G/TFA/N/BRB/1/Add.1  
 
22 August 2019  
(19-5391) Page: 1/9 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM BARBADOS  
Addendum  
The following communica tion, dated 19 August 2019 , is being circulated at th e request of the 
delegation of  Barbados  for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 27 February 2019  (G/TFA/N/BRB/1) , Barbados  hereby 
makes the following notification s of its definitive dates  as well as its needs for technical assistance 
and support for capacity building for its category C provisions  in response  to Articles 15 and 16 of 
the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
 
At the same time , Barbados is pleased  to notify that the following provisions have been shifted 
between categories.  
 Provision  Head/Description  Definitive date of 
implementation  
   Article 1.1 Publication  31 December 2028  
   Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  31 December 2028  
   Article 1.4  Notification  31 December 2028  
   Article 3 Advance Rulings  31 December 2025  
   Article 4.4 Procedures for Appeal or Review  31 December 2024  
   Article 6.1 General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or 
in Connection with Importation and Exportation  31 December 2028  
   Article 6.2 Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for Customs 
Processing Imposed on or in Connection with Importation 
and Exportati on 31 December 2026  
   Article 6.3.4 Penalty Disciplines  31 December 2028  
   Article 6.3.7  
   Article 7.4  Risk Management  31 December 2024  
   Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  31 December 2027  
   Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators  31 December 2024  
   Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation Requirements  31 December 2023  
   Article 10.4  Single Window  31 December 2025  
Provision  Heading/Description  Category previously 
notified as  Category shifted to  
   Article 11.11  Freedom of Transit  C B 
   Article 11.12  C B 
   Article 11.13  C B 
   Article 11.14  C B 
   Article 11.17  C B 
   Article 12.1  Measures Promoting 
Compliance and Cooperation  C B 
   Article 12.2  Exchange o f Information  C B G/TFA/N/BRB/1/Add.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
   
    Article 12.3  Verification  C B 
   Article 12.4  Request  C B 
   Article 12.6  Provision of Information  C B 
   Article 12.7  Postponement or Refusal of a 
Request  C B 
   Article 12.8  Reciprocity  C B 
   Article 12.1 1 Unauthorized Use or 
Disclosure  C B  
  G/TFA/N/BRB/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 1  Publication and Availability of Information  
Article 1.1  Publication  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2028  − An assessment of the best method for 
publishing information accessible free of 
charge to all interested parties, taking 
account of regional initiatives and 
responsibilities . 
− An electronic platform accessible to all 
departments that provides information on 
import/export and transit activities 
accessible and user friendly to all 
stakeholders in the form of a Trade 
Information Portal . 
− Assistance in identifying t he platform, 
building it, providing training for future 
development and establishing a local 
capacity to maintain it in all relevant 
agencies.  
− Review the legal framework for provision of 
information free of charge for all agencies 
engaged import/export/tra nsit process.  
− Provide advice and assistance to identify 
the information requirements of all private 
sector stakeholders so that it can be freely 
and effectively delivered.  
− Review the coordination and delivery of 
information at departmental, national and 
regional levels to establish an effective 
structure.  
− Ensure that all activities are coordinated 
with the Ministry of Innovation, Science 
and Smart Technology (MIST) . Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2028  
Article 1.3 .1-
1.3.3 Enquiry Points A - - 
Article 1.3.4  B 31 December 2019  31 December 2021  
Article 1.4  Notification  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2028  
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 2019  31 December 2020  - 
Article 2.2  Consultations  B 31 December 2019  31 December 2020  -  
  G/TFA/N/BRB/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)  
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  − Review of the laws and processes in 
collaboration with key stakeholders taking 
into account  regional as well as national 
obligations with a view to establish 
standard operating procedures. Training to 
ensure that all stakeholders are informed of 
the processes and can be confident in 
utilising the facility.  
− Specifically, in relation to standards, review 
the capacity of the conformity assessment 
mechanisms including laboratory testing to 
provide the relevant information, taking 
account of regional commitments and 
initiatives.  
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
   Article 4.1 -4.3  A - - - 
   Article 4.4  C 31 December 2019  31 December 2024  − To review the laws and process to eliminate 
delays including the review of the 
practicality of establishing an appeals 
tribunal system.  
− Assistance to Customs to further develop 
the capacity and mechanisms to decide in 
a more timely manner . 
− Develop process for informing the business 
community of the opportunities and 
methodology for appeal.  
− Provide training to those who are going to 
sit on the Appeals Panels.  
   Article 4.5 -4.6 A - - - 
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  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
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 2023  31 December 2028  − Review all fees and charges across all 
agencies in the import/export/transit 
process including charges for overtime.  
Identifying reasons and continued 
necessity for those char ges.  
  G/TFA/N/BRB/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)  
− Ensure that all charges are compliant with 
regional and other international 
obligations.  
− Identify the best methodologies for open 
provision of information on all fees and 
charges to all interested parties.  
− Establish in all agencies a system and 
operat ing procedures for the regular review 
of the continued necessity and relevance of 
charges.  
− Establish a clear methodology for the 
stakeholders to comment on proposed 
changes to fees and charges before they 
come into force.  
− Providing training and developing 
competencies to all agencies in using 
methodologies to quantify costs in order to 
justify fees and charges.  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation   C 31 December 2023  31 December 2026  − To review the current practice of applying a 
processing fee to documentation and 
assess its continued appropriateness 
particularly in relation to electronic 
processing and if it is concluded that the fee 
remains justifiable identify a methodology 
for calculating the level of the fee in 
keeping with the article taking account of 
regional commitments.  
− Review against international practice the 
processes and fees for clearance of goods 
outside of official hours and de velop 
standard operating procedures to ensure 
their compliance with Article 6.  
Article 6.3 .1-
6.3.3 Penalty Disciplines  A - - − Review the processes in place across all 
agencies to ensure current practices are in 
full compliance with article 6.3.4 and 
ensure that standard operating procedures 
are developed and put in place for regular 
review to ensure compliance with 
international best practice.  Article 6.3.4  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2028  
Article 6.3.5 -
6.3.6 A - - 
Article 6.3.7  C 31 December 2023  31 December 2028  
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/BRB/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 7.2  Electronic Payment  B 31 December 2019  31 December 2021  - 
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  A - - - 
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2019  31 December 2024  − The current risk management processes by 
all agencies should be critically reviewed 
with a view to ensuring they are legally 
based, relevant, effective and proportional 
to the risks. This will include examination 
of inter -agency cooperation and 
coordination over risk including access to 
relevant IT systems, national, regional and 
international.  
− Training to be undertaken with all agencies 
in the identification of risks.  
− The development of an analysis capability 
that produces profiles to ensure the 
proportional application of controls in all 
agencies.  
− Ensure agencies are better equipped to 
provide information to the stakeho lders on 
the risk management process to enhance 
their understanding of its ability to support 
their business.  
− Identify the need for and ensure the 
adequate provision and maintenance of IT 
facilities, databases and other technology 
including scanners across  all agencies 
necessary for the timely application of risk 
management.  
− Develop appropriate training processes for 
organisations associated with the 
import/export process including the docks 
and airport in identifying risks with a focus 
on sanitary and phyt osanitary, contraband 
and national security issues.  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  − Training of trainers who will ensure that the 
customs service is aware of post clearance 
audit and the part they should play in it.  
− Provide training and information to the 
business community to ensure they fully  
  G/TFA/N/BRB/1/Add.1  
 
- 7 - 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)  
understand and comply with the processes 
of post -clearance audit and their 
obligations to it. Incorporating within this 
information for the business community on 
record keeping  and related activities.  
− Reviewing the structure and process to 
ensure that maximum advantage of the 
post clearance audit system is incorporated 
in risk management system.  
− Specialize accountancy training for 
customs auditors.  
− Review the potential for post clearance 
audit activities in other border agencies to 
ensure that any opportunity for reducing 
control at the border is implemented.  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  B 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  - 
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 31 December 2019  31 December 2024  − Review the pilot project to ensure that it is 
representative of all areas of business 
activity and will provide an effective basis 
for the development of an AO program me. 
− Based on the results of the pilot and 
discussion with the business community of 
their experience of the process, adapt the 
AO development appropriate to the 
Barbadian business condition.  
− Provides support to the customs training 
programme for the develo pment of an AO.  
− Develop and implement an awareness 
programme for business community to 
ensure effective take up of the AO process.  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  B 31 December 2019  31 December 2020  - 
Article 7.9  Perishable G oods A - - - 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 B 31 December 2020  31 December 2020  - 
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 2020  31 December 2023  − All agencies are supported in undertaking a 
review of their current documentation 
requirements to identify areas for  
  G/TFA/N/BRB/1/Add.1  
 
- 8 - 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)  
simplification of the process including the 
removal of no lo nger essential documents.  
− Technical assistance for customs in relation 
to the clearance times. A holistic approach 
to review the customs documentation and 
ensure full compliance with the regional 
initiatives to harmonise customs 
legislation.  
− All border age ncies review documentary 
requirements to ensure maximum 
harmonisation and simplicity.  
− Identify in all agencies opportunities for 
development and acceptance of e -
documentation taking fully into account the 
opportunities for SPS e -certification.  
− Create a mec hanism for maximising the 
awareness of the business community of 
the opportunities to use e -documentation.  
− Assist in maximising effective engagement 
with CARICOM in the development of 
electronically certified documents . 
Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies B 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  - 
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  A - - - 
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  − A reassessment of the current situation in 
Barbados in relation to the single window 
development, to identify the challenges 
and solutions, to ensure that a single 
window accessible to all agencies and the 
business community is developed at the 
earliest opportunity, taking fully into 
account regional initiatives.  
− To identify the needs of a ll agencies in 
ensuring that they have technology and 
equipment capable of interfacing effectively 
to be compatible with a single window.  
− Training for the border agencies and the 
business community in the operation of the 
single window.  
− Review the laws rel ating to the 
implementation and use of a single window 
together with data protection issues.   
  G/TFA/N/BRB/1/Add.1  
 
- 9 - 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 .1 Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
Article 10.6.2 -
10.6.3  B 31 December 2019  31 December 2020  - 
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  A - - - 
Article 10.8  Rejected G oods A - - - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
   Article 11.1 -
11.10   A - - - 
   Article 11.11 -
11.14  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 11.15 -
11.16  A - - - 
   Article 11.17  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
Article 12  Customs C ooperation  
   Article 12.1  Measures Promoting Compliance and 
Cooperation  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.2  Exchange o f Information  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.3  Verification  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.4  Request  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.5  Protection and Confidentiality  A - - - 
   Article 12.6  Provision of Information  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.7  Postponement or Refusal of a Request  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.8  Reciprocity  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.9  Administrative Burden  A - - - 
   Article 12.10  Limitations  A - - - 
   Article 12.11  Unauthorized Use or Disclosure  B 31 December 2020  31 December 2022  - 
   Article 12.12  Bilateral and Regional Agreements  A - - - 
 
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