G/TFA/N/ECU/1  
 
14 February 2019  
(19-0883) Page: 1/10 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: Spanish  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM  ECUADOR  
The f ollowing communication, dated 29  January 2019 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Ecuador for Members' information . 
 
_______________  
 
 
Following  up on the notification dated 7  August 2014 (WT/PCTF/N/ECU /1), in which it indicated its 
category A commitments, the Republic of Ecuador  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/ECU/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 Required 
for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 1  Publication and Availability of Information  
Article  1.1 Publication  B 15 January  2021 15 January  2021 - 
Article  1.2 Information Available through Internet  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
Article  1.3 Enquiry Points  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
Article  1.4 Notification  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
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 Consulta tions C 15 January  2022 To be determined  Cooperation to establish an 
online consultation system 
allowing for interaction 
between government bodies 
and users. This system  should 
collect  and record comments 
made by natural and legal 
persons regarding regulations, 
legislation and other 
provisions is sued by the 
various bodies.  
Article  3 Advance Rulings  
 B1 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
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  B 15 January  2021 15 January  2021 - 
Article  5.2 Detention  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
Article  5.3 Test Procedures  C 15 January  2024 To be determined  Cooperation to strengthen 
diagnostic laboratories in the 
areas of  plant health, animal 
health and food safety . This 
contribution will focus on 
establishing adequate 
infrastructure  in terms of  
appropriate control points  for 
inspection and quarantine, 
laboratory equipment, and  
reagents, etc.  
                                                
1 With regard  to the origin of goods, advance  rulings refer to documentary verification of compliance with rules of origin .   
  G/TFA/N/ECU/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)  
     Staff training is required on 
new analytical methodologies. 
Cooperation is also required to 
help organize workshops on 
the following subjects : 
• Establishing methods to 
ensure the quality of 
activities carried out in 
customs laboratories . 
• Optimizing the  process for 
meeting  the necessary 
requirements  for compliance 
with ISO standards . 
• Evaluation, verification and 
control of laboratory 
conditions  and the methods 
used. 
To this end , it is suggested 
that trainers have 
experience of the following : 
• Preparation of a laboratory 
management model ; 
instructions and procedures ; 
equipment maintenance and 
calibration plan s; and 
analytical instruments . 
• Implementation of quality 
systems in customs 
laboratories . 
     • Implementation and use of  
methodologies . 
• Physico -chemical  analysis of 
samples of goods for tariff 
classification purposes . 
Safety measures to protect 
facilities, equipment and 
instruments assigned to the 
division.  
Article  6 Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation an d Exportation and Penalties  
Article  6.1 General Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on 
or in Connection with Importation and Exportation  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 -   
  G/TFA/N/ECU/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  6.2 Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for Customs 
Processing Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
Article  6.3 Penalty Disciplines  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
Article  7 Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article  7.1 Pre-arrival Processing  A - - - 
Article  7.2 Electronic Payment  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
Article  7.3 Separation of Release from Final Determination of 
Customs Duties, Taxes, Fees and Charges  B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
Article  7.4 Risk Management  C 15 January  2022 To be determined  Cooperation for training and 
technical assistance with a 
view to  implement ing systems 
for the exchange of 
information betw een countries 
on levels of risk.  Better 
practices and new procedures 
are needed to deal  with high - 
and low -risk goods.  
     A risk management 
assessment  is required , which 
takes into account all the 
parameters of the bodies 
involved in trade in goods . 
Cooperation is also requested 
to ensure the exchange of 
information (creation of 
statistical models, forecasts 
and better risk management 
practices) between other 
customs offices and control 
bodies.  
Article  7.5 Post-clearance Audit  C 15 January  2022 To be  determined  Cooperation for training and 
technical assistance with a 
view to creating  statistical 
models and improving  
methodology for the 
assignment of  post-control  
audits, non-participatory 
reviews and implementation.  
Article  7.6 Establishment and Publication of Average Release 
Times  A - - -   
  G/TFA/N/ECU/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)  
Article  7.7 Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized Operators  C 15 January  2022 To be determined  1. Technical assistance to 
establish  a road map 
before  introducing  new 
links into the programme . 
2. Technical assistance to 
devise  strategies to 
establish mutual 
recognition agreements 
between SENAE and other 
customs administrations 
with regard to 
AEO programmes .  
3. Technical assistance and 
funding to develop the 
connectivity of the 
SENAE  customs computer 
system and the systems of 
other customs 
administrations for the 
purposes of information 
exchange, risk 
management and the 
mutual recognition of 
AEO programmes .  
4. Funding to systematize the 
process for applying for, 
renewing and revalidating 
AEO status . 
5. Funding to participate in 
the validation or 
re-validation ( in situ ) of 
applicant companies  in 
other countries, with a 
view to incorporating new 
international practices into 
the Ecuador 
AEO programme.  
   
  G/TFA/N/ECU/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)  
     6. Funding for internships 
relating to the 
implementation of the AEO 
programme, and training 
on issues linked to 
international logistics chain 
security .  
7. Funding to allow for 
participation in 
conferences, seminars 
and/or national and 
international fairs relat ing 
to the AEO programme.  
Article  7.8 Expedited Shipments  B 15 January  2022 15 January  2022 - 
Article  7.9 Perishable Goods  B 15 January  2024 15 January  2024 - 
Article  8 Border Agency Cooperation  
  C 15 January  2024 To be determined  Cooperation for the creation of 
a single digital platform that 
provides border agencies with 
access to information on trade 
operation requirements and 
audits. Equipment is needed  
for buildings  housing 
Bi-National Border Service 
Centres  (CEBAF) on trunk 
road No. 3 from Macará to 
La Tina (Ecuador – Peru). 
These centres are expected to 
provide around 120 jobs for 
the two countries and will 
facilitate trade. Cooperation 
for the hiring of professional 
chemists to work 24 hours a 
day, seven days a week in 
substan ce-control activities at 
the border crossings of 
Rumichaca, San  Miguel, 
Huaquillas and Macará, and at 
ports and airports (Guayaquil 
and Quito).    
  G/TFA/N/ECU/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)  
     Standards are required for 
these substances for 
quantitative and qualitative 
analysis purposes (approved 
preliminary identification tests 
– PIPH). Technology and 
infrastructure are also 
required for diagnosis with a 
view to quarantine 
treatments; incinerat or 
facilities are required, as well 
as quarantine areas and 
border point transport 
facilities.  
Cooperation to provide 
laboratories with Raman 
technology, infrared, and 
mass gas chromatography 
equipment, digital 
potentiometers , 
refractometers  and 
dosimeters, etc. Ongoing 
training is also needed for 
border control staff, with an 
emphasis on the sharing of 
experiences with other 
countries in the region; issues 
covered should include 
container control, new 
psychoactive substances, 
synthetic drugs , new 
camouflage techniques, and 
new chemical analysis 
techniques, amongst others. 
In order to ensure and protect 
the integrity of the country, 
electronic security systems are 
required, such as perimeter 
fences, cameras, sensors,    
  G/TFA/N/ECU/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)  
     scanners for persons and 
vehicles, etc. In addition, 
personal protective equipment 
is required for the handling of 
controlled drugs.  
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 15 January  2022 15 January  2022 - 
Article  10.2 Acceptance of Copies  B 15 January  2022 15 January  2022 - 
Article  10.3 Use of International Standards  A - - - 
Article  10.4 Single Window  C 15 January  2023 To be determined  Cooperation for an electronic 
automated  registration system 
that covers all entities 
responsible for issuing 
resolutions, permits, 
certificates, automatic and 
non-automatic licences, and 
accompa nying documents 
(preshipment) and supporting 
documents that are required 
for importing and exporting. 
Cooperation for streamlining 
the incorporation into the 
Single Window of new control 
measures involving certificates 
and other documents that are 
required  for the shipment of 
imports and exports . 
Acquisition of technological 
components and restructuring 
of the internal systems of 
entities issuing control 
documents that  are not linked 
to Ecuador's single window.  
Article  10.5 Pre-shipment 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 - - -   
  G/TFA/N/ECU/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  10.9 Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward and 
Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article  11 Freedom of Transit  
   Article 11.1 -
11.6  A - - - 
   Article 11.7 -
11.15   C 15 January  2021 To be determined  Cooperation to ensure that all 
customs institutions in 
neighbouring countries are 
able to implement the  
     International Goods Transit 
(TIM) system , which entails 
the sharing of advance, timely 
and quality information 
between customs institutions. 
In the case of Ecuador, which 
is a member of the Andean 
Community (CAN), 
cooperation needs to extend 
towards other CAN countries, 
so as to ensure the proper 
implementation of the TIM and 
support for its maintenance . 
Resources are needed to 
implement the system, with a 
view to integrating controls for 
goods in transit at borders in 
order to ensure the 
traceability of goods at 
community lev el. 
A computer -based alert 
system (s oftware)  needs to be 
set up to record complaints, 
customs violations or related 
offences concerning foreign 
trade operators using the TIM; 
such a system would make it 
possible to foresee possible 
customs violations and t ake 
appropriate binational action 
in response .   
  G/TFA/N/ECU/1  
 
- 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)  
     Virtual kiosks are requested to 
ensure that checks on 
individuals are carried out 
swiftly and appropriately. The 
use of RFID technology is 
requested i n respect of tourist 
vehicles, containers and  
loading platforms , so as to 
ensure  enhanced traceability 
(https://vimeo.com/12377026
4). Cooperation for the setting 
up of mirrored rooms at 
border facilities that allow for 
the on -line control of customs 
operati ons; cooperation to 
ensure that control officials 
are properly equipped.  
  Article 11.16 - 
11.17   A - - - 
Article  12 Customs Cooperation  
 B 15 January  2020 15 January  2020 - 
 
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