G/TFA/N/LKA/1  
 
8 February  2018 
(18-0860) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM SRI LANKA  
The following communica tion, dated 7 February  2018, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Sri Lanka for Members' informa tion. 
 
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Following up on the notification dated 31 July 2014 (WT/PCTF/N/ LKA/1), in which the Government 
of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lank a indicated its category A commitments, Sri Lanka 
hereby makes the following additional notifications in accordance with Articles 15 and 16 of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
  
  G/TFA/N/LKA/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  C 30 June 2018  To be determined   Expert support to develop an information 
management system.  
 Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
   Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 30 June 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing 
ordinances/acts/regulations.  
 ICT Infrastructure for internal 
information management systems, 
maintaining and upgrading agency 
website.  
 Infrastructure (software) for Trade 
Information Portal.  
   Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 30 June 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 ICT infrastructure and technology for 
maintaining enquiry points.  
 Staff capacity building on operating and 
maintaining enquiry points.  
   Article 1.4  Notification  C 30 June 2018  To be determined   For Creation of an electronic single 
information management platform  
encompassing Official locations where in 
which the information has been 
published, Uniform resource locators of 
website of the TIP, enquiry points 
responsible for servicing enquires, 
enabling expeditious & accurate flow of 
notifications . 
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations  
   Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and 
Information Before Entry into Force  C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Staff capacity building on developing 
procedures; managing notification and 
public comment on proposed laws and 
regulations.  
   Article 2.2  Consultations  C  31 December 2020  To be determined   Expert support on developing public 
consultation strategy.   
  G/TFA/N/LKA/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 capacity building on developing 
consultation strategy/policy, procedures; 
carrying out consultations.  
Article 3       Advance Rulings  
 C 31 December 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Equipment/technology for upgrading the 
laboratory.  
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 31 December 2020  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Expert support on the design and 
establishment of a notificati on system for 
enhanced controls or inspections.  
 Staff capacity building on implementing 
a notification system for enhanced 
controls or inspections.  
 ICT Infrastructure for establishing an 
automated notification system.  
   Article 5.2  Detention  A - - - 
   Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Testing kits and other relevant 
laboratory equipment/materials.  
 Support to develop testing parameters 
and accreditation for veterinary 
laboratories.  
 ICT infrastructure and technology 
(networking, automation, high -speed 
internet).  
Article 6  Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation and Penaltie s 
   Article 6.1  General Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Expert support on reviewing the current 
fee structure.  
 Staff capacity building on periodic review 
of fees and charges.   
  G/TFA/N/LKA/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  C 31 December 2018  To be determined   Expert support on reviewing the current 
fee structure.  
   Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  A - - - 
Article 7       Release and Clearance of Goods  
   Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  B 31 December 2017  31 December 2019  - 
   Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  A - - - 
   Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  C 31  December 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
   Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Expert support on the design and 
establishment of a risk management 
system.  
 ICT Infrastructure and technology for an 
automated risk management system.  
 Staff capacity building on implementing 
the risk management system.  
   Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
   Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 30 June 2018  To be determined   Staff capacity building on designing, 
planning and implementing TRS.  
   Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for 
Authorized Operators  C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Staff capacity building on design, 
implementation and review of authorized 
trader scheme.  
   Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  A - - - 
   Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Expert support on developing a 
coordination mechanism for relevant 
border agencies on prioritized 
examination of perishable goods.  
 Advance testing facilities and technology.  
 Staff capacity building on the use of 
advanced testing facilities and 
techniques.   
  G/TFA/N/LKA/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 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Expert support on developing a 
strategy/framework for border agency 
cooperation.  
 Capacity building support for staff on 
border agency cooperation.  
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  C 31 December 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Expert support on developing a system 
for periodic review of formalities and 
documentation requirements.  
 Capacity building support fo r responsible 
staff on conducting periodic reviews.  
   Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  C 31 December 2018  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Expert support on developing a system 
for periodic review of formalities and 
documentation requirements.  
 ICT infrastructure & technology (to be 
covered through NSW).  
 Capacity building support to staff on the 
benefits of electronic documentation and 
processes.  
   Article 10.3  Use of Internatio nal Standards  C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Capacity building support to staff on the 
relevant international standards, testing 
procedures and international best 
practices.   
  G/TFA/N/LKA/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)  
   Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2022  To be determined   Legal expert support on drafting legal 
amendments to existing ordinances/ 
acts/regulations.  
 Expert support on developing a blueprint 
for the NSW.  
 ICT Infrastructure for automation at each 
agency.  
 ICT infrastructure for the NSW.  
 Staff capacity building on implementing 
the NSW.  
   Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  B 31 December 2017  31 December 2019  - 
   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  
 C 31 December 2020  To be determined   Expert support on developing a voluntary 
compliance regime.  
 
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