G/TFA/N/LSO/1/Add.1  
 
28 February 2020  
(20-1514) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM LESOTHO  
Addendum  
The following communica tion, dated  21 February  2020, is being circulated at th e request of the 
delegation of  Lesotho  for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 4 June 2018 (G/TFA/N/LSO/1), Lesotho  hereby makes the 
following notifications : 
 
(1) Shifting of categories , (2) definitive dates of implementation for category B commitments , and 
(3) technical assistance and support for capacity building for category C commitments.  
 
(1) Lesotho hereby notifies, pursuant to Article 19.1 of the Trade Facilitation  Agreement , that the 
following provisions have been shifted between categories.  
 
 
(2) Lesotho hereby notifies its definitive dates of implementation for its category B commitments  
in response to Article 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Definitive Date for 
Implementation  
   Article 1.1  Publication  31 December 2021  
Article 1.4  Notification  31 December 2022  
Article 2.2  Consultations  31 December 2021  
   Article 3  Advance Rulings  31 December 2022  
   Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  31 December 2023  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies 31 December 2025  
   Article 11  Freedom of Transit  31 December 2021  
 
For ease of reference, Lesotho 's full list of category commitments can be found in the table 
attached herewith.  
 Provision  Heading/Description  Category 
previously 
notified as  Category 
shifted to  
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  B C 
   Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  B C  
  G/TFA/N/LSO/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  B 31 December 20 19 31 December 2021  - 
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 31 December 20 21 To be determined  • Support with the software for upgrade of 
Lesotho Trade Portal (LTP) that can publish 
the current trade regulations including but 
not limited to administrative procedures, 
agencies to visit, results or ou tcomes, 
forms, requirements, licenses, permits, 
penalties applicable in case of breach, 
applicable fees, duration of each procedure 
and laws that justify the procedure and its 
contents in a step by step manner.  
• Technical assistance to build a user -friendly  
interface with clear import and export 
procedures for each product.  
• Awareness (education and communications) 
campaigns to promote the use of LTP.  
• Capacity building to ensure maintenance 
and extension of the LTP.  
• Service Level Agreements which outline 
procedure for review and provision of the 
updates by Agencies.  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points C 31 December 2021  To be determined  • Expand enquiry points beyond MTI, MAFS 
and LRA to other agencies . 
• Strengthen SPS Committee by developing 
the ToRs and training . 
• Capacity building on operating and 
maintaining enquiry points . 
• Coordination and monitoring (in an 
electronic format) of the services for all 
enquiry points.  
Article 1.4  Notification  B 31 December 2021  31 December 2022  - 
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations   
Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and Information 
Before Entry into Force  A - - - 
Article 2.2  Consultations  B 31 December 2019  31 December 2021  - 
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 B 31 December 2021  31 December 2022  -  
  G/TFA/N/LSO/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)  
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support to review draft legislation.  
• Operationalize LRA 's Tribunal Body including 
its capacity building.  
• Capacity building on implementing appeal 
procedures.  
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 2023  To be determined  • Support to develop testing parameters and 
accreditation for veterinary laboratories.  
• ICT infrastructure and technology 
(networking, automation, high -speed 
internet).  
• Procurement of testing equipment  
• Testing kits and other relevant laboratory 
equipment/materials . 
• Support for accreditation of national 
laboratories.  
• Development of the national Quality, 
Standards, accreditation and certification.  
• Development of an electronic interface 
between the accredit ed laboratories.  
• Capacity Building of staff operating 
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  A - - - 
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  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support to review draft legislation including 
harmonization with legal framework of all 
relevant institutions . 
• Stakeholder consultations through 
workshops and seminars .  
  G/TFA/N/LSO/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)  
• Capacity building to implement the law . 
• Development of communication and change 
management strategy . 
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  B 31 December 2023  31 December 2023  - 
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support for review and drafting of legislative 
amendments.  
• Stakeholder consultations through 
workshops and seminars.  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Develop multi -agency risk management 
framework.  
• Support on the design and establishment of 
a risk management system.  
• ICT Infrastructure and technology for an 
automated risk management system.  
• Capacity building for sustainable operations 
of multi -agency risk management 
framework.  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support to review draft legislation including 
harmonization with legal framework of all 
relevant institutions.  
• Capacity building in post clearance audit in 
all relevant agencies.  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Capacity building on designing, planning 
and implementing Time Release Study for all 
relevant agencies.  
• Stakeholder engagement to disseminate the 
results of the stud y. 
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Capacity building on design, implementation 
and review of authorized trader scheme.  
• Support for development of the multi -
agency framework for the Authorized 
Operators.  
• Stakeholder Awareness campaigns.  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support on developing procedures/policies 
to ensure rapid release of expedited goods.  
• Support on requisite infrastructure.  
Article 7.9  Perishable G oods C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support to review draft legislation including 
harmonization with legal framework of all 
relevant institutions.  
• Infrastructure support for storage facilities.  
• Stakeholder consultations.   
  G/TFA/N/LSO/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 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support for developing a 
strategy/framework for border agency 
cooperation.  
• Capacity building for staff on border agency 
cooperation.  
• Support for development of legislation to 
facilitate border agency cooperation.  
• Support for Development of Monitoring and 
Evaluation programme.  
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 2023  To be determined  • Support to develop a system for periodic 
review of formalities and documentation 
requirements.  
• Capacity building for responsible agencies 
on conducting periodic reviews.  
• Stakeholder consultations and engagement 
on formalities and documentation 
requirements.  
• Support for implementation of electronic 
certification of origin.  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies B 31 December 2023  31 December 2025  - 
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Capacity building for agencies on relevant 
international standards, testing procedures 
and international best practices.  
• Awareness campaigns on use of 
international standards.  
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2028  To be determined  • Support to review draft legislation including 
harmonization with legal framework of all 
relevant institutions Stakeholder awareness 
campaigns on National Electronic single 
window . 
Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/LSO/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)  
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  C 31 December 2021  To be determined  • Support to review draft legislation including 
harmonization with legal framework of all 
relevant institutions . 
• Support on development of a strategy for 
Common Border Procedures . 
• Capacity building for implementation . 
Article 10.8  Rejected G oods C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support for development of Standard 
Operating Procedures for agencies . 
• Capacity building on standards and related 
issues . 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  C 31 December 2021  To be determined  • Establish clear procedures, policy and 
guidelines for control and management of 
temporary admission of goods . 
• Establish a proper mechanism to implement 
inward and outward processing of goods for 
better control and record keeping . 
• Requisite Capacity building for 
implementation . 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 B 31 December 2019  31 December 2021  - 
Article 12  Customs C ooperation  
 C 31 December 2023  To be determined  • Support for development of legal framework 
for the exchange of information . 
• Stakeholder consultations and 
engagements . 
• Support to engage a partner on one -stop 
border posts . 
• Support on requisite infrastructure . 
 
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