An exploration of the need for and cost of selected trade facilitation measures in Asia and the Pacific in the context of the WTO negotiations
II. Assessment of trade facilitation measures
implementation in selected Asia-Pacific countries
The information provided in this section is based on the five above mentioned case
studies. Since the five developing countries studied (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia
and Nepal) are from two different subregions and feature very different geographic and
development characteristics, findings have potential implications for many countries in and
outside the Asia-Pacific region.
All researchers conducted their assessment based on a modified version of the
World Customs Organization (WCO) Self-Assessment Checklist submitted to the WTO
Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation in 2005 (TN/TF/W/16).9 In conducting this
assessment, researchers gathered information from secondary sources (e.g., government
documents and regulations) and, whenever possible, through consultations with relevant
government agencies. Information was collected, for the most part, between August 2005
and November 2005. Assessment checklists for all five countries are presented in
tables II.1 to II.5 below.
A. Measures related to Articles VIII and X
The classification adopted by the WTO Secretariat in its compilation of proposals
(TN/TF/W/43/Rev.) is used to present the assessment results. The following categories of
measures fall under Articles X, VIII or both: Publication and Availability of Information;
Time Period between Publication and Implementation; Consultation and Commenting on
New or Amended Rules; Advance Ruling; Appeal Procedures; Advance Lodgment of Data;
Fees and Charges Connected with Importation and Exportation; Border Agency Coordination;
Release and Clearance of Goods; Tariff Classification. Implementation of measures in
each of these categories is discussed briefly below.
1. Publication and availability of information
All five country case studies suggest that most of the relevant information is published
and made available in various forms, at least through a State Gazette or various Gazettes
of relevant government agencies (see table II.1). Most countries have made efforts or
designed policies to improve and expand the dissemination of information. All governments,
including in the two LDCs studied (Nepal and Bangladesh), appear to make an increasing
amount of information available on the Internet.
This shorter version of the WCO self-assessment checklist was developed by the WTO Secretariat.