and 
disseminate the results of the study  
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 31 December 2024  31 December 2024  • Support for the introduction of the multi -
agency framework for the Authorized 
Economic Operator (AEO) concept  
• Stakeholder education on benefits of being 
recognised as Authorized Economic 
Operator by any agency  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2021 31 December 2022 • Stakeholder awareness  
Article 7.9  Perishable G oods B 31 December 2025  31 December 2025  - 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 31 January 2023  31 December 2023  - 
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for I mport  under Customs Control  
 A - - - 
Article 10  Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2024  • Implementation of electronic Certificates of 
Origin with SADC, COMESA, EU and Others  
• Extend the platform to other agencies that 
issue Import/Export Permits, regulat ory 
approvals under Single Window framework  
• Stakeholder education on formalities and 
documentation requirements  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies B 31 December 2019  31 December 2020  - 
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 31 December 2024  31 December 2024  • Support Zambia Bureau of Standards 
(ZABS) in order to adopt international 
standards  
• Support ZCSA  on the application and 
Implementation of international standards 
and Conformity Assessment procedures  
• Domestication of international standards  
• Stakeholder education on domesticated 
international standards  
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2030  31 December 2030  • Support the implementation of Phase II of 
Single Window (remaining twenty -six (26) 
processes)  
• Publicity of National Electronic Single 
Window processes and activities   
  G/TFA/N/ZMB/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 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  • Automate Licensing process for Clearing 
Agents  
• Develop Self -Assessment System  
• Accreditation of Clearing Agencies  
• Capacity building of Clearing Agents  
• Stakeholder education on implemented 
activities  
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  A - - - 
Article 10.8  Rejected G oods B 31 December 2023 31 December 2023  - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  B 31 December 2023  31 December 2020  - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
   Article 11.1 -
11.3  C 31 December 2025  31 December 2025  • Implementation of electronic exchange of 
data with other Customs administrations  
• Implementation of Electronic Cargo 
Tracking System (ECTS) within Zambia  
• Implementation of Electronic Cargo 
Tracking System along corridors  
• Implementation of Regional Transit 
Guarantee Scheme  
• Stakeholder education on transit procedures 
and controls  
   Article 11.4 -
11.6  A - - - 
   Article 11.7 -
11.17   C 31 December 2030  31 December 2030  • Implementation of electronic exchange of 
data with other Customs administration  
• Implementation of Electronic Cargo 
Tracking System (ECTS) within Zambia  
• Implementation of ECTS along corridors  
• Implementation of Regional Transit 
Guarantee Scheme  
• Stakeholder e ducation on transit procedures 
and controls   
  G/TFA/N/ZMB/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)  
Article 12  Customs C ooperation  
 C 31 December 2038  31 December 2038  • Support for the implementation of OSBPs at 
the following posts: Nakonde/Tunduma 
(with Tanzania); Kasumbalesa (with DRC) 
and Chanida  (with Mozambique)  
• Stakeholder education on implemented 
reforms  
 
__________