G/TFA/N/PRY/1  
25 January  2018 
(18-0583) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM PARAGUAY  
The follo wing communication, dated 2 4 January 2 018, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Paraguay  for Members' information.  
 
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Following up on the notification dated 2 0 June 2 014 (WT/PCTF/N/PRY/1 ), in which i t indicated its 
category  A commitments, the Republic of Paragua y hereby makes the following additional 
notifications in accordance with Articles 15 and 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1  
- 2 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 1  Publication and Availability of Information  
Article 1.1  Publication  C 1 September 2 018 To be determined  1. Development  and implementation of a 
protocol for the publication and updating of 
information with the assistance of an 
independent consultancy firm.  
2. Training on the protocol and on database 
updating for communication and IT  staff of 
international trade -related bodies.  
3. Development , through an independent 
consultancy firm,  of practical guides for 
exporter s and importer s. 
4. Engagement of an independent consultancy 
firm to develop procedures for improving the 
internal information flow in relevant 
institutions . 
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 1 March 2 019 To be determined  1. Provide institutions with the  same  
technological capabilities : 
a. obtain control of  institutions belonging to 
the Ministry of Public Health and Social 
Welfare ; 
b. acquire  IT resources to harmonize  the 
technological capabilities of each 
institution.  
2. Engagement of an independent consultancy 
firm to create a link on the webpage of 
the Ministry of Industry and Trade's 
Vice-Ministry of MSMEs , for the purpose of:  
a. providing a centralized trade -related 
information channel focusing on SMEs;  
b. organiz ing all of the links to the various 
pages and information sources of the 
relevant  entities.  
3. Strengthening and dissemination of the 
National Information and Notification 
System in strategic cities.  
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 1 September 2 018 To be determined  1. With consultancy assistance, c reation of new, 
and expansion of existing, trader enquiry  
points  in relevant  entities.    
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1  
- 3 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 1.4  Notification  C 1 September 2 018 To be determined  1. Assistance and support for training and 
capacity  building in the preparation of 
notifications  in accordance with WTO  rules.  
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations  
Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and Information 
Before Entry into Force  C 1 September 2 018 To be determined  1. Engagement of an independent consultancy 
firm for the development of a unified 
approval protocol for the introduction of new 
measures, timely publication and entry into 
force, with private -sector participation.  
Article 2.2  Consultations  C 1 September 2 018 To be determined  1. Establishment of participatory consultation 
mechanisms through public/private 
negotiation s. 
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 A - - - 
Article 4 Procedures for Appeal or Review      
 A - - - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  B 1 September 2 019 1 September 2 019 - 
Article 5.2  Detention  A - - - 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  C 1 September 2 020 To be determined  1. Strengthen and expand the capacity of the 
laboratory services of the relevant  
institutions:  
a. international accreditation of 
laboratories;  
b. acquisition of suitable equipment for 
laboratory modernization in each sector ; 
c. training of human resources to specialize 
on the regulatory  and technical side.  
2. Conformity assessment by international 
certification and accreditation bodies.  
3. Expert technical advice.  
Article 6  Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation and Penalties  
Article 6.1  General Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  B 1 March 2 019 1 March 2 019 - 
Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for 
Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and  Exportation  B 1 March 2 019 1 March 2 019 - 
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  B 1 September 2 020 1 September 2 020 -   
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1  
- 4 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 7 Release and Clearance Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  B 1 September 2 019 1 September 2 019 - 
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  A - - - 
Article 7.3  Separation of  Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  B 1 March 2 019 1 March 2 019 - 
Article 7.4  Risk Management  A - - - 
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  B 1 March 2 019 1 March 2 019 - 
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 1 September 2 019 To be determined  1. Consultancy assistance for surveying the 
goods release process.  
2. Technical assistance in the management and 
periodic publication of average goods release 
times.  
Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 1 September 2 020 To be determined  1. Follow up on the project for implementation 
of the Authorized Economic Operator 
Programme, which is currently in the pilot 
phase within the National Customs 
Directorate . The Directorate is requesting 
WCO assistance for implementation of the 
project.  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 1 September 2 018 To be determined  1. Develop , with independent consultancy 
assistance, a simplified facilitation procedure 
for expedited  export shipments . 
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  B 1 March 2 019 1 March 2 019 - 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 1 March 2 021 To be determined  1. Conduct an assessment of the number of 
private ports in existence, as well as of 
their operating conditions and certification, 
to enable the Naval Prefecture to carry out 
its task of monitoring the operating 
conditions of private ports.  
2. Effective and transparent implementation 
of risk management.  
3. Technical cooperation to review the 
regulatory framework governing public and 
private ports  and establishing  
responsibilities in regard to river 
navigability (Law 1066/65).  
4. Expediting of red -channel inspections at 
public and private access points.    
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1  
- 5 - 
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 9  Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs Control  
 A - - - 
Article 1 0 Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  B 1 September 2 019 1 September 2 019 - 
Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  A - - - 
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  A - - - 
Article 10.4  Single Window  A - - - 
Article 10.5  Preshipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  B 1 September 2 019 1 September 2 019 - 
Article 10.8  Rejected Goods  A - - - 
Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 A - - - 
Article 12  Customs Cooperation  
 A - - - 
 
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