G/TFA/N/RWA/1/Add.4  
 
22 August 2022  
(22-6351) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM RWANDA  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated 22 August 2022 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Rwanda for Members' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 14 July 2021  (G/TFA/N/RWA/1/Add. 3), Rwanda hereby 
makes the following notification s as set out in Articles 19 and 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(WT/L/931)  respective ly. 
 
(1) Shifting of categories  
(2) Definitive dates of category C commitments  
 
1. Rwanda notifies that the following provision has been shifted form category C to category B and 
was fully implemented on 31 March 2021.  
Provision  Heading/Description  Category previously 
notified as  Category 
shifted to  Definitive 
implementation date  
Article 3  Advance Rulings  C B 31 March 2021  
 
2. At the same time, Rwanda notifies the definitive dates of its category C commitments:  
Provision  Heading/description  Definitive date for 
implementation  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  31 August 2026  
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  31 August 2026  
Article 7.4.3  Risk Management  31 August 20 30 
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average Release Times  31 August 2026  
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  31 August 2030  
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  31 August 2030  
 
For ease of reference, Rwanda's full list of category commitments is summarized in the table 
attached hereto.  
   
  G/TFA/N/RWA/1/Add.4  
 
- 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 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2026  - Develop a Legal Framework for 
establishment of a One Stop Centre Enquiry 
Point 
- Develop an Operations Manual for the One 
Stop Centre Enquiry Point  
- Harmonize procedures from different 
enquiry points for running the One Stop 
Centre Enquiry Point  
- Establishment and Operationalization of a 
One Stop Centre Enquiry Point  
- Awareness (sensitiza tion workshops, media 
talks, etc)  
- Training of National Enquiry Points & NTFC 
subcommittees  
Article 1.4  Notification  A - - - 
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 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 2.2  Consultations  A - - - 
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 B 31 March 2021 31 March 2021   
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  B 26 March 2021  26 March 2021   
Article 5.2  Detention  A - - - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2026  - Design Formal Operational Guidelines and 
Legal Framework for 
conducting/undertaking the Second Test  
- Build Staff Capacity with Appropriate Skills 
(public and private sectors) on use of 
second tests  
- Develop and interlink Laboratory 
Information Management Systems to all 
laboratories identified for testing  
- Conduct a Gap s Assessment of the capacity 
of existing private laboratories for their  
  G/TFA/N/RWA/1/Add.4  
 
- 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)  
accreditation to enable them to provide the 
2nd test required under the TFA  
- Support in peer assessment and regional 
proficiency testing for 3 years  
- Support to the proficiency testing ( PT) 
schemes at regional level  
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 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
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  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  A - - - 
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  A - - - 
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  A - - - 
Article 7.4.1  Risk Management  A - - - 
Article 7.4.2  A - - - 
Article 7.4.3  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2030  - Risk Management System interface for 
agencies involved in export, import and 
transit (integrated risk management -
through the eSW)  
- Build capacity for Staff of concerned 
Government institutions  and Risk 
Management Committee  
- Procure laboratory equipment for various 
tests and other inspection tools  
- Establish and Operationalise the Risk 
Management Committee  
- Awareness of traders on Risk Management  
Article 7.4.4  A - - - 
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  A - - - 
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2026  - Rwanda requires financial , technical 
assistance and capacity building support to 
carry out Time Release Studies.   
  G/TFA/N/RWA/1/Add.4  
 
- 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 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  A - - - 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 31 August 2024  31 August 2030  - Enhance coordinated border management 
by harmonizing procedures and formalities 
(extension of border working hours, 
harmonization of working hours, joint 
inspections, etc)  
- Improve Operationalization of Joint Border 
Committees  
- Continue with work on One Stop Border 
Posts and required equipment such as e -
gates, IT facilities, etc  
- Conduct Training, Sensitization, and 
Workshops of Stakeholders  
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  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  A - - - 
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 10.4  Single Window  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  C 31 August 2024  31 August 2030  - Review and publish the licensing 
requirements  
- Consider a careful interpretation of article 
145 of EAC CMA 2004 and amend it to cater 
for TF provision and requirement  
- To review the legal base to allow importers 
to clear goods without the use of clearing 
agents  
- Capacity building f or importers & exporters  
- Establish a review team led by the RRA, but 
encompassing representatives from the 
Broker community and interested members 
of the import/export community to 
commence the process   
  G/TFA/N/RWA/1/Add.4  
 
- 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 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  A - - - 
Article 10.8  Rejected Goods  A - - - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 A - - - 
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  
 B 31 March 2020  31 March 2021  - 
 
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