WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/TF/W/15 
4 February 2005 
 (05-0479) 
Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation Original:   English 
  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE UNITED STATES 
  
 The following communication, dated 4 February 20 05, is being circulated at the request of the 
United States. 
 
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EXPRESS SHIPMENTS 
 
 
I. PROPOSAL 
X Provide specific expedited pro cedures for express shipments. 
 
II. IMPROVEMENT AND CLARIFICATION 
1. The silence of Article VIII of GATT 1994 regarding the treatment of express shipments 
reflects a major difference between the trading wo rld of 1947 and 2005.  The United States envisions 
a significant enhancement of certainty and consiste ncy for treatment of express shipments through a 
commitment to provide separate expedited procedures, including individual elements such as 
providing for import data being s ubmitted in advance of arrival of goods, an absence of weight or 
value restrictions on what is considered "expr ess", the availability under normal circumstances to 
secure rapid release, and the availability of "de minimis"  procedures for low value shipments.   
III. EXPERIENCE 
2. Express shipments represent an increasingly important element of every Members logistical 
and supply-chain infrastructure, a key element to economic output in today's global just-in-time business environment.  Express shipments are partic ularly important to small and medium size 
enterprises around the world, which often rely on ni mbleness in operation to compete.  In each of its 
recent free trade agreements, the United States and its partners have agreed to commitments on 
treatment of express shipments.   
IV. COST 
3. The commitments in this area involve fairly simple modifications in regulatory practices, and 
do not carry a direct cost except to the extent that  off-hours processing is provided for such shipments.  
However, in most cases, such costs can be effectiv ely calculated with a precision that allows them to 
be directly borne by express shipment providers r eceiving the service.  Otherwise, the basic elements 
of a regime for treatment of express shipment s are generally a matter of amending regulatory 
authority.  
./. TN/TF/W/15 
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 V. SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT 
4. The United States is not alone in recognizing the importance of ensuring separate expedited 
treatment of express shipments.  We also note an  awareness of situations where uncertainties and 
other problems related to treatment of express shipments have been harmful to the output of 
manufacturing facilities in developing countries.  Much  like the situation with the establishment of an 
Internet website for providing information to trader s, most Members have taken some steps toward 
recognizing the need for special treatment of expr ess shipments.  An early effort to establish a 
diagnostic tool for a quick assessment of the status  in individual Members would be particularly 
useful in moving forward.  In this manner, nego tiations can begin to assess appropriate needs for 
transition periods and develop tim e lines setting out elements needed for full implementation.  The 
United States looks forward to working with Member s to establish appropriate transition mechanisms 
to address particular needs. 
VI. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING 
5. The United States has been active in providing technical assistance in this specific area.  
Notably, this has been identified as potential promis ing for private sector participation in technical 
assistance efforts. 
VII. PROPOSED NEXT STEPS IN NEGOTIATIONS 
X Members develop specific elements for comm itment on treatment of express shipments.  
 X Members work together to develop method and me ans for undertaking diagnosis of individual 
Member situations regarding treatment of express shipments, also assessing time and 
resources needed for implementation of the proposal. 
 X Members, working with potential technical a ssistance recipients and providers, explore 
mechanisms for identifying and addressing needs related to achieving implementation. 
  
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