G/TFA/N/SWZ/1  
 
3 August  2017 
(17-4196) Page:  1/6 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY  COMMITMENTS  UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM SWAZILAND  
The follo wing communication, dated  28 July 2017,  is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of  Swaziland for Members' information.  
 
______ _________  
 
 
The Kingdom of Swaziland  hereby makes the following notifications in accordance with Articles 15 
and 16 of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (WT/L/931) . 
  
  G/TFA/N/SWZ/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 5 years a s of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Development of operational manuals 
and standard operations procedures 
(SOPs) for other border agencies;  
2. Development of the Trade Information 
Portal (TIP).  
   Article 1.2  Information Available through Inter net C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Development of the  Trade Information 
Portal (TIP);  
2. Establishment of a Trade Information 
Portal Secretariat for the operation of 
the Portal.  
   Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 5 years as of entr y 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Formulation of a coordination  
framework for various agencies;  
2. Capacity building thro ugh training for 
Enquiry Points;  
3. Establishment or designation of a 
Trade Information Enquiry Point Unit.  
   Article 1.4  Notificati on B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations   
   Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and 
Information Before Entry into Force  B 2 years as of entry  
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
   Article 2.2  Consultations  B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
Article 3       Advance Rulings  
 B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
Article 4       Proced ures for Appeal or Review  
 B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
Article 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
   Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  B 2 years a s of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
   Article 5.2  Detention  C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Capacity Building through training and 
exchange programmes  for border 
agencies' personnel;  
2. Development of rules and p rocedures 
for other border agencies.   
  G/TFA/N/SWZ/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 5.3  Test Procedures  C 10 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Capacity building through t raining and 
exchange programmes;  
2. Development of rules and procedures;  
3. Provision of laboratory equi pment for 
testing a t various national laboratories;  
4. Infrastructure development at various 
borders for laboratories.  
Article 6  Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation and Penalties  
   Article 6.1  Gener al Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
   Article 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  A - - - 
   Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  A - - - 
Article 7 Release and Clearance of Goods  
   Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Capacity building  through training for 
customs offic ers and other relevant 
agencies;  
2. Legislation review regarding electronic 
submission of cargo and goods 
declarations.  
   Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  A - - - 
   Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determinatio n of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  A - - - 
   Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Capacity building through training for 
customs offic ers and other relevant 
agencies;  
2. Development of a Risk Man agement 
Strategy;  
3. Establishment of a risk management 
unit with representatives from all 
relevant border agencies.  
   Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Capacity building through training for 
custo ms office rs and other relevant 
agencies;  
2. Establishment of a post -clearance audit 
unit with representatives from all 
relevant border agencies.   
  G/TFA/N/SWZ/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 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Technical assistance in conducting 
regular time release studies.  
   Article 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for 
Authorized Operators  C 10 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Training on Authorized Operators for 
custo ms office rs and relevant agencies;  
2. Development and implementation of a 
programme for Authorized Operators;  
3. Capacity building for the National Trade 
Facilitation Agreement Secretariat.  
   Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
   Article 7.9  Perishable G oods B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 10 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Provision of technical assistan ce in the 
formulation of the Business Process 
Review including t he profiling of border 
agencies;  
2. Development of an implementation 
programme for the Business Process 
Review.  
Article 9       Movement of Goods Intended for Import Under Customs Control  
 B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
Article 10   Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
   Article 10.1  Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Formulation of a legislative or 
administrative framework on business 
practices, review of formalities and 
documentation requirements and also 
the involvement of the pr ivate sector in 
decision -making;  
2. Establishment or designation, within 
the Customs Admini stration and other 
relevant border agencies, or a central 
government authority responsible for 
assessing trade impact of proposed 
formalities and documentation.  
   Article 10.2  Acceptance of C opies B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determi ned -  
  G/TFA/N/SWZ/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 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 5 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Development of a framework aligning 
national legislation to the WCO Revised 
Kyoto Convention and other 
international standards relating to 
import, export and transit formalities 
and procedures.  
   Article 10.4  Single Window  C 15 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  1. Development of the following:  
a. ICT or E -Government Strategy;  
b. Digital National Plan/ E-Commerce ; 
c. ICT infrastructu re; 
d. Single Window Policy/Strategy;  
e. Feasibility study/master plan for the 
implementat ion of a national single 
window;  
f. Assessment of national legislation 
for readiness for  a single window 
implementation;  
g. Analysis and harmonization of 
business processes and d ata 
requirements in the trade of goods;  
h. Governance framework with agreed 
procedures and clear roles.  
   Article 10.5  Pre-shipment Inspection  A - - - 
   Article 10.6  Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
   Article 10.7  Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
   Article 10.8  Rejected G oods B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
   Article 10.9  Temporary Admission of Goods and 
Inward and Outward Proces sing B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  - 
Article 11  Freedom of Transit  
 B 2 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determined  -  
  G/TFA/N/SWZ/1  
 
- 6 - Provision  Heading/Description  Category  Indicative date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Definitive date for 
implementation  
(for categories  
B and C)  Assistance and Support for Capacity 
Building Required for Implementation  
(for category C)  
Article 12  Customs C ooperation  
 C 15 years as of entry 
into force of the TFA  To be determi ned 1. Capacity building on customs -to 
customs exchange of information for 
purposes of verifying goods 
declarations, in the following areas:  
a. Measures promo ting compliance 
and cooperation;  
b. Exchange of information;  
c. Verification;  
d. Request;  
e. Protection and confiden tiality; 
f. Provision of information;  
g. Postp onement or refusal of a 
request;  
h. Reciprocity;  
i. Administrative burden;  
j. Limitations;  
k. Unauthorized use or disclosure;  
l. Bilateral and regional agreements.  
 
__________