G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
19 August  2022 
(22-6326) Page: 1/14 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original:  French  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM MADAGASCAR  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated 19 August 2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Madagascar for Members' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up on the notification dated 26 February 2020 (G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.2), the Republic of 
Madagascar hereby notifies its definitive implementation dates for its category C 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 2026  
Article 1.2  Information Available Through Internet  31 December 2026  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  31 December 2026  
Article 1.4  Notification  31 December 2026  
Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and Information before 
Entry into Force  31 December 2026  
Article 2.2  Consultations  31 December 2026  
Article 3  Advance Rulings  31 December 2025  
Article 5.1  Notifications for Enhanced Controls or Inspections  31 December 2035  
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  31 December 2035  
Article 6.1  General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on 
or in Connection with Importation and Exportation  31 December 2035  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for Customs 
Processing Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  31 December 2035  
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  31 December 2035  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  31 December 2035  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  31 December 2035  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final Determination of 
Customs Duties, Taxes, Fees and Charges  31 December 2035  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  31 December 2035  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  31 December 2035  
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators  31 December 2035  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  31 December 2035  
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  31 December 2035  
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  31 December 2035  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation Requirements  31 December 2035  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  31 December 2035  
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  31 December 2035  
Article 10.4 Single Window  31 December 2035  
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  31 December 2035  
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  31 December 2035  
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  31 December 2026  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
- 2 - 
  Provision  Heading/description  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  31 December 2035  
 
For ease of reference, Madagascar's full list of category commitments can be found in the table 
below.  
 
   
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2026  - Legal framework for the 
publication of information on 
import/export procedures  
- Training for technicians on online 
publication procedures  
- Provision of ultra -fast broadband 
for all ministries and control 
agencies, and the Permanent 
Secretariat of the National 
Committee on Trade Facilitation 
(CNFE)  
- Supply of net working material for 
ministries and control and 
inspection agencies  
Article 1.2  Information Available Through Internet  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2026  - Legal framework for the creation 
and operation of the portal and 
the establishment of a database  
- Establishment of a comprehensive 
tariff database and a trade 
information portal  
- Recruitment of a consultancy firm 
to conduct a feasibility study and 
establish a comprehensive tariff 
database and a trade information 
portal  
- Purchase of the new ICT 
equipment and software needed 
to establish a comprehensive 
tariff database and a trade 
information portal  
- Establishment of a technical team 
of qualified resource persons to 
manage the portal and a technical 
team to manage the 
comprehensive tariff datab ase 
- Provision of IT equipment, office 
space and furniture for the 
specific teams  
- Subsidy for the provision of ultra -
fast broadband for all ministries 
and control agencies, and the   
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
Permanent Secretariat of the 
CNFE  
- Supply of networking material for 
ministri es and control and 
inspection agencies that will 
communicate relevant information 
for publication  
- Maintenance of the new ICT 
material obtained  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2026  - Legal framework for the 
establishment of trade enquiry 
points  
- Provision of ultra -fast broadband 
for all ministries and control 
agencies, and the Permanent 
Secretariat of the CNFE  
- Supply of networking material for 
ministries and control and 
inspection agencies  
- Establishment of a t echnical team 
of qualified resource persons to 
manage the enquiry points  
- Provision of IT equipment, office 
space and furniture for the 
dedicated team  
- Subsidy for the provision of ultra -
fast broadband for all ministries 
and control agencies  
- Supply of networ king material for 
ministries and control and 
inspection agencies that will 
communicate relevant information 
for publication  
- Maintenance of the new ICT 
material obtained  
Article 1.4  Notification  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2026  - Capacity -building for the 
Permanent Secretariat of the 
CNFE with regard to notifications  
- Provision of new ICT material for 
the Permanent Secretariat of the 
CNFE  that will make it possible to   
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
collect, centralize and send 
notifications and raise awareness 
in the departments concerned  
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 31 December 2023  31 December 2026  - Implementation of an effective 
prior consultation service provided 
online and by telephone to 
address comments on draft 
legislation or regulations on 
exports and imports before their 
entry into force  
- Legal framework for the 
implementation of the service  
- Awareness -raising for operators 
on the use of the service  
- Establishment of a qualified and 
equipped call centre team to 
collect, process, and respond to 
comments and requests  
Article 2.2  Consultations  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2026  - Support for the creation of a 
regulatory framework to 
implement a consultation 
mechanism  
- Logistical and technical support 
for CNFE consultations    
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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 3  Advance Rulings  
  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2025  - Benchmarking for the assessment 
of best practices with respect to 
advance rulings  
- Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Revision of the legal framework  
- Implementation of effective 
infrastructure for the application 
in Madagascar of the advance 
ruling on origin and tariff 
classification  
- Implementation of a regulatory 
framework on advance rulings  
- Training and awareness -raising 
for the operators and authorities 
concerned on t he application of 
advance rulings  
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
  A - - - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notifications for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Establishment of a system for 
issuing notifications on enhanced 
controls and inspections of goods 
based on risk  
- Training on the SAFE framework 
of standards and other relevant 
international standards for 
technicians carrying out controls 
and inspections of goods  
Article 5.2  Detention  A - - - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Development of national quality 
standards and implementation of 
national accreditation and quality 
certification processes  
- Review of the Standards Law    
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
- Upgrading of the ICT 
infrastructure of the Madagascar 
Bureau of Standards (BNM)  
- Specialized software services for 
the new laborat ory- Establishment 
of a computerized system for 
enhanced export controls  
- Establishment of a rapid alert 
system for imports  
- Support for the accreditation of 
test laboratories  
- Food technology laboratory at the 
Ministry of Agro -Industry and 
Food Security  
- Mode rnization of animal health 
laboratories, including 
infrastructure and equipment, at 
the Ministry of Agro -Industry  
- Provision of rapid food -testing 
equipment and usable elements 
for on -the-spot decision -making 
concerning the release of food 
consignments at t he Ministry of 
Health and Quality of Life  
- Strengthening of pest and disease 
diagnosis facilities at the Ministry 
of Agro -Industry and Food 
Security  
- Provision of certified mobile 
laboratories  
- Capacity -building for the national 
chemical and biological residu es 
laboratory through the purchase 
of equipment, material and 
reagents, the enhanced 
implementation of diagnostic 
methods, increased staff training 
and strengthened laboratory 
infrastructure  
- Specialized software services for 
disease surveillance at the   
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
Ministry of Agro -Industry and 
Food Security  
- Training and capacity -building for 
officials at the BNM with regard to 
test procedures and for 
technicians/laboratory 
researchers  
- Benchmarking for the assessment 
of best practices  
- Awareness -raising for all 
stakeholders on procedures and 
regulations relating to test 
procedures  
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 2025  31 December 2035  Recruitment of a consultancy firm 
for the:  
- Identification and analysis of gaps 
in the legal frameworks and 
existing procedures concerning 
fees and charges  
- Updating and harmonizing of the 
legal framework and procedures 
in line with the findings of the 
above -mentioned analysis  
- Development of an institutional 
framework for consultations and 
coordination between all 
stakeholders with regard to Article 
6.1 
- Identi fication of stakeholders' 
infrastructure and training needs 
related to Article 6.1  
- Benchmarking for the assessment 
of best practices on stakeholder 
coordination within the 
institutional framework with 
regard to the transparency of fees 
and charges imposed on 
importation and exportation  
- Awareness -raising and 
communication of the regulations   
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
and procedures related to 
Article  6.1 
- Establishment and training of a 
technical team of qualified 
resource persons to manage the 
enquiry points for the entity 
concerned  
- Provision of IT equipment, office 
space and furniture for the 
dedicated team  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  
 C 31 December 2025  31 December 2035  Recruitment of a consultancy firm 
for the:  
- Identification and analysis of gaps 
in the legal f rameworks and 
existing procedures concerning 
customs -related fees and charges  
- Design and harmonization of the 
customs -related legal framework 
and procedures with a view to 
establishing a national policy  
- Identification of the infrastructure 
and training needs of each border 
area concerned by the 
implementation of Article 6.2  
- Benchmarking of best practices 
regarding fees and charges for 
customs processing in cooperation 
with other entities involved  
- Provision of IT equipment, office 
space and furni ture for the 
dedicated team  
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2035  - Performance of a regulatory audit 
on penalties  
- Revision of regulations on 
penalties  
- Coordination of action taken by 
the authorities concerned  
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices    
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
- Revision of the legal framework  
- Training and awareness -raising 
for strategic stakeholders in 
respect of pre -arrival processing  
- Support for the development of 
customs information system 
software to automatically process 
declarations and documents prior 
to the arrival of goods  
- Provision of the new ICT 
equipment needed for the 
inspections carried out by all 
competent border authorities  
- Establishment of a network for 
border authorities through the 
customs information system  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Implementation of a legal 
framework for electronic payment  
- Implementation of an electronic 
payment mechanism  
- Awareness -raising for banks, 
operators and the competent 
authorities in respect of the 
electronic payment mechanism  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Revision of release -related 
regulations to facilitate the 
customs clearance of goods  
- Provision of ultra -fast broadband  
- Training for technicians and 
customs officials  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2035  - Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Revision of the legal framework  
- Benchmarking for the assessment 
of best practices on risk 
management  
- Establishment of an appropriate 
infrastructure for border risk 
management  
- Provision of the tools needed for 
risk management (drug detection   
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
scanners, explosives detectors, 
cameras, X -ray machines, drug 
testin g kits, security equipment, 
sniffer dogs adapted to a tropical 
climate, utility vehicles, maritime 
patrol boats and other modern 
scanning and detection 
equipment)  
- Capacity -building for resource 
persons with regard to risk 
management  
- Establishment of a cros s-border 
risk management team  
- Awareness -raising in respect of 
risk management for all the 
national stakeholders concerned  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Revision of the legal framework  
- Establishment of an appropriate 
infrastructure for the 
implementation of post -clearance 
controls in accordance with the 
recommendations of the World 
Customs Organization  
Article 7. 6 Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  A - - - 
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for 
Authorized Operators  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Training on the SAFE Framework  
- Development of the National 
Authorized Economic Operators 
Programme  
- Training and awareness -raising 
for border officials and traders  
- Benchmarking for the assessment 
of best practices regarding the 
National Authorized Economic 
Operators Programme and the 
Programme on Mutual Recognition 
Agreements    
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2035  - Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Revision of the legal framework  
- Support for the implementation of 
a cold chain at borders  
- Training and awareness -raising 
for border officials and operators 
on expedited shipments  
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Strengthening of the border 
infrastructure necessary for the 
conservation of perishable 
foodstuffs  
- Improvement of the legal 
framework governing the 
treatment of perishable goods  
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Benchmarking for the assessment 
of best practices for coordinated 
border management  
- Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Implementation of the necessary 
technical infrastructure  
- Awareness -raising for the 
strategic stakeholders concerned  
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs Control  
  A - - - 
Article 10  Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Establishment of a national trade 
observatory  
- Benchmarking for the assessment 
of best practices regarding the 
trade observatory  
- Preparation of a pocket guide or 
manual for importers and 
exporters  
- Harmonization of formalities and 
documentation requirements    
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
- Alignment of formalities and 
documentation requirements with 
international standards and best 
practices  
- Training and awareness -raising 
for border officials and authorities 
in respect of formalities and 
documentation requirements  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2035  - Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Revision of the legal framework  
- Training for border officials and 
awareness -raising for operators  
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2035  - Technical and financial support for 
the BNM to develop national 
standards based on the relevant 
international standards  
- Revitalization of the National 
Standardization Council (CNN)  
- Standardization  of control and 
inspection laboratories  
- Awareness -raising for members of 
the CNFE and operators in respect 
of technical barriers to trade  
- Support for the participation of 
the BNM in the development and 
periodic review of standards by 
the relevant internat ional 
organizations  
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Benchmarking for countries with 
an operational and effective 
national electronic single window  
- Institutional anchoring of the 
National Electronic Single Window  
- Technical and financial support for 
the establishment and 
operationalization of the National 
Electronic Single Window  
- Capacity -building for the 
administrators of the National 
Electronic Single Window    
  G/TFA/N/MDG/1/Add.3  
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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)  
- Awareness -raising for operators 
on the use of the Nation al 
Electronic Single Window  
- Maintenance and monitoring of 
the National Electronic Single 
Window  
- Support for the activities of the 
CNFE working group on the 
National Electronic Single Window  
Article 10.5  Preshipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Alignment of national regulations 
with international standards and 
best practices  
- Revision of the legal framework  
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2035  - Benchmarking of countries with 
best practices on coordinated 
border management  
- Review of the legal framework 
regarding procedures and 
documentation requirements at 
the border and harmonization of 
border authority regulations  
- Training for border officials on 
standards to be applied with 
regard to coordinated border 
management  
- Awareness -raising for 
stakeholders on border 
regulations and pr ocedures  
Article 10.8  Rejected Goods  A - - - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and 
Inward and Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2026  To be determined  
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  
  C 31 December 2021  31 December 2035  - Technical assistance for the 
implementation of the National 
Customs Enforcement Network 
(nCEN) and the necessary 
infrastructure  
__________