G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
 
 
9 March 2020  
(20-1831) Page: 1/10 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM BANGLADESH  
Addendum  
The following communica tion, of which the first draft was received 19 February  2020, is being 
circulated at th e request of the delegation of  Bangladesh  for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up from the notification dated 15 January  2020 (G/TFA/N/BGD/1 /Add. 2), Bangladesh 
hereby  makes the following notifications : 
 
(1) Shifting of categories; (2) and definitive date for implementation of category B commitments.  
 
Bangladesh hereby notifies that the following provision is being shifted between categories in 
response to Article 19 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
 
Bangladesh hereby makes the following notification of its definitive date for implementation of its 
category B provisions  in response to Article 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
Provision  Heading/description  Definitive date for 
implementation  
   Article 1.1 .1(c) Publication  31 December 2023  
   Article 1. 1.1(h)  31 December 2023  
   Article 1.2.1(c) Information Available through Internet  31 December 2023  
   Article 1.4(a) -
1.4(b)  Notification  31 December 2023  
Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and Information Before Entry into 
Force  30 June 2022  
Article 2.2  Consultations  30 June 2022  
   Article 4.6 Procedures for Appeal or Review  31 December 2023  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or Inspections  31 December 2023  
Article 6.1  General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and Exportation  30 June 2021  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for Customs 
Processing Imposed on or in Connection with Importation 
and Exportation  31 December 2023  
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  30 June 2022  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  30 June 2022  
   Article 1 0.2.2-
10.2.3  Acceptance of Copies  30 June 2022  
   Article 10.5.2  Pre-shipment Inspection  31 December 2023  Provision  Heading/Description  Category 
previously 
notified as  Category 
shifted to  
   Article 1.4(c)  Notification  B C G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Provision  Heading/description  Definitive date for 
implementation  
   Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward and Outward 
Processing  30 June 2022  
   Article 11.15  Freedom of Transit  30 June 2021  
   Article 11.17  30 June 2023  
   Article 12  Customs Cooperation  31 December 2023  
 
For ease of reference, Bangladesh 's full list of category commitments can be found in the table 
attached herewith.  
  
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 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 .1(a)-
1.1.1(b)  Publication  A - - - 
   Article 1.1.1(c)   B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
   Article 1.1.1(d) -
1.1.1(g)   A - - - 
   Article 1.1.1(h)   B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
   Article 1.1.1(i) -
1.1.1 -(j)  A - - - 
Article 1.2 .1(a)-
1.2.1(b)  Information Available through Internet  A - - - 
Article 1.2.1(c)   B 20 February 2022  31 December 2023   
Article 1.2.2 -
1.2.3  A - - - 
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C To be determined  To be determined  The National Enquiry Point for Customs 
is already established.  
The National Enquiry Point for Trade is 
being established with technical 
assistance from the World Bank Group.  
Assistance required (related to the 
National Enquiry P oint for Trade):  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development  
5. Needs Assessment  
Article 1.4 (a)-
1.4(b)  Notification  B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
Article 1.4(c)  C To be determined  To be determined  The National Enquiry Point for Customs 
is already established.  
The National Enquiry Point for Trade is 
being established with technical 
assistance from the World Bank Group.  
Assistance required (related to the 
National Enquiry Point for Trade):  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development   
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 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)  
5. Needs Assessment  
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 20 February 2020  30 June 2022  - 
Article 2.2  Consultations  B 20 February 2020  30 June 2022  - 
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 A - - - 
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
   Article 4.1 -4.5  A - - - 
   Article 4.6   B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
Article 5.2  Detention  A - - - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C To be determined  To be determined  The Department of Plant Quarantine, 
Bangladesh Standards & Testing 
Institute, Bangladesh Atomic Energy 
Commission, Department of livestock, 
Department of Fisheries do not have 
sufficient laboratories for 2nd tests.  It 
has now become a challenge for them. 
Technical assistance is required to 
establish testing laboratories and other 
logistics and also capacity building for 
Test Procedures. Development 
partners' assistance is required in the 
following areas:  
1. Equipment  
2. Calibration  
3. New lab  
4. Training and capacity building  
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 20 February 2020  30 June 2021  - 
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for 
Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and Exportation  B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  B 20 February 2020  30 June 2022  - 
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C To be determined  To be determined  The National Board of Revenue  is 
currently working to implement this 
Measure with technical assistance from 
the USAID.   
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 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)  
Assistance required:  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  B 20 February 2020  30 June 2022  - 
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  A - - - 
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C To be determined  To be determined  The National Board of Revenue is 
currently working to implement this 
measure with technical assistance from 
the USAID and the World Bank Group 
(WBG). Assistance required:  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development  
5. Need Assessment  
 
The Plant Quarantine Wing has 
previously received training from the 
WBG. It requires assistance from 
development partners f or: 
1. Capacity development of 
surveillance mechanism  
2. Establishment of pest Risk Analysis 
(PRA) procedure  
3. Technical support on risk 
assessment and mitigation  
4. Documentary and awareness 
development program in social 
media for moral and ethical 
responsibilities  
5. preparation of some SOPs and 
manuals for risk management 
issues  
 
The Bangladesh Standards and Testing 
Institute (BSTI) is working to 
implement this measure with technical 
assistance from the World Bank Group. 
It requires assistance for:   
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 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)  
1. Stabilization of the risk 
management system following 
international best practices.  
2. Training for the Risk Management 
Committee members.  
3. On-site visit for Risk Management 
Committee that have successfully 
established the system.  
No development partner is cu rrently 
working with Bangladesh Atomic 
Energy Commission in this regard. It 
requires assistance from development 
partners in the area of risk 
management.  
For Developing laborator y facilities, 
accredited process is going on. The 
Plant Quarantine Wing o f DAE needs 
official assistance.  
 
The automation process of import and 
export permit s has  already been 
started . 
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C To be determined  To be determined  The National Board of Revenue  is 
currently working in collaboration with 
the USAID (for transaction -based 
audit) and the Asian Development Bank 
(for system -based audit) to become 
compliant with this Measure.  
Assistance required:  
1. Consultation  with stakeholders 
through workshops, semina rs and 
round table meetings  
2. Training  
3. Capacity development  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 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)  
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C To be determined  To be determined  The National Board of Revenue  is 
currently working in collaboration with 
the USAID and the Asian Development 
Bank to implement the AEO system in 
Bangladesh.  
Assistance required:  
1. Consultation  with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
2. Trainin g 
3. Capacity development  
4. Need Assessment  
5. Support for Legislation  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C To be determined  To be determined  The USAID is providing technical 
assistance to the National Board of 
Revenue  in establishing an expedited 
courier system that complies with 
international best practice.  
Assistance required:  
1. Consultation  with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
2. Training  
3. Capacity development  
4. Infrastructure Support  
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  C To be determined  To be determined  No development partner has so far 
offered any assistance in the area of 
perishable goods.  
Assistance required:  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation  with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development  
5. Infrastructure Support  
Again, Port authorities require both 
technical (feasibility study, drawing, 
design etc.) and financial 
(infrastructure, equipment, 
maintenance etc.) assistanc e. 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C To be determined  To be determined  (A) In-country border -agency 
cooperation:   
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 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)  
The World Bank Group has agreed to 
provide loan assistance in the area of 
coordinated border management.  
The Plant Quarantine Wing requires 
assistance from development partners 
for establishing strong cooperation with 
all border agencies.  
 
(B) Cross -border agency 
cooperation:  
No development partner has so far 
offered any assistance in the area of 
cross-border agency cooperation. 
SASEC  program under ADB coordinates 
activities in different South Asian 
countries.  
Assistance required:  
1. Negotiation and Consultation  
2. Capacity development  
3. Infrastructure  
4. Automation  
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for Import  under Customs Control  
 A - - - 
Article 10  Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1.1(a)  Formalities and Documentation Requirements  C To be determined  To be determined  No development partner has so far 
offered any assistance in the area of 
perishable goods.  
Assistance required:  
1. Training  
2. Capacity development  
Again, Plant Quarantine Wing requires 
assistance for - (a) the preparation of a 
valid organigram of a Plant Quarantine 
Authority in Bangladesh, and (b) the 
establishment of E -Phyto System.  
   Article 
10.1.1(b) -10.1.2  A - - - 
   Article 10.2.1  Acceptance of Copies  A - - - 
   Article 10.2.2 -
10.2.3  B 20 February 2020  30 June 2022  - 
   Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 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 10.4  Single Window  C To be determined  To be determined  The National Board of Revenue  is 
currently implementing the project with 
loan assistance from the World Bank.  
Assistance required:  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultatio n with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development  
5. Coordination mechanism among 
intra and inter agencies is required  
Again, ICT related assistance (both 
hardware and software) will be required 
at the ports.  
Further, technical assistance for data 
standard managem ent will be required 
at BCSIR.  
   Article 10.5.1  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
   Article 10.5.2  B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
   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  B 20 February 2020  30 June 2022  - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
   Article 11.1 -
11.4  A - - - 
   Article 11.5  C To be determined  To be determined  No development partner has so far 
offered any assistance in the area of 
traffic -in-transit (establishing separate 
physical infrastructure for traffic -in-
transit).  
Assistance required:  
1. Consultation  with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
2. Training  
3. Capacity development  
4. Development of Integrated Transit 
Policy   
  G/TFA/N/BGD/1/Add.3  
 
- 10 - 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 11.6 -
11.8 A - - - 
   Article 11.9  C To be determined  To be determined  No development partner has so far 
offered any assistance in the area of 
traffic -in-transit (allowing advance 
filing and processing of transit 
documentation and data prior to arrival 
of goods under traffic -in-transit).  
Assistance required:  
1. Support for legislation  
2. Consultation  with stakeholders 
through workshops, seminars and 
round table meetings  
3. Training  
4. Capacity development.  
5. Development of Integrated Transit 
Policy  
   Article 11.10 -
11.14  A - - - 
   Article 11.15  B 20 February 2020  30 June 2021  - 
   Article 11.16  C To be determined  To be determined  1. No donor ag ency is working on this 
measure, s o support is required  
2. Assistance is required for 
Development of Integrated Transit 
Policy  
   Article 11.17  B 20 February 2020  30 June 2023  - 
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  
 B 20 February 2020  31 December 2023  - 
 
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