G/TFA/N/SLE/1/Add.3  
 
19 August 2022  
(22-6296) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM SIERRA LEONE  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated 16 August 2022 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Sierra Leone for Members' information.  
 
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Following up from the notification date d 22 February 2021 (G/TFA/N/SLE/1/Add.2), Sierra Leone 
hereby notifies the definitive dates and the technical assistance requirements for the implementation 
of catego ry C commitments as set out in Articles 15 and 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
(WT/L/931).  
  
  G/TFA/N/SLE/1/Add.3  
 
- 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 31 December 2022  30 November 2024  -  Assistance to carry out an assessment 
and clarify, as required, legislation and/or 
formal policy measures to ensure that all 
border authorities are obligated to 
publish the rules, procedures, and other 
relevant information.  
-  Assistance to carry out an assessment 
information needs, particularly of local 
SMEs, and identify appropriate and 
effective forms of communication for 
dissemination of types of information 
described by the TFA measure in Sierra 
Leone 's environment.  
-  Assistance to define responsibilities and 
establish appropriate administrative and 
operational measures within each of the 
designated border authorities to ensure 
the information specified in the TFA 
measure is prepared, published, and 
promptly updated.  
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 31 December 2022  30 November 2024  -  Assistance to carry out a feasibility study 
for the implementation of a national 
trade portal.  
-  Assistance to establish the trade portal 
(including the legal basis, the definition 
of the organizational structure, 
procedures to coordinate and keep 
information current, and training).  
-  Assistance to purchase needed ICT and 
office equipment, as required to operate 
a national trade portal.  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2022  30 November 2024  -  Assistance with policy and technical 
expertise in the design and 
implementation of a national trade 
enquiry point.  
-  Assistance to develop an enquiry point 
implementation plan.  
 -  Assista nce to carry out training on 
administration and operation of the 
enquiry point.   
  G/TFA/N/SLE/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)  
-  Assistance to purchase needed ICT and 
office equipment required to operate the 
trade enquiry point  
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 2022  31 December 2024  -  Technical support in the implementation 
of border authorities ' consultation 
procedures, including assistance in the 
development of guidelines and training.  
Article 2.2  Consultations  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -   Technical expertise in effective 
consultation mechanisms and best 
practices.  
-  Training of private and public sector on 
effective consultation methods and 
practices.  
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -  Assistance to assess and clarify, as 
required, legislation, regulation and/or 
formal policy measures so that Customs 
has authority, policies, and procedures to 
issue advance rulings in accordance with 
the WTO TFA Article 3.  
-  Assistance to deliver capaci ty building 
assistance in developing and 
implementing a training programme for 
customs officials in preparing and 
executing "Advance Rulings" as well as 
additional training in Tariff Classification, 
Rules of Origin and Customs Valuation to 
support this new  function.  
-  Assistance with developing a stakeholder 
outreach and public sensitisation program 
to inform traders of the advance ruling 
service, how to apply, forms and 
information required and to encourage 
uptake of this trade facilitation measure.  
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -  Assistance to assess and clarify, as 
required, legislation, regulation and/or 
formal policy measures to ensure that 
Customs procedures for appeal are  
  G/TFA/N/SLE/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)  
sufficient to meet the requirements under 
Article 4 of the WTO TFA.  
-  Assistance to deliver capacity bui lding 
assistance in developing and 
implementing a training programme for 
customs officials in responding to 
requests for appeals as well as additional 
training as required to support this 
function.  
-  Assistance with developing a stakeholder 
outreach and public sensitisation program 
to inform traders of the appeal process, 
how to apply, forms and information 
required to lodge an appeal.  
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -  Assistance to automate in ASYCUDA 
World the alert system and workflows to 
deal with enhanced controls.  
-  Assistance to automate ASYCUDA World 
notification to traders  of enhanced 
controls.  
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  -  Assistance to draft technical agency -
specific "Inspection Guidelines " and 
operating procedures for the second test.  
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  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  -  Assistance to deliver capacity building on 
the review of their fees and charges in 
order to reduce the number and 
diversity.  
-  Assistance to establish an intra -sectoral 
work group for regular review of costs of 
public services under the scope of the 
NTFC.  
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  -  Assistance to deliver capacity building on 
the calculation and recording of costs of 
public services.   
  G/TFA/N/SLE/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)  
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  -  Assistance to review the Customs Act to 
strengthen pre -arrival processing 
sections and to capacity develop writing 
regulatory frameworks.  
-  Assistance to develop and implement the 
Pre-arrival module in ASYCUDA.  
-  Assistance to connect other border 
regulatory agencies to the ASYCUDA 
system.  
-  Assistance with developing a stakeholder 
outreach and public sensitisation program 
to inform traders about pre -arrival 
processing and how to access it.  
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  -  Assistance to carry out an assessment 
and possible implementation of the 
relevant electronic payment option in 
ASYCUDA World.  
-  Assistance with developing a stakeholder 
outreach and public sensitisation program 
to inform traders of the electronic 
payment option and to encourage 
uptake.  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  -  Assistance to for all border technical 
agencies to develop agency specific 
procedures and regulations to implement 
this measure.  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -  Assistance with the development of a 
national risk management framework to 
include all other border regulatory 
agencies.  
-  Assistance with capacity building for risk 
management units/officers on risk 
assessment and data analysis for all 
border agencies.  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -  Assistance with capacity building for 
Post-clearance Audit staff on accounting 
and audit standards and technique, 
systems audit, accounting systems 
software, and risk assessment for audit 
planning.   
  G/TFA/N/SLE/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)  
-  Assistance to carry o ut an assessment for 
any requirements, and supply, of audit 
management software.  
-  Assistance to review and make 
recommendations on Post -clearance 
Audit standard operating procedures.  
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  -  Assistance with reviewing/updating the 
TRS questionnaire.  
-  Assistance to train all agencies in 
requirements for completing the TRS.  
-  Assistance in analysing the TRS results.  
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  -  Assistance in analysis, design and 
planning an authorized operator program 
appropriate to Sierra Leone, taking into 
consideration models of comparable 
countries.  
-  Assistance in establishing the required 
supporting rules, procedures, and 
administrative structure for the 
implementation of an authorized operator 
program.  
-  Assistance in design of simplified 
procedures that may be offered to 
authorized operators (or general ly). 
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  -  Assistance to conduct a feasibility study 
to determine the need for, and possible 
design of, special procedures for 
expedited release of air cargo (taking 
into account WCO immediate release 
guidelines).  
-  Assistance to review and revise 
legislation, as necessary, to allow for 
simplified procedures for express 
consignment  
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  -  Assistance to develop a coordinated 
border management environment 
(including legal, procedural/operational, 
and technical support).   
  G/TFA/N/SLE/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)  
-  Assistance with capacity building on 
inter-agency coordination, agenda -
setting, meeting management, etc.  
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs Control  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  -  Assistance to develop automation tools 
for monitoring of goods intended for 
import under customs controls in 
ASYCUDA, and development of specific 
risk profiles.  
-  Assistance to purchase automation 
mobile tools for border posts.  
Article 10  Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -  Assistance to develop appropriate legal or 
policy measures and implementing 
procedures.  
-  Assistance with capacity building for 
border authorities on the conduct of 
regulatory impact and trade impact 
analysis.  
-  Assistance to establish an intra -sectoral 
working group under the scope of the 
NTFC for regular review of proposed or 
existing import/export rules, formalities, 
or documentation requirements.  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  -  Assistance to develop rules for the use of 
copies of required documents, based on 
international best practices.  
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2025  -  Assistance to support Sierra Leone 's 
development of regulations and 
instructions (including SOPs) necessary 
to implement the Customs Act, ensuring 
consistency with TFA and the Revised 
Kyoto Convention.  
-  Assistance to carry out a training needs 
assessment and provide training 
programs to cus toms staff and brokers 
on international standards and best 
practices in regard to trade facilitation, 
particularly high priority areas of risk 
management, legal instruments,  
  G/TFA/N/SLE/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)  
WCO/WTO instruments, and the use of IT 
in trade facilitation initiatives.  
Article 10.4  Single Window  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2027  -  Assistance to support the development of 
the National Single Window blueprint and 
need to explore option for developing a 
National Single Window solution.  
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2024  -  Assistance to review the current customs 
code for any weaknesses that might 
hamper customs from implementing 
regulations or SOPs to reduce 
inconsistency.  
-  Assistanc e to develop and implement 
Customs regulations that will increase 
consistency of customs processes 
regardless of whether the customs 
commercial system is available.  
-  Assistance with purchasing of automation 
infrastructure for certain border points.  
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  
 C 31 December 2022  31 December 2023  -  Assistance with drafting of terms of 
reference and job descriptions for 
customs staff responsible for this matter.  
-  Assistance to implement procedures for 
customs -to-customs exchange of 
information consistent with the TFA 
measure.  
 
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