G/TFA/N/BWA/1  
 
31 May 2017 
(17-2920) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM BOTSWANA  
The following communica tion, dated 31 May 2017,  is being circulated at th e request of the 
delegation of Botswana for Members' informa tion. 
 
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Following up on the notification dated 26 September 2014 (WT/PCTF/N/BWA/1) , in which the 
Republic of Botswana indicated its category A commitments, Botswana  hereby makes the following 
additional notifications in accordance with Articles 15 and 16 of the Trade Fa cilitation Agreement 
(WT/L/931) .  
  G/TFA/N/BWA/1  
 
- 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 R equired for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 1  Publication and Availability of Information  
   Article 1.1  Publication  B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
   Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
   Article 1.3  Enquiry Points C 31 December 2022  To be determined   Undertaking an Information needs 
analysis and developing a suitable 
strategy to the needs  
 Designating appropriate agencies or 
Departments  
 Establishing standards and procedures 
of quality  control including fixed 
timelines  
 Training of personnel on service 
delivery  
 Investment in the necessary hardware  
   Article 1.4  Notification  B 31 December 2022  To be determined  - 
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations   
   Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and 
Information Before Entry into Force  A - - - 
   Article 2.2  Consultations  A - - - 
Article 3       Advance Rulings  
 B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
Article 4       Procedures for Appeal or R eview  
 B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
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  C 31 December 2025  To be determined   Support on Accreditation of Botswana 
Bureau of Standards testing 
laboratories  
 Review of the Standards Act.  
 Training and Capacity Building of 
BOBS test officers/technicians on 
method validat ion and measu rement 
uncertainty  
 Support on maintenance of  
Accreditation of laboratories  
 Development of the National Quality 
standards, accreditation and 
certification   
  G/TFA/N/BWA/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 R equired for Implementation  
(for category C)  
 Procurement of Testing equipment  
 Development of a new lab including  
infrastructure and equipment for the 
Botswana Unified Revenue Services 
(BURS)  
 Specialised software service for the 
newly  developed lab  
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 December 2019  To be determined  - 
   Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exporta tion  B 31 December 2019  To be determined  - 
   Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
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  A - - - 
   Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for 
Authorized Operators  B 31 December 2021  - - 
   Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  A - - - 
   Article 7.9  Perishable G oods A - - - 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 B 31 December 202 1 - - 
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for I mport  under Customs Control  
 A - - - 
Article 10      Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation a nd Transit  
   Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  B 31 December 2020  To be dete rmined  - 
   Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
   Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/BWA/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 R equired for Implementation  
(for category C)  
   Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2027  To be determined   Conduct Feasibility studies and 
business cases  
 Develop IT platforms for other border 
agencies  
 Training for all Trade Related 
Ministries  
   Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
   Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
   Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Req uirements  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  
 B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
Article 12  Customs C ooperation  
 B 31 December 2020  To be determined  - 
 
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