FORM 4:
NEW WORK ITEM PROPOSAL (NP)Circulation date: 2022-03-15
Closing date for voting: 2022-06-07
Proposer☒ ISO member body:
SAC☐ Committee, liaison or other¹:

Reference number:(to be given by ISO Central Secretariat)
ISO/TC /SC☒

Proposal for a new PC

N

Secretariat
SAC
A proposal for a new work item within the scope of an existing committee shall be submitted tothe secretariat of that committee.
¹ The proposer of a new work item may be a member body of ISO, the secretariat itself, anothertechnical committee or subcommittee, an organization in liaison, the Technical Management Boardor one of the advisory groups, or the Secretary-General. See ISO/IEC Directives Part 1, Clause 2.3.2.
The proposer(s) of the new work item proposal shall:• make every effort to provide a first working draft for discussion, or at least an outline of aworking draft;• nominate a project leader;• discuss the proposal with the committee leadership prior to submitting the appropriate form,
to decide on an appropriate development track (based on market needs) and draft a projectplan including key milestones and the proposed date of the first meeting.
The proposal will be circulated to the P-members of the technical committee or subcommittee forvoting, and to the O-members for information.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Proposals without adequate justification risk rejection or referral to originator.
Guidelines for proposing and justifying a new work item are contained in Annex C of the ISO/IEC
Directives, Part 1.
☒

The proposer has considered the guidance given in the Annex C during the preparation of the NP.

Resource availability:☒ There are resources available to allow the development of the project to start immediately
after project approval* (i.e. project leader, related WG or committee work programme).
* if not, it is recommended that the project be first registered as a preliminary work item (a Form 4 is not required forthis) and, when the development can start, Form 4 should be completed to initiate the NP ballot.

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Proposal (to be completed by the proposer, following discussion with the committee leadership)
Title of the proposed deliverable
English title
Guidelines for overseas warehouse services in cross-border tradeFrench title (if available)(In the case of an amendment, revision or a new part of an existing document, include thereference number and current title)
Scope of the proposed deliverable
This document identifies key elements in providing overseas warehouse services in crossborder trade. It specifies the services offered by overseas warehouses, and highlights specificfunctions including the general principles, service provisions, service processes, service
guarantee, service quality, evaluation, and improvements.
This document applies to overseas warehouse service providers and other related parties.
This will guide overseas warehouse service providers on the safe and compliant overseas
warehouse services.
This document does not apply to the fields that are covered by the scope of ISO/TC 315 cold
chain logistics.

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Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 3

Purpose and justification of the proposal
What is an overseas warehouse?
Overseas warehouses are overseas operation centres established by domestic enterprises(including overseas subsidiaries) to provide storage, delivery, distribution, processing, andother value-added services for import and export commodities. The essence of overseas
warehouses is to deliver the goods to the destination country in advance, which localizes
cross-border trade and improves consumer shopping experience, thereby enhancing the local
competitiveness of cross-border sellers in export destination markets.
With nearly 20 years of development, overseas warehouses started with only plain
warehousing function from the initial stage and gradually developed into a new type of foreign
trade infrastructure that integrates basic functions and value-added services such as returnand exchange, circulation processing, distribution, and financing. This evolution makes
overseas warehouses not just the major innovations in cross-border trade logistics models but
have become the core hub of overseas logistics networks.
There has been an increase in demand for warehousing during the COVID-19 pandemic, due
to mobility restrictions and safety concerns especially for commodities. COVID-19 has
prompted a concentrated outbreak of overseas warehouses, with the number of warehouses
continue to grow rapidly around the world. Overseas warehouses have moved fromtraditionally popular European and American markets to emerging countries and regions suchas the Southeast Asia and South America. The layout of the warehouse network is globalized.
In just over a year from 2019 to 2020, the average growth rate of the number of overseas
warehouses in major countries such as the United States, Britain, Germany, Japan, andAustralia is as high as 72.4%.
The role and challenges of overseas warehouses
Overseas warehouses have the advantages of fast customs clearance, speedy delivery, quick
turnover, and at low cost. It can solve many traditional challenges with cross-border logistics
such as timeliness, cost, customs clearance, and localization. With the global supply chain
crisis, overseas warehouses have become an important mode for international logistics tomanage timely delivery and keep costs down. Overseas warehouses achieve this byconnecting all key parts of the supply chain, and playing a great role in dredging international
logistics parties and improving supply chain problems. According to data from the eBay
platform, the conversion rate of merchandise link sales in overseas warehouses is four times
that of direct-issued merchandise, and the sales of goods in overseas warehouses account for
more than 50%, but the number of stocks keeping units is only 10%. Therefore, more andmore e-commerce platforms are tilting traffic to overseas warehouse commodities to promotetransaction opportunities. Specifically, overseas warehouses can play the following roles:——Integrate logistics resources, improve the efficiency of customs clearance of goods, while
improving logistics timeliness, and reducing logistics costs;——Help sellers optimize inventory and reduce the risk of unsalable products;——Ensure order fulfilment, shorten the service cycle, and improve the shopping experience ofend customers;——Help the supply chain to be stable and unblocked and improve the resilience of the global
supply chain;——Promote the construction of overseas logistics networks to help enhance international
competitiveness.
At present, the overseas warehouse industry is still facing many obstacles in the developmentof large-scale and intelligent stage:——The lack of relevant standards has led to uneven development levels and service
capabilities, and brought many risks to actual operations;

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Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 4——Facing the policy risk of the destination country during construction and operation,
resulting in higher operating costs;——Difficulty to supervise the warehouses, and the inability to control the goods and thedisposal in distress as overseas warehouses and commodities are spread overseas.
——The localized operation and terminal distribution capabilities do not match the demand.
Benefits of this document
The lack or scarcity of standards in overseas warehouse services suggests the need forprocedures and minimum standards, especially for the operators or services providers.
Having established guidelines for overseas warehousing service have many benefits:——Fills the gaps in the international standards of overseas warehouses and provides
guidelines for overseas warehouse services;——Ensures the timeliness and service quality of overseas warehouse services, reduces
operating costs and improves operating quality;——Ensures the quality of services to consumers and strengthens the trust among suppliers,
consumers, e-commerce platforms and their logistics providers;——Improves the utilization efficiency of overseas warehouses, provides more jobs, andpromotes sustainable social development;——Promotes the development of standardization, digitization, intelligence, and specializationin the overseas warehouse industry;——Improves the level of global trade facilitation, and ensures the reliability and security ofsupply chains.
Consider the following:
Is there a verified market need for the proposal?
What problem does this document solve?
What value will the document bring to end-users?
See Annex C of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 for more information.
See the following guidance on justification statements in the brochure ‘Guidance on New
work’: https://www.iso.org/publication/PUB100438.html

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Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 5

Please select any UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that this document will
support. For more information on SDGs, please visit our website at www.iso.org/SDGs."☐ GOAL 1: No Poverty☐ GOAL 2: Zero Hunger☐ GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being☐ GOAL 4: Quality Education☐ GOAL 5: Gender Equality☐ GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation☐ GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy☒ GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth☒ GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure☐ GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality☐ GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities☒ GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production☐ GOAL 13: Climate Action☐ GOAL 14: Life Below Water☐ GOAL 15: Life on Land
☐ GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
N/A GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
Preparatory work
(An outline should be included with the proposal)☐☒☐

A draft is attachedAn outline is attachedAn existing document will serve as the initial basis

The proposer or the proposer's organization is prepared to undertake the preparatory
work required: ☒ Yes☐ No
If a draft is attached to this proposal
Please select from one of the following options (note that if no option is selected, the default
will be the first option):☒ Draft document can be registered at Working Draft stage (WD – stage 20.00)☐ Draft document can be registered at Committee Draft stage (CD – stage 30.00)☐ Draft document can be registered at Draft International Standard stage (DIS – stage 40.00)☐

If the attached document is copyrighted or includes copyrighted content, the proposer
confirms that copyright permission has been granted for ISO to use this content incompliance with clause 2.13 of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 (see also the Declaration on
copyright).

Is this a Management Systems Standard (MSS)?
☐ Yes

☒ No

NOTE: if Yes, the NP along with the Justification study (see Annex SL of the Consolidated ISO
Supplement) must be sent to the MSS Task Force secretariat (tmb@iso.org) for approval
before the NP ballot can be launched.

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Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 6

Indication of the preferred type to be developed☒☐☐

International Standard
Technical Specification
Publicly Available Specification

Proposed Standard Development Track (SDT)
To be discussed between proposer and committee manager considering, for example, whenthe market (the users) needs the document to be available, the maturity of the subject etc.
☐ 18 months*☐ 24 months☒ 36 months* Projects using SDT 18 are eligible for the ‘Direct publication process’ offered by ISO /CS which reduces
publication processing time by approximately 1 month.

Draft project plan (as discussed with committee leadership)
Proposed date for first meeting: 2022-10-01
Proposed dates for key milestones:
Circulation of 1st Working Draft (if any) to experts: 2023-06-01
Committee Draft ballot (if any): 2024-01-01
DIS submission*: 2024-07-01
Publication*: 2025-07-01* Target Dates for DIS submission and Publication should preferably be set a few weeks ahead of the limit dates(automatically given by the selected SDT).

For guidance and support on project management, descriptions of the key milestones and tohelp you define your project plan and select the appropriate development track, see:go.iso.org/projectmanagement
NOTE: The draft project plan is later used to create a detailed project plan, when the project isapproved.
Known patented items (see ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1, clause 2.14 for important
guidance)
☐ Yes

☒ No

If "Yes", provide full information as annex
Co-ordination of work
To the best of your knowledge, has this or a similar proposal been submitted to anotherstandards development organization?
☐ Yes

☒ No

If “Yes”, please specify which one(s):V01/2020

Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 7

A statement from the proposer as to how the proposed work may relate to or impact on
existing work, especially existing ISO and IEC deliverables. The proposer should
explain how the work differs from apparently similar work, or explain how duplicationand conflict will be minimized
According to ISO Online Browsing Platform (OBP), there is no existing standards that overlaps
with the topic of “overseas warehouse.” This document provides guidance for cross-border
trade overseas warehouse services, focusing on the characteristics of overseas warehouseservice. This document will also refer to existing standards if applicable.
A listing of relevant existing documents at the international, regional and national levels
The following ISO Standards may apply to supply chain, logistics and distribution industry,including warehousing and storage. This proposed standards, however, is specific to all
aspects of overseas warehouse including, facilities, platforms, workforce, and related services.
ISO 9001:2015 – quality management system – on benchmarking performance and services
ISO 14001:2015 – environment management system – on adhering to environment-related
regulations in the conduct of overseas warehouse
ISO 28000:2007 – security management system – relating to security assurance of the supply
chain or identifying risks across supply chain operations
ISO 45001:2018 – occupational health and safety – with regards to workers in the operationsof overseas warehouse.
ISO/IEC CD 15944-19 – Information technology — business operational view — Part 19:
Guidelines on cross-border data flows (CBDF): requirements for business transactions(including personal information)
China Association Standard: T/CCPITCSC 90 “Guidelines for overseas warehouse services incross-border trade” developed by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade(CCPIT) Commercial Sub-council
Please fill out the relevant parts of the table below to identify relevant affectedstakeholder categories and how they will each benefit from or be impacted by the
proposed deliverable
Benefits/impacts

Examples oforganizations/companies
to be contacted

Industry and commerce –large industry

The proposal will foster
collaboration among major
overseas warehouse
operators and key supply
chain players towards
improved service delivery.

UPS, DHL, FedEx, Unilever,
P&G, Mondelez International

Industry and commerce –SMEs

SMEs can use this to expandin global market and enables
them to adjust their strategies
according to inventory
feedback to manage supply
and fulfil demand.

Almost all SMEs that areexporting products and areplanning to expand andpromote business in overseas
warehousing.

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Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 8Government

This will help organizations
provide inputs to concerned
government agencies toimprove policies in dealing
with overseas warehousing
activities in within and in othercountries.

Consumers

Consumers will benefit from
Consumer groups in different
this standards as it will ensure countries.
the security and safety inhandling their parcel andimprove consumer
experience.

LabourThis proposal will help
harness human capitalpotential and ensure workers
welfare.

Professionals and workers in
the warehousing industry.

Academic and researchbodies

The standards will help in the
adoption of necessary
policies, based on empirical
data and best practices.

SCM WorldStandards application
businesses

The businesses applying thestandard can use it to help
manage and enhance theirpolicies and procedures withregards to the overseas
warehouse.

Overseas warehouse service
providers

Non-governmentalorganizations

The proposal will help improve IFWL (International Federation
the competence andof Warehousing & Logistics)
capacities of supply chain
Association for Supply Chain
professionals and companies Management (ASCM)
through education andtraining.

Other (please specify)

None

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Relevant government
agencies involved in overseas
warehouse network ofoperations such as Bureau of
Customs, Ministry of Trade.

NoneForm 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 9

Liaisons

Joint/parallel work

A listing of relevant external internationalorganizations or internal parties (other ISO
and/or IEC committees) to be engaged as
liaisons in the development of the deliverable.

Possible joint/parallel work with
☐ IEC (please specify committee ID)

WTO (World Trade Organization)
UNCTAD
ITC (International Trade Center)
ICC (International Chamber of Commerce)
IFWL (International Federation of
Warehousing & Logistics)
ISO/TC 92 Fire safety
ISO/TC 122 Packaging
ISO/TC 154 Processes, data elements anddocuments in commerce, industry andadministration
ISO/TC 262 Risk management
ISO/TC 283 Occupational health and safety
management
ISO/TC 309 Governance of organizations
ISO/TC 315 Cold chain logistics
ISO/TC 321 Transaction assurance in Ecommerce☐

CEN (please specify committee ID)☐

Other (please specify)

A listing of relevant countries which are not already P-members of the committee
NOTE: The committee manager shall distribute this NP to the ISO members of the countries
listed above to ask if they wish to participate in this work
Proposed Project Leader(name and e-mail address)

Name of the Proposer(include contact information)

Mr. YAO Xin
ccpityx@163.com

Dr. Li Yubing
Deputy Director General, Department ofStandards Innovative Management, SAMR;
Secretary General of Chinese Member Body
of ISO, SAC
Liyb@sac.gov.cn

This proposal will be developed by☐☐☐☒

An existing Working Group (please specify which one: )A new Working Group (title:)(Note: establishment of a new WG must be approved by committee resolution)
The TC/SC directly
To be determined

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Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 10Supplementary information relating to the proposal☐

This proposal relates to a new ISO document;This proposal relates to the adoption as an active project of an item currently registered asa Preliminary Work Item;
This proposal relates to the re-establishment of a cancelled project as an active project.

☐

Other:☒☐

Maintenance agencies (MA) and registration authorities (RA)☐This proposal requires the service of a maintenance agency.
If yes, please identify the potential candidate:☐This proposal requires the service of a registration authority.
If yes, please identify the potential candidate:

NOTE: Selection and appointment of the MA or RA is subject to the procedure outlined in the
ISO/IEC Directives, Annex G and Annex H, and the RA policy in the ISO Supplement,
Annex SN.
☒Annex(es) are included with this proposal (provide details)
Annex A
Outline of “Guidelines of cross-border trade overseas warehouse services”
Additional information/questions

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Annex A
Outline of “Guidelines for overseas warehouse services in cross-border trade”
0 Introduction
1 Scope2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
3.1 cross-border trade
3.2 overseas warehouse
3.3 service provider/operator
3.4 destination country
4 General principle
4.1 Safety
4.2 Integrity
4.3 Intelligence
4.4 Compliance
4.5 Localized operation
4.6 Stability
5 Service provision
5.1 Basic service
5.1.1 Warehousing services
5.1.2 Inventory management service
5.1.3 Sorting and packaging service
5.1.4 Delivery service
5.1.5 Customs clearance service
5.1.6 Customer Service
5.2 Value-added service
5.2.1 Cross-border transit services
5.2.2 Distribution Service
5.2.3 Bonded service
5.2.4 After-sale service(Such as return and exchange service, after-sales maintenance)
5.2.5 FCL and LCL services
5.2.6 Marketing display
5.2.7 Other service
6 Service process

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Form 4: New work item proposal (NP)Page 2

6.1 Entering
6.1.1 Prepare products
6.1.2 Receive products
6.1.3 Inventory and verification
6.1.4 On shelf
6.2 Sign an agreement
6.3 Order processing
6.3.1 Create order
6.3.2 Receive orders
6.3.3 Inspection and packing
6.3 4 Double check
6.4 Exiting
6.4.1 Intercept order
6.4.2 Print the label
6.4.3 Encasement
6.4.4 Scanning and exiting
6.5 Return process
7 Service guarantee
9.1 Service provider/operator
9.2 Service personnel
9.3 Service venue
9.4 Facilities and equipment
9.5 Information system
8 Service quality
8.1 Timeliness of Service
8.2 Convenience and efficiency
8.3 Dispute resolution
8.4 Risk control
9 Evaluation and improvement
9.1 Service review
9.2 Continuous improvement

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