RESTRICTED  
  
WT/PCTF/W/22  
 
7 May 2014  
(14-2826)  Page: 1/3  
Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 COMMENTS ON THE TEXT OF THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT 
COMMUNICATION FROM BOTSWANA 
 The following communication dated 28 April 2014 is being circulated at the request of 
Botswana for consideration by the PCTF. 
  
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  ARTICLE 1: PUBLICATION AND AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION 
1. Publication 
We suggest that the first letters from paragraph (a) to (j) be lower cased as they are a 
continuation of the main sentence at paragraph 1. 1.  We also recommend that the word "and" be 
inserted after the semi colon at paragraph (i) to enable conclusion of the sentence at (j). 
2. Information Available Through Internet 
We suggest that the first letters from (a) to (c) be lower cased as they are a continuation of 
the main sentence at paragraph 2.1.  We also recommend that the word "and" be inserted after 
the semi colon at (b) to enable conclusion of the sentence at (c). 
3. Enquiry Points 
We are of the view that the phrase "if any"  at paragraph 3.3 (last sentence) should be 
placed at the end of the sentence as opposed to the beginning such that it reads: 
"Members shall limit the amount of its f ees and charges to the approximate cost 
of services rendered, if any" . 
 
ARTICLE 4:  APPEAL OR REVIEW PROCEDURES 
1. Right of Appeal or Review 
Paragraph 1.4 should be broken down as follows: 
 
"Each Member shall ensure that, in a case where the decision on appeal or review under sub paragraph 1.1 a. is not given: 
 
i. within set periods as specified in its laws or regulations; or 
 
ii. without undue delay, the petitioner has the right …….." 
 
Our view is that the proposed paragraph will be easy to read and easily understandable. 
 WT/PCTF/W/22 
 
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  ARTICLE 5: OTHER MEASURES TO ENHANCE IMPARTIALITY, NON DISCRIMINATION AND 
TRANSPARENCY 
1. Notifications for enhanced controls or inspections 
We suggest that semi colons be placed at the end of each sentence from (a) to (d) and to 
insert the word "and" after the semi colon at (c). 
2. Detention 
We recommend that there be consistency in writing the word "customs". Throughout the 
Agreement the letter "c" has been lower cased while in this Article it has been uppercased.  We 
suggest that it be lower cased for consistency. 
ARTICLE 6: DISCIPLINE ON FEES AND CHAR GES IMPOSED ON OR IN CONNECTION WITH 
IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION 
1. Penalty Disciplines 
The letter "a" before the word "breach" should  be deleted throughout the paragraph. At 
paragraph 3.2, we recommend deletion of th e word "the" before the word "person(s)". 
ARTICLE 7: RELEASE AND CLEARANCE OF GOODS 
1. Expedited Shipments 
a) Insert the letter "a" at paragraph 8.1 in the second sentence after the word "employs" 
and before the word "criteria". Insert the word "the" at paragraph (b) before the word 
"release". Insert the word "and " after the semi colon at (g). 
 b) At paragraph 8.1 (f) the word "and" before the word "fees" should be removed. 
 
2. Perishable goods 
At paragraph 9.4 rephrase the last sentence to read "…. provide reasons for the delay in 
writing " as opposed to "provide a communication on the reasons for the delay".  
ARTICLE 8: BORDER AGENCY COOPERATION 
a) Insert "and" after the semi colon at paragraph (iv). 
b) The numbering should be changed from numerical to alphabets for consistency. 
ARTICLE 10: FORMALITIES CONNECTED WITH IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION AND 
TRANSIT 
1. Formalities and Documentation requirements 
It is proposed that the word "and" as opposed to "and/or" at (a) and (b) be used. Our view 
is that formalities and documentation requirements  should be both adopted and applied and that 
we cannot choose either hence the preference to use "and". 
2. Rejected Goods 
The second paragraph under 8.1 shou ld be numbered as paragraph 8.2. 
ARTICLE 11 FREEDOM OF TRANSIT 
Insert a semi colon after the provision at (a) and the word "and" after the said semi colon. WT/PCTF/W/22 
 
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  ARTICLE 12: CUSTOMS COOPERATION 
1. Exchange of Information 
Under this paragraph, reference should be made to paragraph 6.1(b) as opposed to 6.b. 
2. Request  
Insert the word "and" after the semi colon at (e). 
3. Provision of Information 
The word "and" should be placed after the semi-colon at (d) 
4. Postponement or refusal of a request 
Insert semi colons from (a) to (d) and insert the word "and" after the semi colon at (d).  
5. Limitations  
Insert the word "and" at (g). 
GENERAL COMMENTS 
a) We recommend that there be consistency in the drafting of the word "agreement" it 
has been uppercased throughout the agreement except in this section. We 
recommend that it be uppercased. 
 b) We also suggest consistency in writing numbers, we recommend that figures be 
written in words first and the numeric form be placed in brackets immediately 
thereafter. 
 c) At paragraph 10.5 organisations have been abbreviated without having been written 
in full anywhere else in the Agreement. We suggest that they be written in full and 
abbreviation be put in brackets. 
 
 
 
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