G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2  
12 August  2020 
(20-5519) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM NICARAGUA  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated  3 August 2 020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Nicaragua for Members' information.  
 
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Following up from the notification dated 30 July 2 018 (G/TFA/N/NIC/1 /Add.1 ), Nicaragua hereby 
notifies the extension to its  definitive implementation dates for the following  provisions , in 
accordance with  Article 17 of the Agreement  on Trade Facilitation . 
 
Provision  Heading/  
Description  Previously notified 
definitive date for 
implementation  New definitive 
date for 
implementation 
requested  Reasons for 
extension  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points 22 December 2 021 22 June 2 023 - In order to ensure 
compliance with the 
measure, assistance 
and additional 
capacity building are 
required to establish 
both a help desk 
(software) enabling 
users and officials to 
interact in real time 
and a glossary of 
frequently asked 
questions, with a view 
to improving the 
information and 
communication 
service offered by the 
Institute for 
Agricultural and 
Livestock Protection 
and Health (IPSA).  
- In order to bring 
procedures closer to 
the user, an additional 
requirement has been 
identified for 
assistance and 
support for capacity 
building through the 
establishment of 
technological kiosks 
with the necessary 
equipment  in Puerto 
Corinto and at the 
border posts of El 
Guasaule, El Espino, 
Las Manos, San 
Pancho and P eña 
Blanca, with a view to G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2  
- 2 - 
  providing land freight  
carriers with 
information and 
access to the 
procedure 
management services 
offered by the 
Directorate -General of 
Migration and Foreign 
Nationals (DGME).  
- In addition to the 
notified technical 
assistance, capa city 
building is required for 
technical staff at the 
National Commission 
for the Registration 
and Control of Toxic 
Substances (CNRCST) 
in order to ensure  
sustainable 
implementation of the 
proposed measures . 
Technical assistance is 
also needed to 
establish a computer 
system to manage 
formalities and 
services for CNRCST 
users . 
Article 5.3  Test Procedure s 22 December 2 022 22 June 2 024 - In addition  to the 
notified assistance, 
the IPSA requires 
assistance and 
capacity building  to 
improve diagnostic 
techniques through 
the validation and 
accreditation of test 
methods, as well as to 
implement a quality 
management system 
at the National 
Laboratory for 
Phytosanitary 
Diagnostics and Seed 
Quality and 
standardize the 
methodologies of 
regional laboratories, 
as a prerequisite for 
accreditation in 
central laboratories 
under ISO/ IEC 
17025 :2017.  
Article 10.4  Single Window  22 December 2 020 22 June 2 022 In addition to the 
notified technical 
assistance, the Export 
Processing Centre 
(CETREX) requires 
assistance and 
capacity building to 
implement the foreign 
trade e -signature, so 
that government 
bodies involved in 
procedures relating to 
the import and export 
of goods may 
generate 
electronically signed 
documents . 
 
For ease of reference, a full list summarizing Nicaragua's commitment categories is attached.  
   
  G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2  
- 3 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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 Publica tion B 22 February 2 019 22 December 2 019 - 
Article 1.2 Information Available through Internet  A - - - 
Article 1.3 Enquiry Points  C 22 February 2 020 22 June 2 023 • Administration of the IPSA 
website and support for 
updating the content of this 
website . Website administrator : 
US$1,000/month × 2 years.  
• Creation of the IPSA outreach 
office . IPSA outreach office 
official : US$1,000/month ×  3 
years.  
• Technical assistance from 
computer and programming 
specialists to develop and 
improve website automation for 
the National Commission for the 
Control and Regulation of Toxic 
Substances, so as to meet the 
Commission's new 
requirements ; and financial 
assistance to acquire computer 
equipment, softw are and 
licences . Approximate cost : 
US$55,000.  
• Technical and financial 
assistance for the creation and 
implementation of a TFA -
consistent national information 
system for the Ministry of 
Health (MINSA).  
• Financial assistance for setting 
up an information sys tem that 
provides immediate and 
relevant information on 
formality status and migration.  
Article 1.4 Notification  A - - -   
  G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2  
- 4 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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 2 Opportunity to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations  
Article 2.1 Opportunity to Comment, Information before 
Entry into Force  A - - - 
Article 2.2 Consultations  A - - - 
Article  3  Advance Rulings  
 A - - - 
Article  4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 A - - - 
Article  5 Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article  5.1 Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  C 22 February 2 020 22 December 2 020 • Advice on completing 
notification procedures.  
• A section is needed on the IPSA 
website where the country's 
sanitary and phytosanitary 
status can be published, 
together with IPPC, OIE and 
WTO information.  
Article  5.2 Detention  A - - - 
Article  5.3 Test Procedures  C 22 February 2 022 22 June 2 024 • Capacity building to improve 
phytosanitary diagnostic 
laboratories in the departments 
of Managua, Estelí, León, and 
Rivas, and the national 
chemical and biological 
residues laboratory, through 
the acquisition of equipment, 
materials and reagents, the 
enhanced implementation of 
diagnostic methods, staff 
training, and the strength ening 
of regional laboratory 
infrastructure, with a view to 
better serving exporters and 
importers of products and by -
products of plant origin.    
  G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2  
- 5 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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)  
Details of financial 
assistance:  
Reagents, consumables and 
equipment for central and 
regional laboratories : 
US$700,000.  
 
Strengthening of the diagnostic 
and technical capacity of 
personnel (diploma -based 
training, workshops, 
specialized courses, post -
graduate courses, internships, 
etc.): US$100,000.  
 
Remodelling and refitting of 3 
regional phytosanitary 
diagnostic l aboratories in the 
departments of Estelí, León and 
Rivas : US$300,000.  
 
TOTAL : US$1,100,000  
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  B 22 February 2 019 22 December 2 022 - 
Article  6.3 Penalty Disciplines  A - - - 
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 Risk Management  A - - - 
Article  7.5 Post-Clearance Audit  A - - - 
Article  7.6 Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  B 22 February 2 019 22 December 2 020 -   
  G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2  
- 6 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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 22 February 2 019 22 December 2 020 - 
Article  7.8 Expedited Shipments  A - - - 
Article  7.9 Perishable Goods  A - - - 
Article  8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 B 22 February 2 020 22 December 2 020 - 
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  A - - - 
Article  10.2 Acceptance of Copies  B 22 February 2 020 22 December 2 020 - 
Article  10.3 Use of International Standards  A - - - 
Article 10.4 Single Window  C 22 February 2 020 22 June 2 022 Financial support for acquiring 
equipment and licences and 
contracting specialized 
computer design and 
development services, with a 
view to the continued 
improvement of the VUCEN 
system.  
• Technical assistance to 
improve the system.  
Article  10.5 Preshipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article  10.6 Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
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  A - - - 
Article  11 Freedom of Transit  
 A - - - 
Article  12 Customs Cooperation  
 A - - - 
 
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