G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
22 November 2021  
(21-8804) Page: 1/48 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
FIRST REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  
OF THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  
Revision1  
Contents  
 
 
1   INTRODUCTION  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  3 
2   SECTION I OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ...............................  4 
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ .............................  4 
2.1   Notifications under Section I of the TFA  ................................ ................................ .........  4 
2.2   Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  ................................ ...........................  7 
2.3   Experience sharing by Members on trade facilitating measures taken to mitigate the 
COVID -19 Crisis  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  11 
2.4   Specific Trade Concerns  ................................ ................................ ............................  12 
Kazakhstan – Border Restrictions of Goods in Transit – Request from the Kyrgyz Republic 
(G/TFA/W/20; G/T FA/W/20/Corr.1; G/TFA/W/20/Add.1)  ................................ .......................  12 
2.5   Involvement of the private sector  ................................ ................................ ...............  12 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION I OF THE TFA UNDER CONSIDERATION BY 
THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE FACILITATION  ................................ ................................ ... 12 
3   SECTION II OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ...........................  13 
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ ...........................  13 
3.1   Notifications under Section II of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ...... 13 
3.1.1    Notifications by Members under Articles 15 and 16  ................................ ....................  14 
3.1.2    Status of Notifications under Articles 15 and 16  ................................ .........................  15 
3.1.3    Rate of implementation commitments  ................................ ................................ ...... 18 
3.1.4    Requests for extension of the deadline for the notific ation of definitive dates for 
category  B measures by LDC Members  ................................ ................................ ...............  23 
3.1.5    Notifications on technical assistance and capacity build ing support for category C 
designations  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  23 
3.1.6    Notifications under Article 17  ................................ ................................ ..................  24 
3.1.7    Notifications under Article 19 of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ... 26 
3.1.8    Notifications under Article 22 of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ... 26 
3.2   Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  ................................ .........................  27 
 
1 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7 reflects the Committee's discussions during the Committee on Trade Facilitation's 
meeting 15 November 2021 and subsequent communications received from Members  up until 19 November 
2021. G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  3.3   Article 21:4: Dedicated Sessions on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building  ...............  27 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION II OF THE TFA UNDER CONSIDERATION 
BY THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE FACILITATION  ................................ .............................  29 
4   SECTION III OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ ..........................  30 
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  ................................ ................................ ...........................  30 
4.1   Ratifications  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  30 
4.2   Article 23 Institutional Arrangements  ................................ ................................ ..........  31 
4.2.1    Article 23.1 Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ .............................  31 
4.2.2    Rules of procedure of the Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ ..........  32 
4.2.3    Annual reports by the Committee to t he Council for Trade in Goods  .............................  32 
4.2.4    Other business  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 33 
4.2.5    Article 23.2 National Committee on Trade Facilitation  ................................ .................  33 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION III OF THE TFA UNDER CONSIDERATION 
BY THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE FACILITATION  ................................ .............................  35 
5   REPORTS TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT 
FACILITY  AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON 
TRADE  FACILITATION ON THEIR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT MEMBERS IN THE 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TFA  ................................ ................................ .....................  36 
5.1   TFAF Operation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  36 
6   LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ... 37 
6.1   TFA implementation achievements and constraints of LDCs ................................ ...........  37 
6.2   LDC notifications under Section II of the TFA  ................................ ...............................  38 
6.2.3    Challenges  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  38 
6.2.4    Support received  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 38 
6.3   Implementation of the provisions of the TFA  ................................ ................................  39 
6.4   Category C measures  ................................ ................................ ................................  42 
6.5   Perceptions of traders regarding implementation of the TFA  ................................ ...........  42 
6.6   Desired improvements identified by traders  ................................ ................................ . 42 
6.7   Some examples of lessons learned  ................................ ................................ .............  43 
6.8   Summary  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  43 
6.9   LDC merchandise trade 2017 -2020 ................................ ................................ .............  43 
7   DATABASE AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENTS SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE TF 
COMMITTEE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  44 
8   MEMBERS' GENERAL PROPOSALS  ................................ ................................ .............  44 
9   RECOMMENDATIONS AND DECISIONS RESULTING FROM THE R EVIEW  ....................  44 
9.1   Section I of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 44 
9.2   Section II of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 44 
9.3   Section III of the TFA  ................................ ................................ ................................  45 
ANNEX 1  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  47 
ANNEX 2  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  48 
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  The First Review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA, the Agreement, TF Agreement) is 
being carried out in 2021 in accordance with the mandate under Article 23.1.6 of the Agreement. 
Article 23.1.6 provides that "[t]he Committee shall review the operation and implementation of this 
Agreement four years from its entry into force, and periodically thereafter".  
1.2.  While the mandate in Article 23.1.6 stipulates that t he review period starts from the entry into 
force of the Agreement, in order to capture all notifications submitted by Members, the notification 
data contained in this factual report covers the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 October 2021.  
1.3.  Otherwise, this report covers the period from 22 February 2017 to 31 October  2021.  
1.4.  At its meeting of 3 March 2021, the Committee on Trade Facilitation (TF Committee, 
Committee, TFC, CTF) adopted a calendar and procedure to undertake the First Review.2 A first draft 
factual section of the review, which provided information regarding the implementation and 
operation issues of the Agreement, as determined by Members during the review period, was 
circulated in document G/TFA/W/41. A number of written textual e dits on the draft factual report, 
as well as new proposals, were received from Members and were circulated in the G/TFA/W/ 
document series. These communications were incorporated in draft form into the draft Secretariat's 
factual report and this document f ormed the basis of the draft review and was circulated as document 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.1. The Committee reviewed the document at its meetings of 20 July 2021 and 
22 September 2021. Following the September meeting, a further revision was circulated in 
document G /TFA/W/41/Rev.2 which was reviewed at a Committee meeting that took place on 
13 October 2021. Following the Committee meeting of 19 –21 October, the Secretariat circulated 
document G/TFA/W/41/Rev.3, which reflected the outcome of the discussions at the 13 O ctober and 
19-21 October meetings.    
1.5.  The draft review document is structured according to Sections I, II and III of the Agreement. 
It also includes quantitative information on the submitted notifications, a description of the thematic 
and experience shari ng sessions, written submissions by Members and other issues relevant to each 
Section of the Agreement.  
1.6.  The TFA entered into force on 22 February 2017; developing Members and least -developed 
country  Members have used the  flexibilities that this Agreement provides  in the process of 
implementation . By and large, Members concerned (except a few that have not yet ratified the 
Agreement) notified their categorization of commitments in a timely manner. This is a remarkable 
achievement, given the very specific and new modalities of Section II of the Agreement. It is worth 
noting the specific challenges faced by LDC Members , as they are still struggling for fulfilling the 
notification obligations and therefore less concentrated on benefitting from the Ag reement .3 
Developing Members also notified the definitive deadlines for their category B and C commitments 
- while LDC Members have  notified definitive dates of category B and indicative dates of category C 
commitments. The LDCs have  until 22 August 2022 to notify their definitive dates for implementation 
of their category C commitments. Based on the timelines notified by Members, at the time of the 
finalization of this report, about 70.5% of the provisions of the Agreement are implemented.  
1.7.  The next challe nge that several Members stressed during the meetings is to find the 
appropriate means to review and monitor the implementation of the commitments of category A, B 
and C that are already due for implementation (notably, but not only on transparency) and th ose 
that will be due in the years to come. The least developed country Members expressed their views 
that the next challenge now is to make sure that the measures notified under the category C by the 
LDCs are fully implemented in a timely manner with suppo rt from the donor country Members.  
To facilitate this monitoring of the commitments that are due this year (2021) and next year, the 
WTO Secretariat has produced a document ( G/TFA/INF/1 ) that lists all definitive implementatio n 
dates until the end of 2022. It is understood that the WTO Secretariat will keep updating this 
document.   
 
2 G/TFA/1 . 
3 This is a placeholder for LDC Members to insert their input as suggested during the informal TFC 
meeting of 22 September 2021 and based on their contributions such as G/TFA/W/58 and G/TFA/W/59/R ev.1. G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  1.8.  The COVID -19 pandemic has represented an unprecedented challenge for all Members' 
Customs procedures that had to be adjusted to ensure in particular  a smooth flow of the goods that 
are essential to address the pandemic  that is still ongoing at the time of the finalization of this report.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least Developed Countries  
Presenting comparative trade (export and import) data based on the different groups of Members 
such as developed, developing, LDCs and LLDCs from the year 2017 to 2020 would be helpful in 
providing general understanding of the relationship of TFA implementation and global trade 
facilitated across different groups of Members.  
G/TFA/W/59/Rev.1 , para 2.6  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2  SECTION I OF THE TFA  
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
2.1  Notifications under Section I of the TFA  
2.1.  The TFA requires Members to notify the Committee of the following: the publication of 
information for governments and traders on import, export and transit procedures (Article 1.4); the 
details of operation of their single window (Article 10.4.3); the use of customs brokers 
(Article  10.6.2); and details of the contact point for the exchange of customs information 
(Article  12.2.2). The notifications are due in accordance with each Member's categorization of the 
transparency provisions, therefore some  notifications may have fallen due during the review period 
and other notifications may not be due until a future date, or after receipt of necessary technical 
assistance, if the provision is in category C.  
2.2.  The current status of transparency notifications is shown in Chart 1, below.  The number of 
notifications that have been presented under each transparency provisions are shown in the green 
column, while the number of notifications that may be in category B or C and are not yet due to be 
implemented are s hown in the grey columns. The number of transparency notifications that are 
over-due are shown in the red columns.  
Chart 1: Status of Transparency Notifications by Article  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database 
(https://tfadatabase.org/notifications/transparency/visual -analytics ). 
 
2.3.  Chart 2 provides further detailed information by separating th e notifications under each 
provision into category A, B and C. The data reflects that the greatest number of notifications not 
yet due are found in category C. The majority of over -due notifications are in category A.  
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  Chart 2: Status of Transparency Notifi cations by Article and Category  
 
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database 
(https://tfadatabase.org/notifications/transparency/visual -analytics ). 
 
2.4.  Chart 3 shows  the n umber of notifications received per calendar year over the period from 
01 January 2016, (when the first transparency notification was made) to 31  October  2021.4 In total, 
257 transparency notifications were submitted  over this period.  
 
4 The data reflects the total number of transparency notifications received, including notifications to 
update information previously submitted, and not the number of Members that submitted transparency 
notifications.  
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  Chart 3: Number of transparency notifications received per year  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
2.5.  The cumulative distribution of the transparency notifications submitted by Membe rs is 
displayed in Table 1.  
Table 1: Cumulative break -down of transparency notifications submitted by percentage  
Article  Notification  Percentage  
Article 1.4  Publication of information for governments and traders on 
import, export and transit procedures  27% 
Article 10.4.3  Details of operation of the single window  22% 
Article 10.6.2  Use of customs brokers  26% 
Article 12.2.2  Contact point for the exchange of customs information  25% 
2.6.  Chart 4 shows the percentage of transparency notifications submitted per Member grouping 
per year.  
Chart 4: Percentage of transparency notifications received per Member grouping per year  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
2.7.  The information in Chart 4 reflects the implementation of the TFA by developed Members upon 
entry into force of the Agreement, and the implementation of the Agreement by developing Members 1 12 56 
49 81 
58 
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
50%63%
4%46%57%
0%50%38%
86%49%31%
100%10%5%12%
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Developed Country Developing Member Least Developed CountryG/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  and least developed country Members between 2017 and 2021 in accord ance with their 
self-determined categorization and deadlines. Consequently, the percentage of notifications received 
per Member per year reflects Members' self -determined dates for implementation of the 
transparency notifications.  
2.2  Experience sharing exerci se/thematic discussions  
2.8.  The first experience -sharing exercise/thematic discussion took place during the fourth meeting 
of the Committee, held on 2 -3 May 2018. Thereafter, it remained as an agenda item for each 
subsequent Committee meeting. During the revie w period, a total of 14 experience -sharing exercises 
took place in relation to provisions under Section I of the TFA. The sharing of experiences by 
Members took various formats: thematic discussions, cross -cutting issues, and presentations on 
specific TFA provisions.  
2.9.  The COVID -19 pandemic prompted Members to intensify their experience sharing on this 
particular challenge that customs had to face during 2020 and most of 2021. The EU proposal  
(document G/TFA/W/31/Rev.4)  that the WTO Secretariat prepare a comp endium of the reported 
experiences was adopted. The compendium (document G/TFA/W/40/Rev.2 ) is attached as Annex 1. 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Section I should elaborate further about the impact of COVID -19 on implementation and measures 
taken to facilitate trade.  
G/TFA/W/59/Rev.1  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
2.10.   The experience -sharing sessions included the participation of the following international 
organizations, which comprise some of the so -called "Annex D+ partner organizations": the World 
Bank Group (WBG), World Customs Organization (WCO), the Organization for Economic Cooper ation 
and Development (OECD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and 
the International Trade Centre (ITC). The Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF), a 
public -private partnership dedicated to international trade facilit ation5, and the Standards Trade and 
Development Facility (STDF) a multi -partner initiative6, also participated in the experience -sharing 
sessions. The list of presentations is contained in Annex 2, Table 1.  
 
2.11.   In total , 29 Members shared their implementation experience with regard to six TFA articles 
as follows: Article 1: Publication and Availability of Information ( 5 Members); Article 2: Opportunity 
to Comment, Information Before Entry Into Force, And Consultations ( 3 Members); Article 3: 
Advance Rulings ( 6 Members); Article 7: Release and Clearance Of Goods ( 13 Members); Article 10: 
Formalities Connected With Importation, Exportation And Transit (10 Members); Article  11, and 
Freedom of Transit ( 2 Members). See Table 2. A number of Members also  made presentations on 
cross-cutting issues, which are listed in Table 3.  
2.12.   Article 23.2 of the TFA requires each Member to establish and/or maintain a National 
Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) or designate an existing mechanism to facilitate both 
dome stic coordination and implementation of the provisions of the TFA. Seventeen Members took 
the opportunity to share with the Committee their experiences in both the development and 
operation of their NCTFs, either through oral presentations or written submi ssions. Further details 
regarding experience -sharing on NCTFs are contained in section 4.2.5 of the report entitled 
"Article  23.2 National Committee on Trade Facilitation".  
 
5 The Global Alliance is led by the Center for International Private Enterprise, the International Chamber 
of Commerce and the World Economic Forum, in cooperation with Gesellschaft für Internationale 
Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). It is currently funded by the governments of the United States, C anada, Germany, 
Denmark and Australia.  
6 The STDF grew out of a joint communiqué issued by the Heads of FAO, OIE, WBG, WHO and WTO at 
the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001. It is hosted by the WTO Secretariat, supporting increased 
capacity of de veloping Members  to implement international SPS standards, guidelines and recommendations.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  Table 2: Experience -sharing presentations and written communications  by Members on 
Section I provisions  
Member  Title Committee meeting  Document 
Symbol  
Article 1: Publication and Availability of Information   
Ecuador  Publication and availability of 
information  (in Spanish only)  11 February 2020   
Eswatini, 
Kingdom of  Trade Facilitation Programme and 
Trade Facilitation Information Portal 
ETIP 20-22 October 2020   
Jamaica  Jamaica' s Trade Information Portal  
Jamaica's Trade Facilitation 
Programme  15-16 October 2019   
Tajikistan  Implementation of the TFA measures  
Tajikistan trade portal video  22 -23 June 2021   
United States  Developing the Article 1.4 notification  25-26 June 2019  G/TFA/W/13  
Zambia  Launch of the Zambia Trade 
Information Portal   G/TFA/W/34  
Article 2: Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -discrimination and 
Transparency   
European Union  EU implementation of Article 2 of the 
TFA 26 June 2018   
Paraguay  Implementation of Article 2 of the 
TFA and update of progress on TFA 
implementation  19-21 October 2021   
United States  The Role of Notice and Comment and 
Related Administrative Procedures in 
Trade Facilitation Implementation  26 June 2018  G/TFA/W/6  
Article 3: Advance Rulings   
Australia  Australia Advance Rulings - 
Presentation  12-13 February 2019  G/TFA/W/11  
Bahrain, Kingdom 
of on behalf of 
Kingdom of 
Bahrain, State of 
Kuwait, Oman, 
Qatar, Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia 
and United Arab 
Emirates  Experience with Advance rulings   G/TFA/W/61  
Japan  Advance Rulings - Japan's experience  12-13 February 2019   
Madagascar  Madagascar's experience with 
implementation of Article 3 of the 
TFA and implementation of the e-
Phyto solution  19-20 July 2021   
Singapore  Singapore - Advance Rulings  9-11 October 2018   
Ukraine  Advanced rulings  
Advanced rulings - key points  11 February 2020   
United States  Speaking points - The role of 
advance rulings and administrative 
procedures in TFA implementation  9-11 October 2018  G/TFA/W/7  
Article 5:  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
United States  The role of second test procedures in 
trade facilitation   G/TFA/W/48  
Article 7: Release and Clearance of Goods   
Australia  Australia's Authorized Economic 
Operator (AEO) Program - Australian 
Trusted Trader  
Video: Australian Trusted Trader - an 
overview  9-11 October 2018  G/TFA/W/9  
Brazil Brazil's AEO programme  9-11 October  2018  
Time release study  22-23 March 2021  G/TFA/W/33  
Cambodia  Shifting Category C to B - Article 7.9 
Perishable goods  22-23 April 2021   
China  China's AEO programme  9-11 October  2018  
European Union  The EU Authorised Economic 
Operator AEO Programme  9-11 October 2018   G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  Member  Title Committee meeting  Document 
Symbol  
Guatemala  Guatemala's AEO programme - 
Presentación del programa de 
operador económico autorizado en 
Guatemala  9-11 October 2018   
Estudio de tiempos de despacho  20-22 October 2020   
Hong Kong, China  Implementation of the AEO 
Programme in  Hong Kong China  9-11 October 2018  G/TFA/W/8  
Korea, Republic of  Korea AEO programme  15-16 October 2019   
Sri Lanka  WCO Time Release Study - Sri 
Lanka's experience  11 February 2020   
Tonga  Implementation of TFA Article 7.8 
expedited shipments for the 
importation of Covid -19 vaccine  19-21 October 2021   
United States  US Cargo time release study phase 
two executive summary  11 February 2020  G/TFA/W/21  
Uruguay  Plazos medios de levante y programa 
de Operador Económico Autorizado 
en aplicación del AFC  25-26 June 2019  G/TFA/W/12  
Zambia  Authorised Economic Operators AEO 
- Customs Accredited Client 
Programme  9-11 October 2018   
Article 8: Border Agency Cooperation  
Chile, Ecuador, 
Costa Rica, 
Mexico, Paraguay, 
Uruguay  Border Agency Cooperation   G/TFA/W/22  
Article 10: Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit   
Brazil  Single window implementation in 
Brazil  9-11 October 2018   
TFA implementation in Brazil through 
Public -Private Partnership   
China  Single Window in China  15-16 October 2019   
European Union  Special procedures processing and 
temporary admission  
Room document  12-13 February 2019   
Kazakhstan  Implementation of the TFA using the 
example of single window for import 
and export operations  19-21 October 2021   
Korea, Republic of  Single Window in Korea  9-11 October 2018   
Malaysia  ASEAN statement - Discussions on 
single window  9-11 October 2018   
Rwanda/  
UNCTAD  UNCTAD Compendium of Good 
Practices UNCTAD and Rwanda  15-16 October 2019   
Saudi Arabia, 
Kingdom of  Overview of Trade Facilitation 
Initiatives in Saudi Customs  9-11 October 2018   
The Separate 
Custom s Territory 
of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen 
and Matsu  CPT Single Window  15-16 October 2019   
Vanuatu  Vanuatu Electronic Single Window  19-21 October 2021   G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  Member  Title Committee meeting  Document 
Symbol  
Article 11: Freedom of Transit   
European Union  EU Customs Transit Procedures 
Including Arrangements with a 
Number of Neighbouring Countries 
Under the Common Transit 
Convention  
EU Non Paper - European Union 
Customs Transit including 
arrangements with neighbouring 
countries under the Common Transit 
Convention  2-3 May 2018   
Kyrgyz Republic  Provision on the national transit 
coordinator   G/TFA/W/16  
Mongolia  Provision on the national transit 
coordinator   G/TFA/W/18  
Switzerland  Implementation of National and 
International Transit Procedures  9-11 October 2018   
 
Table 3: Experience -sharing presentations and written communications by Members on 
cross -cutting issues  
Member  Presentation  Committee 
Meeting  Document 
Symbol  
China  Approaches to Planning for Future Experience 
Sharing among Members  26 June 2018   
Implementation of WTO TFA by China 
Customs  2-3 May 2018   
Accelerated Implementation of the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement Through China’s Smart 
Governance in Customs Ad ministration  
 
Explanation of powerpoint presentation   22-23 June 2021  G/TFA/W/44  
Costa Rica  Costa Rica statement  11 February 2020   
Ecuador  Global Alliance cooperation to strengthen the 
implementation of the TFA with public -private 
participation  19-21 October 2021   
El Salvador  Central American Trade Facilitation and 
Competitiveness Strategy with Emphasis  on 
Coordinated Border Management (in Spanish 
only)   
Guatemala  Trade Facilitation Through a Regional Lens  26 June 2018   
Jordan  Elimination of the consularization requirement   G/TFA/W/23  
Moldova, 
Republic of  Moldova's National Action Plan on Trade 
Facilitation  2-3 May 2018   
Mongolia  Information on Articles 5.1, 5.3, 7.2, 9 and 
10.5  G/TFA/W/32  
Morocco  Implementation of the TFA through a public -
private partn ership  11 February 2020   
Multiple 
(United States 
and Norway)  Revisiting the need for global action to 
eliminate consularization requirements   G/TFA/W/38  
Nepal  Implementing the TFA – shifting 11 provisions 
from category C to category B  22-23 June 202 1  
North 
Macedonia  Trade Facilitation Agreement Implementation - 
Some Practical Aspects  2-3 May 2018   
United States  Communication from the United States - 
Sharing of experiences  11 February 2020  G/TFA/W/19  
Opportunities for MSMEs - Statement by The 
United States  
 
The Trade Facilitation Agreement: A World of 
Opportunities for MSMEs  22 April 2021 – 
23 April 2021   
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  2.3  Experience sharing by Members on trade facilitating measures taken to mitigate the 
COVID -19 Crisis  
2.13.   Following the outbreak of the COVID -19 pandemic in 2020, the TF Committee held an informal 
Committee meeting on 30 September 2020 to provide an opportunity to Members to inform the 
Committee of trade facilitating measures that they had adopted in response to COVID -19. The 
meeting started with updates from the ITC, the WBG, the WCO, UNCTAD and GATF on their work in 
this area. The organizations presented their work under the following headings: ITC - "Continuing 
TACB during the ti mes of pandemics - ITC experience "; WBG - "The World Bank Group response to 
trade facilitation during the COVID crisis "; WCO - "What Customs can do to mitigate the effects of 
the COVID -19 pandemic "; World Economic Forum (GATF) " COVID impact on trade facili tation – 
observations, challenges and opportunities "; and UNCTAD " Easing global trade and transport during 
COVID -19". 
2.14.   The TF Committee instructed the Secretariat to compile a compendium document of the 
contributions  of COVID -19 responses that the TFC Membe rs and Observers have provided to the TFC 
and is available in document G/TFA/W/40 /Rev.2 . The compendium also includes presentations made 
to the Committee by a number of Annex D+ partner organizations. Links to the presentations made 
by Members and Annex D+ partner organizations are included in the compendium.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the European Union  
 
As stated in para 1. 7, and in accordance with the decision reached in the Trade Facilitation 
Committee following an EU proposal that was agreed to by Members through a silent procedure 
on 9 April 2021 (G/TFA/W/31/Rev.4), the Secretariat issued a compendium document of the 
contributions of COVID -19 responses that the Committee on Trade Facilitation Members and 
Observers informally reported during the sessions on sharing of experiences. This document can 
be found in Annex 1.   
G/TFA/W/73  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
2.15.   The following seven Members reported to the Committee on the trade facilitating measures 
that they had undertaken: the Dominican Republic; the European Union; Guatemala; Japan; N epal 
(as a focal point of the Core Group on Trade Facilitation of the LDC Group); Switzerland; and the 
United States.  
 
2.16.   The Ottawa Group, which includes Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Union, Japan, 
Kenya, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zeala nd, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland, introduced a 
communication circulated in document G/TFA/W/24 which compiled the COVID -19 measures taken 
by its members. Brazil, Colombia and the United States introduced a joint communication entitled 
"Supporting the Timely and Efficient Release of Global Goods Through Accelerated Implementation 
of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement" which was circulated in document G/TFA/W/25.  
2.17.   Members continued to share information on the trade facilitating measures that they had 
taken to mitigate COVID -19 at the Committee meetings of 21 -22 October 2020, 
26-27 January  2021, 3 March 2021, 22 -23 April 2021, 22 -23 June 2021, and 19 -21 October 2021.  
2.18.   At the meeting of 21 -22 October 2020, the following Members informed the Committee of the 
trade facilitating measures that they had taken to mitigate COVID -19: the European Union 
"Paper -based proofs of Preferential Origin under Covid -19 crisis"; the US updated the Committee on 
the communication entitled "Supporting The Timely A nd Efficient Release Of Global Goods Through 
Accelerated Implementation Of The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement" ( G/TFA/W/25 ); Paraguay 
"Ventanilla únic a del exportador – medidas en época de pandemia "; Nepal "Trade and Transit 
Facilitation – Nepal's experience; Canada "e -Longroom: an Emerging Digital Customs Strategy"; 
Afghanistan "Status and challenges of Trade Facilitation Agreement Implementation in Af ghanistan"; 
Mongolia "Implementation of the TFA by Mongolia"; Japan "Japan Customs' Response to COVID -19; 
the Dominican Republic " Medidas temporales adoptadas por la República Dominicana en respuesta 
al COVID -19", and India introduced its communication ent itled "Intimation to the Committee on 
Trade Facilitation about India's COVID -19 Trade Facilitation Measures" circulated in document 
G/TFA/W/26 .  Saint L ucia, The Netherlands, and the EU provided additional information.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  2.19.   At the meeting of 22 -23 April 2021, the following Members informed the Committee of the 
trade facilitating measures that they had taken to mitigate COVID -19: Cambodia "Mitigating 
COVID -19 – Article 10.4 Single Window"; and Turkey "Outcomes of Turkey's electronic customs 
procedures in line with TFA on international supply chains during the COVID -19 pandemic".  
2.20.   At the meeting of 19 -21 October, Tonga informed the Committee of its experience in 
implementing A rticle 7.8 expedited shipments to facilitate the importation of COVID -19 Vaccine.  
2.21.   A number of Annex D+ partner organizations made presentations to the Committee during 
these meetings regarding the support that they were providing to Members d uring the COVID -19 
pandemic. The presentations are listed in Annex 2, Table 2.  
2.4  Specific Trade  Concerns  
Kazakhstan – Border Restrictions of Goods in Transit – Request from the Kyrgyz Republic 
(G/TFA/W/20; G/TFA/W/20/Corr.1; G/TFA/W/20/Add.1)  
2.22.   The Committee addressed one matter concerning a specific trade concern that was raised at 
its meeting of 11 February 2020.7 The Kyrgyz Republic raised a concern regarding Kazakhstan's 
treatment of its goods transiting to the Russian Fede ration. Kazakhstan considered that the issue 
should be addressed within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, to which they both are 
members.  
2.5  Involvement of the private sector  
2.23.   If and how the private sector can be involved in the Trade facilitation Committee is still under 
discussion by Members. However, on 22 April 2021, at the margins of the meeting of the TFC, the 
Global Express Association (GEA), which represents DHL, FedEx and UPS, organized a webinar to 
which the Committee was invi ted. 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION I OF THE TFA  UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE 
COMMITTEE ON TRADE FACILITATION  
2.24.   The proposals under this section were submitted by Members during the first review of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement.  At the time of concludi ng the review, consensus had not yet been 
reached by the Committee on the proposals included in this section. To allow for further consideration 
and possible adoption of these proposals by the Committee, Section 8 of this report includes a 
decision that an  agenda item be added to the Trade Facilitation Committee agenda entitled "Follow -
up to the four -year review".  
Proposal from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, the European Union, 
Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealan d, North  Macedonia, 
Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen And Matsu, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and 
Uruguay.  
Supporting the timely and efficient release of global goods through  accelerated implementation of 
the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
G/TFA/W/25/Rev.7  (Docume nt series G/TFA/W/25 ) 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from Brazil, Costa Rica, European Union, Norway, Switzerland and the United 
States  
WTO Members should utilize the tools afforded to them in TFA Article 10.1 to review their trade 
requirements and minimize unnecessary and costly formalities, including consularization 
requirements. National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCs) can look to  the private sector as a 
critical and important first step in identifying needless bottlenecks. The private sector and 
Members have identified consularization requirements as one such bottleneck because it fails to 
contribute to legitimate customs -related processes. Therefore, during this time of economic global 
 
7 G/L/1375  and G/TFA/M/10 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  crisis, we call on Members to eliminate consularization requirements to fulfil their TFA Article 10.1 
commitment to reduce and eliminated unnecessary and costly formalities.  
G/TFA/W/38/Rev.3  (Document series G/TFA/W/38 ) 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union  
The EU suggests that when the priva te sector comments on TFA implementation, that they are 
invited to inform, to the extent possible, whether the transparency notifications are sufficient, as 
these notifications aim primarily to help SMEs and traders to comply with their obligations.  
EU comment : The US Brazil proposal on business engagement is more comprehensive 
and would make this proposal less pertinent if  the US Brazil document 
G/TFA/W/42/Rev.1 were adopted.  
 
Comment :  This text box has been moved and is now placed on page 35  
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 7  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from Brazil  
With the intention of improving the implementation of the provisions related to risk management, 
pre-arrival processing and customs cooperation, provided for in Articles  7.1, 7.3 and 12 of the 
Agreement on Trade Facilitation of the WTO, Brazil understands that a ne w approach is essential, 
one which encourages customs to implement the exchange, by electronic means, of information 
and data that are normally provided to them by traders involved in foreign trade operations.  
Therefore, where permitted by the laws and reg ulations in force in each member, and within the 
available resources of their respective Customs administrations, and based on the bilateral 
agreements, we encourage those members that already have international agreements with this 
type of provision to co nsider the implementation of bilateral mechanisms for the advance 
electronic transmission of data from their export declarations and the automatic and regular 
exchange of data on their imports and exports, for risk management purposes. Likewise, while 
there are no multilateral agreements in that regard, we encourage the other members to pursue 
this kind of bilateral agreements.  
G/TFA/W/51/Rev.1  paras. 7-8 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3  SECTION  II OF THE TFA  
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
3.1  Notifications under Section  II of the TFA  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
The addition of a brief analysis of tables would further add value.  
G/TFA/W/59 , para. 2.2  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Include a table in section 3 of the report on the number of LDC  Member  notifications under 
categories A, B, and C by article, with analysis of provisions most LDC  Members  have n otified in 
the same category. This could give Members an idea of those articles LDC  Members  share in 
common within the relevant categories.  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.3 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
It could be useful to include in the factual report a separate section on LDC  Members  with a brief 
assessment of both challenges and achievements. The development of a section on LDC  Members  
might have lessons learnt on what worked and existing gaps. This could assist in easily identifying 
the situation of the LDC  Members  in TFA implementa tion and areas for collaboration.  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.8 
Proposal under consideration  by the CTF  
 
3.1.1   Notifications  by Members under Articles 15 and 16  
3.1.  Developing and least-developed  country Members invoking the special flexibilities contained in 
Section II of the TFA are required to notify the Committee in accordance with Articles 15 and 16 of 
the TFA. The timeline fo r notification obligations under Articles 15 and 16 is outlined in Table  4. 
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Include a table in section 3 of the report on the number of LDC  Member s notifications under 
categories A, B, and C by article, with analysis of provisions most LDC  Members  have notified in 
the same category. This could give Members an idea of those articles LDC  Members  share in 
common within the relevant categories. This coul d provide a sense  of the provisions different LDC  
Members  see as the most difficult or requiring assistance under category C.  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.3 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
Table 4: Timeline of Notification Obligations under Articles 15 and 16 of the TFA 
2017  
22 February  Developing Members  • Notify designations of categories A, B 
and/or C  
• Provide indicative implementation dates for 
category B and category C designations  
• Provide TACB requirements for category C 
designations  
2018  
22 February  Developing Members  • Provide definitive dates for category B 
designations  
• Provide information on arrangements 
entered with Donors on TACB for category 
C designations  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Notify designations of categories A, B 
and/or C  
• May notify indicative implementation dates 
for category B designations  
22 February  Donor Members  • Provide information on arrangements 
entered with developing Members on TACB 
for category C designations  
2019  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide TACB requirement for category C 
designations  
22 August  Developing Members  • Provide definitive implementation dates for 
category C designations  
• Inform of progress in TACB provision for 
category C designations  
22 August  Donor Members  • Inform of progress in TACB provision for 
category C designations of developing 
Members  
2020  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide definitive dates for category B 
designations  
2021  
22 February  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide indicative dates for category C 
designations  
• Provide information on arrangements 
entered with Donors on TACB for category 
C designations  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  22 February  Donor Members  • Provide information on arrangements 
entered with LDC Members on TACB for 
category C designations  
2022  
22 August  Least -developed  country Members  • Provide definitive dates for category C 
designations  
• Inform of progress in TACB provision for 
category C designations  
22 August  Donor Members  • Inform of progress in TACB provision for 
category C designations of LDC  Member s 
   
3.1.2   Status of Notifications under Articles 15 and 16  
3.2.  During the review period, a total of 125 Members - 90 developing Members and 35 least 
developed country Members - notified their cate gory A B C designations. Out of the 125 Members, 
approximately 95% presented all of their category designations, approximately 2% presented some 
category designations while approximately 4% have not presented any designations. Table  5 
provides a breakdown of the numbers between developing Members and least developed country 
Members.  
Table 5: Category A B C Designations  
ABC Designations  Overall  Developing  Members  LDC Member s 
Notification Timeline  22/02/2017  22/02/2018  
Number of developing 
and LDC Members  125 90 35 
Members that have 
presented ALL 
designations  119 95% 878 97% 329 91% 
Members that have NOT 
presented ANY 
designations  4 4% 110 2% 311 9% 
Members that have 
presented SOME 
designations  2 2% 212 2% 0 0% 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of 19-21 October 2021 . 
3.3.  Table  6 provides detailed information regarding the approximately 4% of Members that have 
not presented any category designations. The data reflects notifications of both indicative and 
definitive dates of implementation for categories B and C that remain outstanding as of 
31 October  2021.  
 
8 Albania; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Armenia; Kingdom of Bahrain; Barbados; Belize; 
Plurinational State of Bolivia; Botswana; Brazil; Br unei Darussalam; Cabo Verde; Cameroon; Chile; China; 
Colombia; Congo; Costa Rica; Cote d'Ivoire; Cuba; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; El 
Salvador; Kingdom of Eswatini; Fiji; Gabon; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; 
Hong Kong, China; India; Indonesia; Israel; Jamaica; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Republic of Korea; Kyrgyz 
Republic; Macao, China; Malaysia; Maldives; Mauritius; Mexico; Republic of Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; 
Morocco; Namibia; Nicaragua; Nigeria; North Macedo nia; Oman; Pakistan; Panama; Papua New Guinea; 
Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Seychelles; Singapore; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Suriname; The Separate Customs  
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Tajikistan; Thailand; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tunisia; 
Turkey; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; Uruguay; Vanuatu; Viet Nam; Zimbabwe.  
9 Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodi a, Central African Republic, 
Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, The Gambia, Guinea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, 
Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, 
Senegal, Sierra Leone, S olomon Islands, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia . 
10 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela . 
11 Guinea -Bissau, Haiti, Yemen . 
12 The State of Kuwait, Qatar . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 16 - 
 
  Table  6: Notifications and expired deadlines under Articles 15 and 16  
Notifications and 
expired deadlines  Developing Members  Least -developed  
country Members  Total Outstanding 
Notifications  
ABC Designations  22/02/2017  22/02/2018  6 
3 3 
Category B indicative 
dates   22/02/2018  1 
1 
Category B definitive 
dates  22/02/2018  22/02/2020  8 
1 2 
Extension agreed to 
21/02/2021   5 
Category C indicative 
dates  22/08/2019   2 
2  
Category C definitive 
dates  22/02/2021  N/A13 3 
3  
Category C TA 
requirements  22/02/2017  22/02/2019  10 
4 6 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of  19-21 October 2021 . 
Table  7: Forthcoming Notification Deadline under Article 16  
Notification  Deadline  Membe rs Notifications received 
by 31 Oct 2021  
Category C definitive 
dates  22/08/2022  Least -developed  country 
Members  814 
Source : Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of 19-21 October 2021 . 
3.4.  During the period under review, much of the Committee's work was focused on the receipt of 
notifications submitted by Members un der those two Articles.  
Proposed textual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Under the para 3.2, it would be appreciated if a summary of constraints and achievements of LDC  
Members  could be incorporated in the draft for a general understanding on the issues and 
challenges faced and lessons of what has worked to resolve challenges. The section could 
commence with the following drawn from our submission for the review G/TFA/W/58.  
Insert the following text:  
"The LDC Group has reported challenges and achievements so far in G/TFA/W/58 based on an 
internal survey that it devised and conducted. Based on the information received so far and 
information from the WTO Secretariat, most LDC  Membe rs completed notification obligations. In 
many cases, LDC  Members  are doing better than what was expected in terms of notifications. 
However, there are a number of LDC  Members  that require extensions of time as indicated in 
paragraph 3.7 of the factual rep ort. However, effective implementation of all the measures notified 
under the category C measures by the LDC  Members  is important but challenging. Therefore, 
additional support from donor Members is desired in the areas of implementation of the measures 
identified under category C. The gaps in technical and financial support still exist.  
Initial problems were found in understanding the Agreement, which impacted the categorization 
process, the establishment of the National Trade Facilitation Committee, as we ll as involvement 
of various relevant departments responsible for the corresponding provisions. Assistance from 
various institutions and partners as well as the organization of the regular session on technical 
assistance and capacity building mechanism hel ped Members to overcome these challenges. 
Moreover, for some, the process of gradually adapting the laws and procedures also contributed 
to understanding of the agreement. Provisions most difficult or easier to implement so far varied 
among Members but som e provisions were common to a number of Members. Staff training and 
capacity building remain imperative for sustained implementation. Continuous reform and 
modernization of customs administration, and cooperation among all stakeholders were also 
highlighte d. For the support received by those who submitted responses, it is clear that different 
 
13 Deadline for notification of category C definitive dates for Least -developed  country Members is 
22 August 202 2. 
14 Angola, Benin, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia. 
Central  African Republic has notified some category C definitive dates.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 17 - 
 
  institutional and bilateral assistance were helpful. Methods used by some LDC Members to resolve 
difficulties included workshops, interactions, and regular monitoring.  
Turning to the perceptions of LDC  Member  traders on the impact of the TFA, indeed improvements 
were cited in transparency of measures, automation, streamlined procedures, and cooperation 
among actors in the supply chain; operationalization of single windo w; and 24/7 operation of port 
services were also commended. On the other hand, LDC  Member  traders also noted some 
difficulties while interacting with some relevant agencies in trade facilitation, which had not yet 
joined the single window. Similarly, SPS a nd TBT standards in markets abroad remained 
problematic; infrastructure problems such as condition of roads, ICT infrastructure, trade logistics, 
and transit problems, among others were also mentioned as constraints. Some desired 
improvements cited by LDC  Member s included:  
• The facilitation of LDC Member exports into other markets, transparency of rules in those 
markets, and the release of those goods in the destination markets are needed.  
• Problems are still faced in transit cases where Article 11.2 is yet t o be observed and challenges 
remain on the release of LDC Member goods in other markets.  
• Reduction of non -tariff barriers including more transparent and supportive SPS and TBT 
measures of trading partners are expected.  
• Capacity constraints, technology constraints, and limited awareness, among others are 
hindering implementation of TFA in most LDC  Members . 
• The gaps in assistance are now much concentrated to implementation of category C provisions.  
• Effective implementation of those category C m easures has a strong connection with 
significant additional support from development partners in terms of resource, technological, 
institutional and human capacity building.  
• In this context, donor Members are encouraged to extend additional support in impl ementation 
of category C provisions in the LDC  Member s mainly based on the technical assistance 
requirement notification and consultations in respective capitals.  
• Additionally, landlocked least-developed country Members  have further difficulties, especiall y 
within their territory, to develop and maintain sufficient trade infrastructure including ICT 
infrastructure.  
• Trade facilitation for LDC Members requires bridging a huge digital gap and the connection of 
the entire domestic business with an ICT system an d e-commerce and then linked with the 
cross-border trade."  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.5 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.5.  Chart 5 shows the number of notifications submitted by Members under Articles 15 and 16 
over the period from 2014 to 2021. The data indicates that the highest number of notifications 
containing this information was received in 2018 and 2019. This would reflect the notification 
timeline contained in Table 4 which shows that both 2018 and 2019 each contained three notification 
deadlines, which was more than in any other year of the notification timeline. During the period 
under review, all but two Members15 submitted their definitive dates for implementation of category 
B desi gnations and C designations.  
Chart 5: Category A, B and C notifications per year  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
15 Djibouti and Mauritania.  52
25 2676145160
74
39
020406080100120140160180
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Total Category A Category B Category CG/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 18 - 
 
  3.6.  In accordance with the flexibilities under Section II , each of the approximately 36 measures 
within the 12 articles of Section I of the Agreement can be categorized. Analyzing the notification 
data in more detail shows the percentage breakdown of TFA provisions by category. According to 
the notifications, ju st over 50% of the measures were designated in category A; 18 % of the TFA 
measures were designated in category B and over 27 % of measures were designated in category C.  
See Chart 6 below.  
3.7.  The notification data can also be  disaggregated by Member  groupings  which allows for a clearer 
picture to emerge as to how categorization breaks down within different groupings. For example,  
Chart 7 indicates that developing Members  have a greater share of provisions in category A 
compared to LDC Members , while LDC Member s have assigned more provisions in category C  
compared to developing countries . Developing Members have a substantially greater number of 
provisions in category A compared to categories B  and C, while LDC Members have a greater number 
of provisions in category C compared to categories A and B.  
Chart 6: Share of Categories, A, B, C  
Based on % of all notifiable article items  Chart 7: Share of Categories, A, B, C by 
grouping  
Based on % of all notifiable article items  
  
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
3.1.3   Rate of implementation commitments  
3.8.  Based on the implementation commitment notifications, it is possible to see the rate of 
implementation commitments, as well as the varying rate of implementation commitments across 
provisions at the end of the four -year review period.  
3.9.  Compiling all the no tification information regarding A, B and C categorization by Members, the 
data indicates that, across the WTO membership, the five measures with the highest rate of 
implementation commitments are: pre -shipment inspection (Article 10.5); movement of goods 
(Article 9); detention (Article 5.2); use of customs brokers (Article 10.6); and, and temporary 
admission of goods (article 10.9). See Chart 8. The data shows that for the most part, the measures 
with the current highest rate of implementation commitments also have the greatest categorization 
of the provision in A.  
3.10.   On the other hand, the five measures with the lowest rate of implementation commitments 
are: risk management (Article 7.4); border agency cooperation (Article 8); test procedures (Article 
5.3); authorized operators (Article 7.7); and the single window (Article 10.4) See Chart 9. According 
to the notified implementation data, the bottom five measures have the greatest categorization of 
the provision in C.  
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 19 - 
 
  Chart 8: Top five measures with highest 
rate of implementation commitments  Chart 9: Bottom five measures with 
lowest rate of implementation 
commitments  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
3.11.   In order to provide a picture of the rate of implementation commitments of the TFA at the 
end of the first four -year review of the Agreement, the following three charts provide a breakdown 
of the rate of implementation commitments by Members for all measur es. is provided in the following 
charts.  
3.12.   Chart 10 shows the current rate of implementation commitments of developing and LDC 
Members according to categorization of each measure. This chart expands on charts 8 and 9 above.  
3.13.   Chart 11 focuses on the current rate of implementation commitments by measures for 
developing Members only. The chart reflects a very slight variation in the five measures with the 
highest and lowest rates of implementation commitments.  
3.14.   Chart 12 shows the current rate of implementation c ommitments by measure for LDC 
Members. Additional detailed information regarding the implementation of the TFA by LDC Members 
is contained in Section 6 of this report.  
  
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 20 - 
 
  Chart 10: Current rate of implementation commitments by measure (Developing and LDC 
Members)  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Chart 11: Current rate of implementation commitments by measure (Developing 
Members)  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 22 - 
 
  Chart 12. Current rate of implementation commitments by measure (LDC Members)  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 23 - 
 
  3.1.4   Requests for extension of the deadline for the notification of definitive dates for 
category B measures by LDC Members  
3.15.   In 2020, nine LDC Members notified requests for an extension of the deadline for the  
notification of definitive dates for category B measures.16 Between 13 to 22 February 2020, seven 
LDC Members requested an extension. The Committee met on 20 February 2020 in order to make a 
decision before the 22 February 2020 deadline. Subsequently, the  Committee received two further 
notifications of requests for extension on 21 February 2020 and the Committee held a second 
meeting on 28  February.17 The Committee agreed to all nine requests for an extension of the 
deadline.18 As of 31 October 2021, two o f the nine requesting Members have not notified their 
definitive dates for category B measures .19 
3.16.   The notification data for 2020 includes the requests for an extension.  
3.1.5   Notifications on technical  assistance and capacity building support for category C 
designations  
3.17.   Article 16 requires that Members provide three notifications regarding technical assistance 
and capacity building (TACB) for category C designations: notification by Members of TACB 
requirements for implementation of their category C designations;  notification of information on 
arrangements entered into with Donors; and notification of progress in TACB provision.  
3.18.   Over the review period, a total of 85 Members notified the TACB support that was required in 
order to implement their category C designat ions, while three Members made partial notifications of 
their TACB needs. The notified TACB needs were broken down into seven broad headings: 
awareness -raising; diagnostic and needs assessment; human resources and training; information 
and communication te chnologies; infrastructure and equipment; institutional procedures, and 
legislative and regulatory framework.  Explanations of the categories are provided on the  Technical 
assistance page  of TFA Database Website.  
3.19.   Of the 88 notifications received, 61 notifications were received from developing Members. A 
breakdown of those notifications indicated that the top three needs identified by developing Members 
were with respect to (1) human resources and training; (2) assistance in amending laws or 
regulations or implementing new ones; and (3) information and communication technolo gies (ICTs). 
See Chart  13. 
Chart 13:  Type of technical assistance required  by Developing Members  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
 
16 LDC Members may request the Committee to grant an extension of the deadline to submit its 
definitive dates for category B under article 16:2 (b) of the TFA.  
17 The meetings of 20 and 28 February were convened under Rule 2 of the Rules of Procedure for 
meetings of the General Council, which through its own rules of procedure, apply mutatis mutandis to the TFC.  
18 Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Lao PDR, Mauritania, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Solomon 
Islands.  
19 Djibouti and Mauritania . 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 24 - 
 
  3.20.   Twenty -seven LDC Members notified t heir TACB needs. The breakdown of their needs closely 
resembles that of developing Members with the major difference being the greater significance of 
"to be determined". Further details regarding the TACB needs of LDCs are to be found in Section 6 
"Least developed country Members" of this report.  
Chart 14:  Type of technical assistance required  by least developed Members  
 
 
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
Proposed te xtual edit to the factual report from the Least  Developed Countries  
Chart 8 represents the type of technical assistance required based on the notifications. It would 
be appreciated if LDC  Member  specific information could also be presented in this Chart.  
G/TFA/W/59/ Rev.1 , para. 2.7 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
3.21.   Over the review period, notifications of information on arrangements entered into with donors 
plus notifications on progress made on TACB comprised six notifications from developing Members  
and 11 notifications from least-developed  country Members. See Tab le 8.  
3.22.   Not all members with category C commitments have notified aid received and/or identified 
gaps in capacity building needed to implement their category C commitments.  
3.23.   In accordance with Article 16, donors are also required to submit a notification on  
arrangements and progress made with regard to TACB . There have been no notifications received 
from donor Members  during the period under review . 
Table  8: Number of donor arrangements and progress notifications received per year, 
per groupin g 
Years  Developing Members  Least  Developed Country  
Members  
2019 1 1 
2020 4 1 
2021 1 9 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
3.1.6   Notifications under Article 17  
3.24.   In 2019, the Committee received four requests for the extension of definitive dates for 
implementation of category B and C commitments under Article 17 of the TFA ("Early Warning 
Mechanism"). One request20 did not exceed 18 months. In line with Article  17.2 of the TFA, the 
 
20 Belize (G/TFA/N/BLZ/1/Add.1  and Corr.1 ).  
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 25 - 
 
  requested extension was therefore automatically granted without any further action by the 
Committee.  
3.25.   Three requests21 were for an extension of implementation dates exceeding 18  months. Th ese 
requests were considered by the Committee, as indicated in Article 17.4, and granted.  
3.26.   In 2020, the Committee received six requests for an extension of definitive dates for 
implementation of category B and C commitments . Requests submitted by four Membe rs22 did not 
exceed 18 months. In line with Article  17.2 of the TFA, the requested extensions were therefore 
automatically granted without any further action by the Committee.  
3.27.   Requests from two Members23 for an extension to their implementation dates were submitted 
after the deadline set out in Article 17.1 of the TFA, which requires requests to be notified to the 
Committee no later than 120 days for developing Members  and 90 days for least-developed  countr y 
Members  before the expiration of the previously n otified implementation date. There was no 
consensus in the Committee to approve the requests . In order to avoid repetition of such situations, 
the Committee was of the view that a tool such as the document G/TFA/INF/1  provided  by the WTO 
Secretariat was of added value.  
3.28.   In 2021 , the Committee received 13 requests for an extension of definitive dates for 
implementation of category B and C commitments. Eight24 did not exceed 18 months. In line with 
Article  17.2 of the TFA, the requested extensions were therefore automatically granted without any 
further action by the Committee. One request from a Member25 was for an extension of its 
implementation date exceedin g 18 months. There were no objections from the Committee to this 
request.  
3.29.   In addition, the Committee reviewed four  requests from Members26 which did not adhere to 
the deadline set out in Article 17.1 . There was no consensus in the Committee to approve the 
requests.  
Table  9: Status of notifications under Article 17 – Extension of Implementation Dates  
Extension of 
Implementation Dates  Overall Membership  Developing Member s Least -Developed 
Country Member  
Number of Members that 
have requested 
extension of time of 
already notified 
definitive dates  21 21 - 
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
with extended definitive 
dates  5 5 - 
Number of extension 
requests received per 
measure  71 71 - 
Number of extension 
requests applied per 
measures  33 33 - 
 
21Jamaica (G/TFA/N/JAM/1/Add.2 ), Kyrgyz Republic  (G/TFA/N/KGZ/2/Add.1  and Corr.1 ), Samoa  
(G/TFA/N/WSM/1/Add.1 ). 
22 Nicaragua ( G/TFA/N/NIC/1/Add.2 ), Pakistan ( G/TFA/N/PAK/1/Add.3 ), the Philippines 
(G/TFA/N/PHL/1/Add.1 ) and St. Kitts and Nevis  (G/TFA/N/KNA/1/Add.1 ). 
23 Bahrain ( G/TFA/N/BHR/1/Add .1) and Samoa ( G/TFA/N/WSM/1/Add.2 ). 
24 Botswana ( G/TFA/N/BWA/1/Add.2 ), Dominican Republic ( G/TFA/N/DOM/1/Add.2 ), Ecuador 
(G/TFA/N/ECU/1/Add.3 ), Maldives ( G/TFA/N/MDV/3/Add.1 ), Namibia ( G/TFA/N/NAM/1/Add.1 ), Saint Lucia 
(G/TFA/N/LCA/1/Add.2 ), Sri Lanka  (G/TFA/N/LKA/1/Add.2 ), and the United Arab Emirates 
(G/TFA/N/ARE/1/Add.1 ).  
25 Mongolia ( G/TFA/N/MNG/1/Add.1 ). 
26 Belize ( G/TFA/N/BLZ/1/Add.2 ), Peru ( G/TFA/N/PER/1/Add.1 ), Tonga ( G/TFA/N/TON/1/Add.3 ) and 
Ukraine ( G/TFA/N/UKR/1/Add.3 ). G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 26 - 
 
  Extension of 
Implementation Dates  Overall Membership  Developing Member s Least -Developed 
Country Member  
Number of extension 
requests not applied per 
measure  21 21 - 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( https://tfadatabase.org/notifications/extension -of-
implementation -dates ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of 19-21 October 202 1. 
3.30.   A document tracking implementation dates from 1 May 2021 to 31 December 2022 was 
circulated in document G/TFA/INF/1  as a reminder to  Members  of upcoming implementation dates. 
This document will be updated on a n annual  basis until all notified implementation dates have 
passed.  
3.1.7   Notifications under Article  19 of the TFA  
Table  10: Sta tus of Notifications Under Article 19 - Shifting of categories  
Category Shifts  Overall Membership  Developing Member s Least -Developed 
Country Member  
Members  
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
from B to C  17 7 10 
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
from C to B 19 14 5 
Number of Members that 
have shifted categories 
with extended definitive 
dates  5 5 0 
Measures  
Number of measures 
shifted between 
categories  95 55 40 
Number of measures 
shifted from B to C 38 16 22 
Number of measures 
shifted from C to B  57 39 18 
Number of measures 
shifted with extended 
definitive dates  11 11 0 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( https://tfadatabase.org/category -shifts ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of 19-21 October 2021 . 
 
3.1.8   Notifications  under Article 22 of the TFA  
3.31.   Article 22.1 and 2 2.2 of the TFA require donor Members to notify information regarding their 
technical assistance arrangements and the process and mechanisms to receive assistance. 
Article  22.3 requires beneficiary Members to notify contact details with regard to technical 
assistance.  
3.32.   Over the period of the review, 17 donor Members submitted 46 notifications under Articles 
22.1 and 22.2. Fifty-one developing and LDC Members submitted  61 notifications under Article 22.3.  
Further details can be found on the Trade Facilitation Agreement Database . 
Table 11: Status of Notifications on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building under 
Article 22  
Article 22.1  Article 22.2  Article 22.3  
Notification of support for capacity 
building disbursed by Donor 
Members  Notification of process and 
mechanisms to obtain assistance 
from Donor Members  Notification of Contact points by 
Developing and Least -developed 
country Memb ers 
17 11 51 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 27 - 
 
  Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
Note:  Information from the Secretariat report to the TFC during the meeting of 19-21 October 2021 . 
3.2  Experience sharing exercise/thematic discussions  
3.33.   Over the period of the review, 31 Members have shared their experiences or made statements 
on matters under Sectio n II relating to implementation of the TFA and/or issues concerning capacity 
building. These Members are Afghanistan; Brazil; Cambodia; China; Colombia; Costa Rica; Egypt; 
El Salvador; Eswatini; European Union; Finland; Germany; Guatemala; Jamaica; Japan; Lao PDR; 
Moldova; Mongolia; Nepal; Netherlands; North Macedonia; Paraguay; Rwanda; Saint  Lucia; Saint 
Vincent and the Grenadines; Spain; Sweden; United Kingdom; United States; Viet  Nam and Zambia.  
3.34.   Over the review period, a number of Annex D+ partner organi zations regularly updated the 
Committee at its meetings of their work to support implementation of the Agreement by Members. 
In 202027 and in 202128 they provided their updates in a written report.  
3.35.   In addition, the GATF also made a number of presentations on their initiatives relative to TFA 
implementation at the meetings of 12 -13 February 2019; 25 June 2019; 20 -22 October 2020 ; 
22-23 April 2021 ; and 19-21 October 202 1. The presentations made by Annex D+ partner 
organizations are listed in Annex 2, Table  2. 
3.3  Article 21:4: Dedicated Sessions  on Technical Assistance and Capacity Building  
3.36.   Article 21.4 of the TFA provides that the Committee shall hold at least one dedicated session 
per year to: (a) discuss any problems regarding implementation of provisions of th e TFA; (b) review 
progress in the provision of assistance and support for capacity building to support the 
implementation of the TFA, including any developing or LDC Members not receiving adequate 
assistance and support for capacity building; (c) share exp eriences and information on ongoing 
assistance and support for capacity building and implementation programs, including challenges and 
successes; (d) review donor notifications as set forth in Article 22 of the TFA; and (e) review the 
operation of Article 21 of the TFA.  
3.37.   During the period under review four annual dedicated sessions have taken place. 
(See Table  12 for a list of presentations and statements made during these sessions, where 
available.) The first dedicated session was held on 3 May 2018. The United States delivered 
presentations in connection with the subject matter under Article 21.4(a) and (b) of t he TFA. With 
regard to Article  21.4(c) of the TFA, presentations and other contributions were made by Colombia; 
the European Union (including interventions by Germany, Ireland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom 
on their bilateral programmes); the United State s; and Viet Nam. Finally, Australia presented a 
donor notification as referenced under Article 21.4(d), and the United States intervened with respect 
to support for LDC Members as referenced under Article 21.4(e) of the TFA.  
3.38.   A second dedicated session was held on 16 October 2019. Following the structure of 
Article  21.4 of the TFA, the Chair organized the session by first inviting exchanges on any 
implementation problems, a review of progress in the provisions of assistance and support for 
capacity building,  and the sharing of experiences and information on ongoing assistance and support 
for capacity building and implementation programs. With regard to these issues, the following 
Members made presentations or shared certain information: Bangladesh, Bolivia, C ote d'Ivoire, 
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Lao PDR, Mauritius, Nigeria, 
Paraguay, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, 
Uruguay, and Zambia. In addition, Jamaica made a presentation on behalf of CARICOM, and Nepal 
intervened on behalf of the LDC Group.  
 
3.39.   Presentations pertaining to the review of donor notifications as set forth in Article 22 of 
the TFA were made by the European Union (including interventions by  Finland, the Netherlands, 
Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom on their bilateral programmes). At the invitation of the 
European Union , the Committee also heard a contribution from the WCO.  
 
27 G/TFA/W/29 . 
28 G/TFA/W/39  and G/TFA/W/67 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 28 - 
 
  3.40.   Summaries of these presentations can be found in the minutes for the 16 Oc tober 2019 
meeting as set out at pages 27 -45 of G/TFA/M/9 .29 
3.41.   The third dedicated session was held on 22 October 2020. As during the second session, 
Commi ttee Members were invited to exchange on several matters listed under Article 21.4 of 
the TFA, including any implementation problems, a review of progress in the provisions of assistance 
and support for capacity building, and the sharing of experiences and  information on ongoing 
assistance and support for capacity building and implementation programs. With regard to these 
issues, the following Members made presentations or shared certain information: Canada; China; 
Ecuador; Eswatini; the European Union; (in cluding interventions by Finland; France; the 
Netherlands; Sweden on their bilateral programmes); Japan; Paraguay; and the United Kingdom. A 
presentation was also made by Saint Lucia on behalf of the  OECS.  
3.42.   Summaries of these presentations and contributions  are provided in greater detail in the 
minutes for the 22 October 2020 meeting as set out at pages 27 -39 of G/TFA/M/13 .  
3.43.   Donor notifications under Article 22 of the TFA from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United 
States were covered in the regular meeting of the Committee.30 "Recent and upcoming activities ", 
usually a standing item on the agenda of the regular Committee meetings, was covered in the  
dedicated session. T he Committee heard statements from Brazil, Nepal (on behalf of the LDC Group), 
the United  States, as well as a presentation by GATF, as set out in pages 39 -42 of G/TFA/M/13 . 
3.44.   The fourth dedicated session was held on 21 October 2021. During this session, Cambodia, 
the EU Commission plus four Member States (Finland, France, Netherlands and Sweden), Japan, and 
the UK, all took the floor. They were followed by the Annex D + partner organizations - Global Alliance 
for Trade Facilitation, ITC, OECD, World Bank Group, WCO, and UNTAD – who reported on their work 
to support Members in their implementation of the TFA .31 
Table 1 2: Presentations by Members under the Dedicated Sessions  
Member  Title Committee 
meeting  Document 
Symbol  
Cambodia  Implementation of category C provisions and 
the technical assistance and financial 
assistance needed  19-21 October 2021   
European Union  Statement by the European Union  15-16 October 2019   
Statement by the European Union  20-22 October 2020   
Statement by the European Union  19-21 October 2021   
Eswatini, 
Kingdom of  Trade Facilitation Programme and Trade 
Facilitation Information Portal ETIP  20-22 October 2020   
Finland  Finland statement  20-22 October 2020   
Finland statement  19-21 October 2021   
France  France statement  20-22 October 2020   
France statement  19-21 October 2021   
Germany  Ongoing Assistance and Support - Germany  2-3 May 2018   
Jamaica  CARICOMs implementation experience 
Jamaica on behalf of CARICOM  15-16 October 2019   
Japan  Japan statement  19-21 October 2021   
Lao People's 
Democratic 
Republic  Trade Facilitation in Lao - key achievements 
and challenges  15-16 October 2019   
Netherlands, 
The The Netherlands statement  
The Netherlands statement  
Trade Facilitation, Digitalization and The 
Netherlands Trust Fund  20-22 October 2020  
19-21 October 2021  
19-21 October 2021   
Saint Lucia  OECS report  20-22 October 2020   
Saint Vincent 
and the 
Grenadines  Presentation by Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines on Trade Facilitation  15-16 Octob er 2019   
 
29 No presentatio ns were made pertaining to the review and operation of Article 21:2 of the TFA.  
30 G/TFA/M/13 , pp. 15 -16. No presentations were made pertaining to the review and operation of 
Article  21:2 of the TFA.  
31 All presentations and statements are to be found on the WTO TFA database . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 29 - 
 
  Member  Title Committee 
meeting  Document 
Symbol  
Spain  Technical assistance from Spain in the 
framework of the WCO MERCATOR 
Programme  15-16 October 2019   
Sweden  Ongoing Assistance and Support - Sweden  2-3 May 2018   
Sweden statement  20-22 October 2020   
Sweden statement  19-21 October 2021   
United Kingdom  Trade Facilitation UK Statement  15-16 October 2019   
UK Statement  19-21 October 2021   
United States  Trade Facilitation Agreement Notifications as 
Tools for Demand Driven Assistance 
Conversations  2-3 May 2018   
United States Approach to Trade Facilitation 
Assistance   
United States Department of Agriculture 
Trade Facilitation Agreement Related 
Technical Assistance  
Commercial Law Development Program – 
Contribution By The United States   
Article 16   G/TFA/W/15  
United States/  
Viet Nam Project Support for TFA implementation in 
Vietnam  2-3 May 2018   
Zambia  Support from cooperating partners and 
Zambia's achievements in the implementation 
of the TFA  15-16 October 2019   
 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION II OF THE TFA  UNDER CONSIDERATION BY 
THE C OMMITTEE ON TRADE FACILITATION  
3.45.   The proposals under this section were submitted by Members during the first review of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement.  At the time of concluding the review, c onsensus had not yet been 
reached by the Committee on the proposals included in this section. To allow for further consideration 
and possible adoption of these proposals by the Committee, Section 8 of this report includes a 
decision that an agenda item be added to the Trade Facilitation Committee agenda entitled "Follow -
up to the four -year review".  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 30 - 
 
  Proposal from Japan and the European Union  
We would like to propose the following two ideas for consideration in the Committee during the 
Review.  
First, in order to provide support for Members to better manage their implementation plans, we 
propose that the Committee review the effectiveness of the list of definitive dates prepared by 
the WTO secretariat (G/TFA/INF/1) on a regular basis. The list aims to remi nd Members of their 
own definitive dates for category B and C so that those Members who face difficulties in 
implementing category B or C provisions can take appropriate actions as stipulated in Articles 
17, 18 and 19 of the TFA. It is expected that the Co mmittee could improve the list and the 
methods for circulating the list by reflecting feedback from Members in order for the list to further 
contribute to this purpose. We believe this would promote better self -management by Members 
of their own implementa tion status and allow adequate monitoring by the TFC.  
Second, we propose that the Committee recommend the following practice for Members whose 
implementation dates have passed for their category B or C provisions. That is, on a voluntary 
basis and for info rmational purposes only, to: (i) confirm the passing of implementation dates 
in any form or reporting (orally or in writing); and/or (ii) share their implementation experiences 
with the Committee while explicitly mentioning the provision they have implemen ted. Category 
B and Category C provisions shall be implemented on the definitive dates as notified by Members 
as per Article 16.5 of the Agreement. The Committee could encourage those Members who have 
implemented category B provisions in particular to take  the actions above. It should be noted 
that this proposal never intends to modify the Members’ obligations under the TFA.  
In order to make these two proposals above effective and practical, we propose to set a new 
standing agenda item "Status of Definitive  Date Implementation " after the existing agenda item 
"Status of Notifications and Ratifications ". Under the new standing agenda item, Members can 
review the effectiveness of the list of definitive dates based on the report by the Secretariat and 
voluntary interventions by Members, if any, highlighting implementation of provisions.  
 
Comment : See "Recommendations and Decisions" section.  
G/TFA/W/46/Rev.2  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
4  SECTION III OF THE TFA 
A  FACTUAL INFORMATION  
4.1  Ratifications32 
4.1.  During the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 October 2021, 154 Members ratified the 
Amendment Protocol to modi fy the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization 
and deposited their instruments of acceptance. As of 31 October 2021 , nine Members are yet to 
deposit their instruments of acceptance. See Chart 15. 
 
32 While the issue of rat ification is not included in Section III of the TFA, this information has been 
included for the interest of Members.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 31 - 
 
  Chart 15: Number of ratifications per year 
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
4.2  Article 23 Institutional Arrangements  
4.2.1   Article 23.1 Committee  on Trade Facilitation  
4.2.  Following the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement on 22 February 2017, a 
Committee on Trade Facilitation was established in line with Article 23.1 of the Agreement.  
4.3.  At a meeting on 7 April 2017, the General Council (GC) took note of a statement by the Chair 
of the General Coun cil, informing delegations of the consensus on the appointment of Ambassador 
Daniel Blockert from Sweden as Chairperson of the TFC.  
4.4.  On 16 May 2017, the TFC held its inaugural session. The sole agenda item was the confirmation 
of the Chairperson -designate. Members formally elected Ambassador Blockert (Sweden) as the first 
TFC Chair. Ambassador Blockert announced his intention to consult delegations on the Committee's 
rules of procedure and the organization of work. The TFC held two further meetings in 2017: on 
19 July and 3 November.  
4.5.  In 2018, the TFC held three formal meetings: on 2 to 3 May ( G/TFA/M/4 ); on 26 June 
(G/TFA/M/5 ); and on 9 to 11 October ( G/TFA/M/6 ). The meeting of 2 and 3 May was chaired by 
Ambassador Daniel Blockert (Sweden) and the remaining meetings were chaired by his successor, 
Ambassador Dalia Kadišiene (Lithuania), who was elected at the May meeting as Chair of the 
Committee for 2018.  
4.6.  In 2019, the TFC held three formal meetings: on 12 to  13 February ( G/TFA/M/7 ); on 25 to 
26 June ( G/TFA/ M/8); and 15 to 16 October ( G/TFA/M/9 ). The meeting of 12 and 13 February was 
chaired by Ambassador Dalia Kadišiene and the remaining meetings were chair ed by her successor 
Ambassador Mohammad Haqjo (Afghanistan) who was elected at the June meeting as Chair of the 
Committee for 2019.  
4.7.  In 2020, the TFC held four formal meetings: on 11 February ( G/TFA/M/10 ); on 20 February 
(G/TFA/M/11 ); on 28 February ( G/TFA/M/12 ) and on 20 to 22 October ( G/TFA/M/13 ). The TFC held 
an informal meeting on 30 September. The meetings of 11, 20 and 28 of February were chaired by 
Ambassador Mohammad HAQJO. The remaining meetings were chaired by his successor Ambassador 
Katrina NAUT (Dominican Republic) who was elected on 30 J uly as Chair of the Committee for 2020. 
Ambassador Naut resigned as Chairperson in December 2020.  
4.8.  In 2021, during the period under review, the TFC held six formal meetings: 29 January 2021 
(G/TFA/M/14 ); 22-23 March 2021 (G/TFA/M/15 ); 22-23 April 2021 (G/TFA/M/16 ); 22-23 June 2021 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 32 - 
 
  (G/TFA/M/17 )33, 27-28 July 2021 (G/TFA/M/18 )34, 19-21 October 2021 (G/TFA/M/19 )35.  The 
Committee held seven informal meetings during the year – 13 January, 26 February, 22 June, 
27 July, 22 September  and 13 October. The informal meetings from June to  October , inclusive,  were 
dedicated to the four -year review of the TFA. Following the departure of Ambassador Naut in 
December 2020, the TFC meeting of 29  January was chaired on an ad hoc  basis by the Chair of the 
Council for Trade in Goods (CTG), HE Mikael  Anzén (Sweden). Mr.  Christopher O'Toole (Canada) was 
then selected on 5 February 2021 as Interim Chair of the TFC through silent procedure. Mr O'Toole 
was subsequently elected Chairperson of the Committee for the year 2021 -2022 on 30 July 2021, 
through written procedures.  
Table 1 3: Trade Facilitation Committee Meetings and Minutes 2017 to 2021  
TFC Meeting  Minutes  
16 May 2017  G/TFA/M/1  
19 July 2017  G/TFA/M/2  
3 November 2017  G/TFA/M/3  
2-3 May 2018  G/TFA/M/4  
26 June 2018  G/TFA/M/5  
9-11 October 2018  G/TFA/M/6  
12-13 February 2019  G/TFA/M/7  
25-26 June 2019  G/TFA/M/8  
15-16 October 2019  G/TFA/M/9  
11 February 2020  G/TFA/M/10  
20 February  2020 G/TFA/M/11  
28 February 2020  G/TFA/M/12  
20-22 October 2020  G/TFA/M/13  
29 January 2021  G/TFA/M/14  
22-23 March 2021  G/TFA/M/15  
22-23 April 2021  G/TFA/M/16  
22-23 Jun e 2021  G/TFA/M/17  
27-28 July 2021  G/TFA/M/18  
19-21 October 2021  G/TFA/M/19  
 
4.2.2   Rules of procedure of the Committee on Trade Facilitation  
4.9.  At its meeting of 25 and 26 June 2019, Members finalized work on the Committee's rules of 
procedure and agreed to forward them to the Council for Trade in Goods for approval. At its meeting 
of 14 and 15 November 2019, the Council for Trade in Goods approved the Rules of Procedure for 
meetings of the Committee on Trade Facilitation36, consisting of the General Council' s Rules of 
Procedure37 applied mutatis mutandis  with agreed modifications.  
4.2.3   Annual reports by the Committee to the Council for Trade in Goods  
4.10.   According to the "Procedures for an annual overview of WTO Activities and for reporting under 
the WTO" ( WT/L/105 ), which were adopted by the General Council on 15 November 1995, all bodies 
constituted under Agreements in Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement are requ ired to submit an annual 
factual report to the Council for Trade in Goods, which is then to take note of these reports.  
4.11.   Accordingly, the Committee submitted annual reports to the Council for Trade in Goods 
from 2017 to 2021.38 
 
33 To be issued.  
34 To be issued.  
35 To be issued.  
36 G/C/M/1 36, item 4. The text of the Rules of Procedure can be found in G/L/1342. 
37 WT/L/161 . 
38 G/L/1201 ; G/L/1267 ; G/L/1329 ; G/L/1375 ; G/L/1416  and G/L/1416/Corr.1 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 33 - 
 
  4.2.4   Other  business  
Proposed textu al edit to the factual report from Ukraine  
Insert the following text:  
"At the Committee meeting of 12 -13 February 2019, Ukraine raised the concern regarding a new 
transit restriction imposed by the Russian Federation on 29 December 2018 by government 
resolution No. 1716 -83. In particular, Ukraine indicated that goods originating from Ukraine had 
been subjected by the Russian Federation to various import bans and transit restrictions for the 
last few years. The latest measures prohibited, inter alia , the imp ortation into the 
Russian  Federation of certain agricultural and industrial goods if such goods had been in transit 
through the territory of Ukraine. This meant that the measures also applied to products originating 
from other WTO Members. Ukraine consider ed such measure to be inconsistent with Article 11.4 
of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation, as well as with Article V:6 of the GATT. Ukraine urged the 
Russian  Federation to adhere to its commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement. "  
G/TFA/W/6 0 
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposed alternative approach by the Chair  
Over the review period, and in addition to administrative points raised by the Chair under this 
agenda item, five Members requested the addition of an item under other business:  
i. During the Committ ee meeting  of 2-3 May 2018, Uganda to report on the World Customs 
Organization's Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Conference that had taken place in 
March 2018;  
ii. During the Committee meeting  of 12-13 February 2019, Ukraine concerning a new transit 
restriction by the Russian Federation;  
iii. During the Committee meeting  of 11 February 2020, Mongolia concerning the importance 
of Article 11 - Freedom of Transit to it and to other landlocked developing Members of 
the WTO;  
iv. During the Committee meeting  of 11 February 2020, China to thank all Members who 
had provided support in its fight against the Coronavirus pandemic;  
v. During the Committee meeting  of 20-22 October 2020, Hong Kong, China concerning a 
revised origin marking requirement by the United States;  
vi. During the Committee meeting  of 26 -27 January 2021, the United States, on behalf of 
the co -sponsors of document G/TFA/W/25/Rev.2  to inform Members that Mexico and 
Thailand had joined the communication  as co-sponsors;  
vii. During the Committee meeting  of 3-4 March 2021, the United States to preview  a paper 
it would circulate for the next Trade Facilitation Committee meeting entitled, "Revisiting 
the Need for Global Action to Eliminate Consularization Requirements" 
(G/TFA/W/38/Rev.3 ); and  
viii. During the Committee meeting  of 22-23 June, the United States to invite all delegations 
and capit als to attend an upcoming webinar for a conversation with the U.S. private sector 
about its experiences with the Trade Facilitation Agreement during the pandemic.  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
4.2.5   Article 23.2 National Committee on Trade  Facilitation  
4.12.   Article 23.2 of the TFA requires each Member to establish and/or maintain a National 
Committee on Trade Facilitation (NCTF) or designate an existing mechanism to facilitate both 
domestic coordination an d implementation of the provisions of the TFA. Twenty -two Members have 
taken the opportunity to share with the Committee their experiences in both the development and 
operation of their NCTFs, either through oral presentations or written submissions.  
4.13.    At its meeting of 2 -3 May 2018, three Members shared their experience regarding the 
functioning of their NCTFs as follows. Brazil; Turkey; and the United States. At the Committee 
meeting of 9 -11 October 2018, the Dominican Republic reported on the progress of  its NCTF.  
4.14.   At its meeting of 12 -13 February 2019, five Members shared their experience with the 
establishment and operation of their NCTFs: Costa Rica; Pakistan; Paraguay; Thailand and Tonga. 
Sri Lanka made a presentation on the functioning of its NCTF at the meeting of 25 June 2019. At the 
meeting 15 -16 October 2019, five more Members reported on their NCTFs: Egypt; El Salvador; 
Norway; Montenegro; and Paraguay.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 34 - 
 
  4.15.   At its meeting of 11 February 2020, seven Members shared experiences with their NCTFs: 
Chile; C osta Rica; Ecuador; India; Mexico; Paraguay and Uruguay.  
4.16.   At its meeting of 19-21 October 2 021, Ecuador  shared its experience regarding its cooperation 
with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation to strengthen Ecuador's implementation of the TFA 
with j oint public -private partnership. Honduras shared its experience with their use of the Trade 
Facilitation Reform Tracker developed by UNCTAD.  
Table 1 4: Experience -sharing presentations and written submissions by Members 
regarding NCTFs  
Member/Presenter  Title Committee 
meeting  Document 
Symbol  
Brazil  National Committee on Trade Facilitation 
- CONFAC  2-3 May 2018   
Chile National Trade Facilitation Committee  (in 
Spanish)  11 February 2020    
Costa Rica  National Trade Facilitation Committee  (in 
Spanish)  12-13 February 2019   
Dominican Republic  Avances del Comité Nacional de 
Facilitación del Comercio  9-11 October 2018    
El Salvador  Advances in Trade Facilitation  (in 
Spanish)  15-16 October 2019   
Ecuador  National Trade Facilitation Committee - 
Video  11 February 2020    
Cooperation with the Global Alliance for 
Trade Facilitation to strengthen the 
implementation of the TFA with joint 
public -private partnership  19-21 October 2021   
Egypt Statement by Egypt  15-16 October 2019   
Honduras  The Trade Facilitation Reform Tracker - 
Presentation by Honduras  19-21 October 2021   
India National Committee on Trade Facilitation 
- India's Experience  
Summary of India's presentation  11 February 2020   
Montenegro  National Trade Facilitation Committe e - 
Montenegro  15-16 October 2019   
Norway  The National Trade Facilitation 
Committee of Norway  15-16 October 2019   
Pakistan  Pakistan - National Trade Facilitation 
Committee NCTF  12-13 February 2019   
Paraguay  National Trade Facilitation Committee in 
Spanish  12-13 February 2019   
National Committee on Trade Facilitation 
in Paraguay  15-16 October 2019   
Sri Lanka  Functioning of Sri Lanka's National Trade 
Facilitation Committee  25 June 2019   
Thailand  Thailand - National Committee on Trade 
Facilitation  12-13 February 2019   
Togo Togo's experience in French  12-13 February 2019   
Turkey  National Committee on Trade Facilitation 
- Experience of Turkey  2-3 May 2018   
United States  Structure and Role of the US National 
Trade Facilitation Committee  2-3 May 2018  G/TFA/W/5  
Communication from the United States 
regarding National Trade Facilitation 
Committees   G/TFA/W/19  
Proposal to update the WTO's 
Committee's Trade Facilitation meeting 
agenda as part of the four -year review of 
the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation 
Article 23.1.1.6   G/TFA/W/35  
Role of the Trade Faci litation Committee 
in the Trade Facilitation Agreement 
Facility   G/TFA/W/36  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  Member/Presenter  Title Committee 
meeting  Document 
Symbol  
Chile, Ecuador, 
Costa Rica, Mexico , 
Paraguay, Uruguay  Informe sobre el primer encuentro 
latinoamericano de los comités 
nacionales de facilitación del comercio - 
Montevideo Uruguay - Noviembre 2019  11 February 2020   
 
B  MEMBERS' PROPOSALS UNDER SECTION III OF THE TFA  UNDER CONSIDERATION BY 
THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE FACILITATION  
4.17.   The proposals under this section were submitted by Members during the first review of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement.  At the time of concluding the review, consensus had not yet been 
reached by the Committee on the proposals included in this section. To allow for further consideration 
and possible adoption of these proposals by the Committee, Section 8 of this report includes a 
decision that an ag enda item be added to the Trade Facilitation Committee agenda entitled "Follow -
up to the four -year review".  
Proposal from Brazil and the United States  
Proposal to formalize engagement with the private sector:  
5. […] that the Committee convene informally, virtually or in hybrid format, on the margins of 
formal Committee meetings to host discussions with and presentations from the private sector to 
facilitate direct feedback regarding on -the-ground implementation of the TFA. The private sector 
organizations may present how implementation of specific provisions of the TFA has improved the 
private sector experience or identify areas of remaining challenges.  
5bis. In order to encourage participation from a wide variety of businesses and diversity of 
organizations, geographic locations, and perspectives, the Committee may consider in 
operationalizing this proposal as follows:  
A. Rotate the geographical location of active participants shall rotate at each informal 
meeting, for example, Europe,  Central Asia, and Russia; Africa and the Middle East; Asia; 
and the Americas. Thus ensuring a focus on each region of the world;  
B. Allow for "silent -mode " participation of any interested private sector participant, outside 
the region in (A) in order to enco urage new business connections;  
C. Encourage Members, as appropriate, to draw participants from its National Trade 
Facilitation Committee; to that end, Members will be responsible for inviting and 
maintaining contact information for those participants;  
D. Encourage Members to put an emphasis on the participation of Micro, Small, and Medium -
sized Enterprises (MSMEs), including any organizations that represent their interests; and  
E. The Committee may choose to focus on a particular topic(s) of interest in a region in 
order to solicit direct comments and feedback, and repeat or vary topics, or include no 
particular focus on specific topics.  
6. The Committee may consider establishing a process to increase the efficiency of reviewing the 
many anticipated requests from the private sector to present at these informal sessions. We 
propose that any members of the private sector submit to the Secretariat requests to present on 
a topic of interest that relates to TFA implementation. Submissions would be accepted throughout 
the year, and Members should consider reviewing and accepting requests on a rolling basis. The 
Committee will then invite members of the private sector with an approved topic to present to 
Members on the margins of a formal Committee meeting.  
7. Further to t he objective of encouraging participation from a wide variety of businesses and 
diversity of organizations, geographic locations, and perspectives, the Secretariat shall:  
A. Maintain a registration sheet for participants to register to participate;  
B. Provide co nvening notices that can be broadly distributed to a diverse range of potential 
participants;  
C. Work with the IT staff to provide access to participants to those meetings for which they 
have been invited; and  
D. Provide, as possible, for meeting times that take  into account maximum participation of 
the participants of the particular geographical location.  
G/TFA/W/42  and G/TFA/W/42/Rev.1 , paras. 5.7  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
Proposal from the European Union (moved from page 13)  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  The EU suggests that when t he private sector comments on TFA implementation, that they are 
invited to inform, to the extent possible, whether the transparency notifications are sufficient, as 
these notifications aim primarily to help SMEs and traders to comply with their obligations . 
EU comment : The US Brazil proposal on business engagement is more comprehensive 
and would make this proposal less pertinent if  the US Brazil document 
G/TFA/W/42/Rev.1 were adopted.  
G/TFA/W/50 , para. 7  and G/TFA/W/65  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
 
5  REPORTS TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FACILITY AND 
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PLUS THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON TRADE FACILITATION ON 
THEIR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT MEMBERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TFA  
5.1.  The Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) provides regular reports on its activities to the 
Committee.39 These include updates on workshops and other events relating to trade facilitation 
matters orga nized with donors, partner organizations and representatives from the private sector. 
The Facility also reports on the grant program that offers project preparation and project 
implementation grants to assist Members in identifying and liaising with donors  and with the 
implementation of category C measures as a contingency when no other assistance has been 
identified. The Facility further provides annual workplans and reports on its activities. These 
documents and all other information relating to its grant  work, coordination  efforts with the Annex 
D+ partner organizations and all other activities can be found on the TFAF website.40 
5.2.  During the review period TFAF made seven presentations to the Committee. An information 
session was organized in the margins of  the Committee meeting of 25 -26 June 2019 on the 
operational and administrative structure of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF). 
The session provided information on the origins, structure and membership of the STDF, its 
management, and its  relationship with the WTO Secretariat. The STDF had been an important 
partner in developing the operational rules for the TFAF and the rules for the Facility grant program, 
which learned from the experience of the STDF. 41 
5.1  TFAF Operation  
5.3.  Since 2017, the Committee engaged in discussions to clarify the operational structure of the 
TFAF and intended interaction between the Committee, WTO Secretariat, and TFAF.42 At the 
Committee’s meeting of 9 -11 October 2018, the Committee considered an agenda item on t he 
administrative separation between the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility and the Committee on 
Trade Facilitation.43 At the Committee’s meeting of 25 -26 June 2019, the Committee requested TFAF 
address how it worked in line with the Paris and Busan pri nciples.44 
5.4.  The 2021 TFAF Workplan was circulated in advance of the Committee’s meeting of 20 -22 
October 2020. In response, Members raised concerns regarding TFAF grant program operation and 
representation of the Committee at international events.45 The US requested the TFAF continue to 
focus only on its grant programme, and not pursue other activities provided for in its operational 
guidelines including technical assistance, capacity -building and coordination with Annex D partner 
organizations.46 
5.5.  In 2021, t he Committee began discussions regarding TFAF guidelines which sought to further 
clarify who directs the activities and functions of TFAF as well as ensure transparency concerning 
proposed activities and grants. At the Committee meeting of 22 – 23 April 20 21, the United States 
 
39 See G/L/1201 , G/L/1267, G/L/1329 , and G/L/1375 . The most recent reports by the Facility to the 
Committee can be found at G/TFA/W/28  (20-21 October 2020 ), G/TFA/W/37  (22-23 April 2021)  ) and 
G/TFA/W/66  (19-21 October 2021).  
40 TFAF - Trade Fac ilitation Agreement Facility ( http://www.tfafacility.org ). 
41 G/TFA/M/8  
42 G/TFA/M/2  
43 G/TFA/M/6  
44 G/TFA/M/8  
45 G/TFA/M/13  
46 G/TFA/W/64  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  submitted a proposal calling for the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) to fall under the 
purview and direction of the TF Committee as a means to ensure that Committee oversight, direction, 
and responsibility will provide tr ansparency to the TFAF activities being undertaken, the funding of 
TFAF, and transparency to Member's assistance by TFAF.47 The Committee agreed at its meeting of 
22-23 April that the Chair would hold consultations in an effort to resolve the current morat orium 
on technical assistance elements of TFAF's activities.48 
5.6.  The Chair held eight49 rounds of consultations, four of which were open -ended format, and the 
remainder were small -group meetings. The participating Members including the US, came to an 
agreeme nt, endorsed by the Committee which will allow TFAF to continue technical assistance and 
capacity building activities for Members. As a result, an on -line assistance activity request form for 
submission to the TFAF, and enhancements to transparency through  a tracker dashboard were 
developed which offers Committee Members the ability to monitor the follow -up to these requests 
in real -time. In 2022, Committee Members will review the operation of this activity request system, 
consider possible improvements, an d return to its discussion on a form of guidance from the 
Committee to set out its relationship with the TFAF.  
5.7.  Annex D organizations (i.e., IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, WCO and WBG) are invited to and regularly 
attend Committee meetings. In addition, certain of the se organizations have made presentations to 
the Committee  regarding their work in the area of trade facilitation . The ITC made presentations at 
the meetings of 22 -23 June 2021 and 19 -21 October 2021; OECD made presentations at the  
meetings of 26 June 2018 and 19 -21 October 2021.   
5.8.  UNCTAD made presentations  during the meetings of 15 -16 October 2019 (including a 
presentation with Rwanda); 3 March 2021, 22 -23 June 2021 (including a presentation with Vanuatu), 
and 19 -21 October (including a presentation with Ho nduras). T he WBG made a presentation during 
the meeting of 19 -21 October 2021 and the WCO has share d information  during the meetings of 
11 February  2020, 26 -27 January 2021, 3 -4 March 2021 , 19-20 July  2021, and 19 -21 October 2021 .  
5.9.  In an informal session of the Committee held on 30 September 2020, UNCTAD, WCO and the 
WBG, along with the ITC, and GATF, each made presentations on matters relating to measures 
adopted in response to the COVID -19 situation.50 
5.10.   In addition, the Annex D+ partn er organizations provided report s that w ere circulated to the 
Committee in the context of the dedicated session s on technical assistance and capacity building 
that took place on 20 -22 October 202051 and 19 -21 October 202152. The Annex D partners and the 
ITC also provided a report to the Committee for the 22 -23 April 2021 meeting that , with respect to 
each organization , outlined their role in supporting implementation of the TFA, offered a brief 
description of upcoming assistance and activities, and describe d how Members could request 
assistance.53 
6  LEAST DEVELOPED  COUNTRY MEMBERS  
6.1  TFA implementation achievements and constraints of LDCs  
6.1.  As part of its engagement with the TFA review process, the LDC Group circulated two 
communications related to LDC Member experience with regard to implementation of the TFA in 
documents G/TFA/W/58  and G/TFA/W/59/Rev.1 .  
6.2.  The information provided in document G/TFA/W/58 is based on a survey devised and conducted 
by the LDC Group. The survey asked questions regarding the specific challenges for capitals to 
prepare the required notifications  under Section II of the TFA.  It also asked questions on the broader 
challenges for capitals and stakeholders, including importers and exporters, with regard to the 
benefits and difficulties of TFA implementation. It included questions on LDCs experiences  with 
 
47 G/TFA/W/36  
48 G/TFA/W/64  
49 20 May, 9 June, 7 July, 28 July, 15 September, 1 October, 14 October.  
50 https://tfadatabase.org/trade -facilitation -committee/meeting/2020 -09-30. 
51 G/TFA/W/29 . 
52 G/TFA/W/67 . 
53 G/TFA/W/39 . G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 38 - 
 
  acquiring technical assistance and capacity -building support, as well as asking capitals and 
stakeholders to identify areas where they would desire improvements with regard to implementation 
of the Agreement.   
6.3.  The LDC Group indicates that the result s of the survey to date are not exhaustive but they do 
provide preliminary information on LDC implementation experiences to date. The LDC Group 
continues to collect information from LDC members on their experiences in the implementation of 
the TFA. The Com mittee welcomes the LDC Group’s intention to submit updated revisions of this 
communication to reflect further information received from capitals toward LDC inputs into the work 
of the Committee, as appropriate.  
6.2  LDC notifications under Section II  of the T FA 
6.4.  The LDC Group considers, based on the survey feedback from capitals as well factual 
information reported by the WTO Secretariat, that most LDCs have completed their notification 
obligations. It considers that in many cases, LDCs surpassed expectations i n terms of notifications.  
6.2.3   Challenges  
6.5.  According to the results of the survey, a number of  delegations had difficulties to notify their 
categorization designations. Some of the reasons cited were the lack of mastery of the Agreement 
itself.  It emerged durin g the exercise of categorizing the Agreement's measures that there was no 
convergence on the understanding of the TFA  provisions, including among the private sector.  
6.6.  Other challenges were cited by LDC Members in regard to obtaining information on the use o f 
customs brokers (article 10.6.2); contact point(s) for customs cooperation (article  12) plus 
necessary information to  prepare the definitive implementation dates of category B measures. In 
the case of at least one LDC, t he difficulties caused delays in t he country's notification of their 
indicative implementation dates for category  B and C  measures, as well as transparency 
notifications, particularly information on the operation of its single window.  
6.2.4   Support received  
6.7.  The survey noted that assistance from  various institutions and partners as well as the 
organization of the regular session on technical assistance and capacity building mechanism helped 
Members to overcome these challenges. Initial problems were found in understanding the 
Agreement, which imp acted the categorization process, the establishment of the National Trade 
Facilitation Committee, as well as involvement of various relevant departments responsible for the 
corresponding provisions. Moreover, for some LDC Members, the process of gradually adapting the 
laws and procedures also contributed to understanding of the Agreement.  
6.8.  Such challenges are reflected in the requests from nine LDC country Members for additional 
time to notify their definitive implementation dates for category B measures (s ee Section 3.1.4 of 
the report ). 
6.9.  A number of LDCs required extensions of time as indicated in paragraph 3.7 of the factual 
report. In some cases, the challenges were overcome through the provision of basic training on the 
TFA provisions. Workshops, includi ng in capitals with stakeholders, organized by the WTO and other 
agencies facilitated the designation of categories for notification.  
6.10.   According to the survey, support was received in the categorization and implementation of 
category C measures through sequ encing and prioritization of category  C measures, consultation 
with relevant stakeholders, identifying required technical assistance, sensitization and training 
workshops for the various stakeholders on the perception of the substantive provisions of the 
agreement. The stakeholders were thus able to progressively conduct the process of categorization.  
6.11.   As a result of the training, some of the relevant stakeholders attained an understanding of 
the legally binding obligations under the TFA, including designation of category A, B and C measures, 
implementation timelines and technical assistance needed, part icularly for Category C measures, 
and potential benefits of implementation. The training also gave an impetus to expedite preparations 
needed from relevant institutions to comply with the commitments of the TFA.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 39 - 
 
  6.12.   In addition, some of the difficulties were resolved through follow -up in the framework of the 
National Trade Facilitation Committee, and in at least one case, the revision of domestic legislation 
to comply with the TFA was identified as being of potential assistance.  
6.3  Implementation of the provision s of the TFA  
6.13.   Categorization of the TFA provisions is carried out individually by LDCs based on their national 
needs assessments. At the same time, review of the notification data from LDCs shows that there is 
a level of commonality among Members of the gr oup with regard to those provisions that are most 
difficult to implement and those that are easier to implement.  
6.14.   Chart 15 shows the categorization of all TFA provisions by LDC Members, in descending order 
of category A, B and C.  Results from the survey c onducted by the LDC Group provide some context 
for the data. With regard to category A measures, in the majority of cases, these measures were 
already in place, and in other cases existing laws and regulations were already aligned with the TFA 
provisions. In other cases, category A provisions were easier to implement as a result of leveraging 
existing and on -going efforts by government. In the case of one LDC, the survey reported that their 
category A provisions were easiest to implement as a result of the continuous reforms and 
modernization of the Customs Administration, as well as having held consultations among 
stakeholders. Provisions for which a lot of support had been received and for which there was 
domestic interest in reform were also easier to imp lement.  
6.15.    Looking in more detail at the provisions in category C, it can be seen that LDC Members 
require technical assistance in a number of common provisions.  In particular, the top five provisions 
for which LDCs require the greatest level of technical assistance are border agency cooperation 
(Article 8); single window (Article 10.4); authorized operators (Article 7.7); test procedures (Article 
5.3), and risk management (Article 7.4). Details are provided in Chart 16.  
6.16.   The survey, even though it continues  to be completed, provides some insight into some of 
the challenges being experienced by a number of LDC Members in trying to implement these 
provisions.  
6.17.   Difficulties to implement Article 8.2 was mainly in the case of Member due to the need for 
mutual agr eements with border agencies. In some cases, this required technical assistance and 
capacity building assistance to negotiate and reach agreement, especially on joint controls, 
establishment of one stop inspection and establishment of one stop border post control.  
6.18.   For another Member, some of the single window implementation challenges included the 
reluctance of some agencies and the private sector to change their practices.  
6.19.   One common general reason cited for difficulties behind the need for technical assi stance in 
particular for these top five provisions is the requirement of infrastructure development which 
requires technical assistance on a continuous and integrated manner.  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 40 - 
 
  Chart 15: LDC notifications by article and by category  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 41 - 
 
  Chart 16: LDC notifications by article and by category C  
 
Source:  Trade Facilitation Agreement Database ( http://www.tfadatabase.org ). 
 
G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 42 - 
 
  6.4  Category C measures  
6.20.   The survey identifies that effective implementation of all the measures notified under the 
category C measures by the LDCs is important but at the same time it is also challenging. 
Respondents to the survey  indicated that gaps in technical and financial support still exist and are 
now much concentrated to implementation of category C provisions. With regard to category C 
measures, the difficulties are linked to the transposition of the needs into coherent an d relevant 
projects according to the requirements of the Agreement.  
6.21.   The survey identified gaps in assistance as related to the lack of information on the funding 
mechanism for the implementation of the TFA, the lack of mobilization of funds to support the 
operation of the National Trade Facilitation Committees, and the imp lementation of the TFA category 
C provisions. To remedy this, the LDC Group encouraged donor country members to increase 
awareness at the global, regional, and national levels on mobilizing sufficient support for the 
implementation of the TFA Category C. Donor country Members are also encouraged to extend 
additional support in implementation of category C provisions in the LDCs mainly based on the 
technical assistance requirement notification and consultations in respective capitals  
6.5  Perceptions of traders r egarding implementation of the TFA  
6.22.   According to the survey, LDC traders were already seeing benefits resulting from 
implementation of the TFA via a reduction in time and costs. Improvements were cited in the areas 
of simplified procedures, publication of m easures, automation and streamlining of procedures, 
cooperation among actors in the supply chain, operationalization of a single window, 24/7 operation 
of port structures and services. In addition, implementation of the authorized operator system was 
providing increased incentive to export and import.   
6.23.   On the other hand, LDC traders also noted some continuing difficulties with regard to some 
TFA measures not being implemented. The difficulties identified covered a broad range of issues that 
are addressed i n the TFA.  
6.24.   Traders experienced challenges resulting from cumbersome administrative procedures at the 
borders as well as from arbitrary behaviour of officials. They experienced high costs of exchanges 
as a result of multiple barriers, as well as charges unduly applied . Another challenge identified was 
that of double customs taxation. In addition, traders experienced challenges when interacting with 
relevant agencies that were not integrated into the single window for foreign trade. To avoid 
spending more time and the r isk of losing all of their goods, some economic players are then subject 
to bribes.  
6.25.   Challenges were also identified resulting from multiple difficulties related to technical barriers 
to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS). Some proble ms were faced in 
addressing SPS measures as there were not sufficient border check points for SPS measures in 
parallel to Customs points. One LDC faced some problems with trading partners in particular due to 
SPS related requirements and internationally ac credited certifications.  
6.26.   Other constraints identified included infrastructure problems such as the poor condition of 
roads and transport  infrastructure,  ICT infrastructure, and trade logistics. Continued encountering 
of transit problems were cited, with on e example being the i mplementation of a single guarantee on 
transit corridors. Problems were also still faced in transit cases where Article 11.2 was yet to be 
observed  
6.6  Desired improvements identified by traders  
6.27.   According to the survey, LDC traders would l ike to see some improvements in a number of 
areas, including: the facilitation of LDC exports into other markets, transparency of rules in those 
markets, and the release of those goods in the other markets; more transparency in foreign markets 
to facilitat e access to operators, particularly for micro, small and medium -sized 
enterprises  (MSMEs); reduction of non -tariff barriers including more transparent SPS measures and 
international standards of trading partners.  
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
- 43 - 
 
  6.7  Some examples of lessons learned  
6.28.   According  to the survey, staff training and capacity building remain imperative for sustained 
implementation of the TFA. Continuous reform and modernization of customs administration, and 
cooperation among all stakeholders are also important. Institutional and bila teral assistance were 
helpful to support implementation of the TFA. Methods used by some LDC Members to resolve 
difficulties included workshops, interactions, and regular monitoring. Other LDCs identified the 
operation of the National Trade Facilitation Co mmittee as being key to implementation of the 
Agreement.  
6.8  Summary  
6.29.   The LDC Group summarized its observations, experiences and  the results of the survey as 
follows:  
• The facilitation of LDC exports into other markets, transparency of rules in those markets, a nd 
the release of those goods in the destination markets are needed.  
• Problems are still faced in transit cases where Article 11.2 is yet to be observed and challenges 
remain on the release of LDC goods in other markets.  
• Reduction of non -tariff barriers inc luding more transparent and supportive SPS and TBT 
measures of trading partners are expected.  
• Capacity constraints, technology constraints, and limited awareness of the TFA, among others, 
are hindering implementation of TFA in most LDCs.  
• Effective implemen tation of those category C measures has a strong connection with 
significant additional support from development partners in terms of resource, technological, 
institutional and human capacity building.  
• The gaps in assistance are now much more concentrated to implementation of category c 
provisions.  
• In this context, donor country Members are encouraged to extend additional support in 
implementation of category C provisions in the LDCs mainly based on the technical assistance 
requirement notification and cons ultations in respective capitals.  
• Additionally, landlocked least developed countries have further difficulties, especially within 
their territory, to develop and maintain sufficient trade infrastructure including ICT 
infrastructure.  
• Trade facilitation for LDC Members requires bridging a huge digital gap and the connection of 
the entire domestic business with an ICT system and e -commerce and then linked with the 
cross-border trade.  
 
6.9  LDC merchandise trade 2017 -2020  
6.30.   The Secretariat, on an annual basis, provides an update on the trends in the least developed 
countries' (LDCs) trade and market access conditions in a document entitled "Market Access for 
Products and Services of Export Interest to Least Developed Countries"54. The updates are circulated 
in the document series "WT/COMTD/LDC/W/* ". 
6.31.   The reports circulated in 2019, 2020 and 2021 provides data regarding merchandise trade in 
imports and exports for LDCs over the period of this review. The follow table (Table 15) show s the 
data for the years 2017 to 2020 in value terms (US billion dollars). Further information on LDC -
related trade data can be found in the referenced WT/COMTD/LDC/W documents.  
Table 15: LDC merchandise trade 2017 – 2021 (Value)  
Value (US$bn)  
2017 2018 2019 2020 
Exports  Imports  Exports  Imports  Exports  Imports  Exports  Imports  
176 237 196 260 193 276 173 247 
Source:  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/67 , WT/COMTD/LDC/W/68  and WT/COMTD/LDC/6 9 
 
 
 
54 This document is prepared under the Secretariat's o wn responsibility and is without prejudice to the 
positions of Members or to their rights  and obligations under the WTO.  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  7  DATABASE AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENTS SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE TF 
COMMITTEE  
7.1.  A database – tfadatabase.org  – was created in response to a request expressed by Members 
in the TFC.  
7.2.  The database is publicly available in the  three WTO official languages. It is a fact -based 
reference source for information on TFA notifications which also provides analytical functionalities. 
It follows the evolution of the TFA and continually adapts to accommodate new notification data.  
7.3.  The Mem ber profile pages provide a platform to view the notification status of an individual 
Member in depth as well as any information notified by Members. All notification documents and 
other submissions made by Members can be accessed on these pages.  
7.4.  The TFA d atabase hosts a dedicated page of the TF Committee containing all the information 
provided under the experience -sharing and thematic discussions in the Committee.  
7.5.  Government officials and traders can access all URLs and contact points as Members are 
requir ed to notify under the TFA.  
7.6.  All technical assistance disbursements provided by Members can also be accessed on the TFA 
database.  
7.7.  The TFA Database automatically feeds data to three other websites, comprising the main WTO 
website, The Trade Facilitation Agre ement Facility (TFAF) website and the Global Trade Helpdesk 
website.  
8  MEMBERS' GENERAL PROPOSALS  
8.1.  Recalling the discussions during this first review of the operation and implementation of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement, the Committee notes that the recomme ndations contained in 
communication G/TFA/W/53 remain under consideration by it.  
9  RECOMMENDATIONS  AND DECISIONS RESULTING FROM THE REVIEW  
9.1  Section I of the TFA  
9.1.  Building on the discussions during this first review of the operation and implementation of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement, and with a view to furthering its work in regard to Section I of the 
TFA, the Committee:  
Recognizing that WTO Members are responsible for  the maintenance of their transparency 
notifications, including regarding the official plac es where information under Article 1 of TFA 
is published,  decides that  the Secretariat shall annually check the operability of the related 
web links, namely, those related to the implementation of Article 1.4 of TFA, and request the 
relevant Members to upd ate the links that are identified as broken.                       
9.2  Section II of the TFA  
9.2.  Building on the discussions during this first review of the operation and implementation of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement, and with a view to furthering its work in regard to Section II of the 
TFA, the Committee:  
i. recommends that beneficiary Members with category C commitments organize meetings with 
donors in capital, to review the state of assistance and potential future needs. Beneficiary 
Members are invited to sh are the outcome of these meetings with the Trade Facilitation 
Committee by [xxx].   
ii. decides that the Secretariat will lead a process with Members to agree regularised agenda 
topics for the dedicated session on assistance and capacity building, within the pa rameters of 
Article 21.4. As part of this process, the following items will be discussed at every dedicated 
session henceforth:  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  a. International and regional organisations and other agencies supporting the 
implementation of the TFA are invited to provide a report on the activities that they 
have delivered in the preceding twelve months. This should provide details on which 
Members the y are supporting, the TFA articles they are helping to implement, and 
reflections on challenges and successes to enable improved future capacity building 
support.  
b. Members and organisations are invited to share experiences on where synergies 
between capacit y building programmes have benefited implementation of the TFA and 
consider where further collaboration and cooperation (including on a regional level) 
might best support a future implementation of specific Articles.  
First, in order to provide support for Members to better manage their implementation plans, we 
propose that the Committee  decides to  review the effectiveness of the list of definitive 
implementation  dates prepared by the WTO secretariat (G/TFA/INF/1) on a regular basis and, as 
appropriate , . The list aims to remind Members of their own definitive dates for category B and C 
so that those Members who face difficulties in implementing category B or C provisions can take 
appropriate actions as stipulated in Articles 17, 18 and 19 of the TFA. It is e xpected that the 
Committee could  improve the list and the methods for circulating it the list  by reflecting feedback 
from Members in order for the list to further contribute to this purpose. We believe this would to 
promote better self -management by Member s of their own implementation status and allow 
adequate monitoring by the Committee  TFC. 
Second, we propose that the Committee recommend the following practice  recommends that  for 
Members whose implementation dates have passed for their category B or C pro visions . That is , 
and on a voluntary basis and for informational purposes only , to: (i) confirm the passing of 
implementation dates in any form or reporting (orally or in writing); and/or (ii) share their 
implementation experiences with the Committee while  explicitly mentioning the provision they 
have implemented. Category B and Category C provisions shall be implemented on the definitive 
dates as notified by Members as per Article 16.5 of the Agreement. The Committee could 
encourage those Members who have implemented category B provisions in particular to take the 
actions above. It should be noted that this proposal never intends to modify the Members’ 
obligations under the TFA.  
G/TFA/W/46/Rev.2  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  
 
9.3  Section III of the TFA  
9.3.  Building on the discussions during this first review of the operation and implementation of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement, and with a view to furthering its work in regard to Section III of the 
TFA, the Committee:  
i. decides to remove "Review of Notifications Under Article 15 of the TFA" as a standing agenda 
item for its meetings, recognizing that the Committee may review new Article 15 notifications 
on an ad hoc  basis;  
ii. decides to add a new standing agen da item for Members to provide updates on overdue 
Section I and Section II notifications;  
iii. recommends that even when physical participation in meetings resumes, Interprefy (or an 
alternative IT platform) allowing remote connection should be enabled for all WTO Members;  
iv. recommends that notifications be circulated as far in advance of Committee meetings as 
possible in order to promote meaningful review and comment from Members;  
v. decides to draft document  that contains good practices and building blocks of succ essful 
NTFCs, and identifies a minimum of three concrete elements that all Members agree are 
essential for implementing a successful NTFC: full government agency participation, clear 
leadership with political imperatives, and strong links to the private se ctor 
recommends  In order to make these two proposals above effective and practical, we propose to 
set a new standing agenda item "Status of Definitive Date Implementation " be included  after the 
existing agenda item "Status of Notifications and Ratifications " for . Under the new standing 
agenda item, Members can  review of the effectiveness of the list of definitive dates in G/TFA/INF/1  
based on the report by the Secretariat  and voluntary interventions by Members, if any, highlighting 
implementati on of provisions as per 8.2 (iii) and (iv) above . 
G/TFA/W/46/Rev.2  
Proposal under consideration by the CTF  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  vi. decides to include an agenda item "Follow -up to the four -year review" for the purpose of 
continuing discussions, at the request of proponents, on the proposals that remain under 
consideration by the CTF from this review ; 
vii. decides to conduct a second review of the operation and implementation of the Agreement in 
2026, and periodically thereafter.  
 
 
 
 G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  ANNEX  1 
COMPENDIUM  
SHARING EXPERIENCES RELATED TO THE COVID -19 CRISIS AS OF 1 JULY 2021  
G/TFA/W/40/Rev. 2 
 
  G/TFA/W/41/Rev.7  
 
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  ANNEX  2 
Table 1: Information -Sharing by Annex D+ partner organizations on their activities  
Member/Presenter  Title Committee Meeting  
Annex D+ Partner 
Organizations  Report by the Annex D+ partner 
organizations to the Trade Facilitation 
Committee  
G/TFA/W/29  20-22 October 2020  
Report by the ITC and the Annex D 
partner organizations to the Trade 
Facilitation Committee   
(G/TFA/W/39)  22-23 April 2021  
GATF  Update on activities of the Global Alliance 
for Trade Facilitation  12-13 February 2019  
Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation  25 June 2019  
Update from the Global Alliance for Trade 
Facilitation  15 October 2019  
Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation 
update  11 February 2020  
Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation 
presentation  20-22 October 2020  
Building trust through public -private 
partnerships for trade facilitation  22-23 April 2021  
Capacity building support  19-21 October 2021  
OECD  Summary of Events on Trade Facilitation 
and Future Trade Cooperation  26 June 2018  
Trade facilitation analysis at the OECD: 
Mapping opportunities and challenges in 
the implementation of the WTO TFA  19-21 October 2021  
STDF Driving safe trade solutions worldwide 
STDFs role  25 June 2019  
UNCTAD  UNCTAD tools for NTFCs  3 March 2021  
UNCTAD's Reform Tracker  19-21 October 2021  
UNCTAD and Rwanda  UNCTAD Compendium of Good Practices 
UNCTAD and Rwanda  15 October 2019  
UNCTAD and Vanuatu  Vanuatu's experience with implementation 
of customs automation and single window 
– ASYCUDA programme  22-23 June 2021  
UNCTAD and Honduras  Reform tracker for NCTFs  19-21 October 2021  
WCO WCO statement  11 February 2020  
Tracking progress on implementation of 
WCO’s standards, instruments and trade 
facilitation measures  19-20 July 2021  
2021 WCO survey results on the state of 
play in the area of NCTFs  19-21 October 2021  
 
Table 2: Information -Sharing by Annex D+ partner organizations on their work to 
support Members to mitigate the COVID -19 crisis  
Member/Presenter  Title Committee Meeting  
GATF  Global Alliance – COVID -19 impact on 
Trade Facilitation  30 September 2020  
ITC ITC - Coping with COVID -19 through 
trade facilitation  30 September 2020  
UNCTAD  UNCTAD - Easing global trade and 
transport during COVID -19 30 September 2020  
World Bank Group  World Bank - WB response to COVID -19 
crisis 30 September 2020  
19-21 October 2021  
WCO WCO - What Customs can do to mitigate 
the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic  30 September 2020  
GATF  Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation  26-27 January 2021  
WCO Statement by the WCO  26-27 January 2021  
WCO WCO presentation on COVID -19 related 
measures  3 March 2021  
 
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