   
  
G/TFA/N/PRY/1/Add.2   
12 May 2021 
(21-4055) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF CATEGORY COMMITMENTS UNDER  
THE AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM PARAGUAY  
Addendum  
The following communication, dated  5 May 2021, is being circulated at the request of Paraguay for 
Members' information.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Following up on the notification submitted on  23 July 2019 (G/TFA/N/PRY/1/Add. 1), the Republic of 
Paraguay has the honour to notify that Article 7.6 (Establishment and Publication of Average Release 
Times ) was fully implemente d on 9 April 2021, before the initial deadline of 1 September  2021.  
 
Provision  Heading/Description  Previous definitive date 
of implementation  New definitive date of 
implementation  
Article 7.6 Establishment and Publication of 
Average Release Times  1 September  2021 9 April 2021 
 
For ease of reference, Paraguay's full list of category commitments is summarized in the table 
attached hereto.  
  
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1/Add.2  
 
- 2 - Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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 Publica tion C 1 September 2018 1 September  2021 1. Development and implementation of a 
protocol for the publication and 
updating of information with the 
assistance of an independent 
consultancy firm.  
2. Training on the protocol and on 
database updating for communication 
and IT staff of international trade -
related bodies.  
3. Development, through an 
independent consultancy firm, of 
practical guides for exporters and 
importers.  
4. Engagement of an independent 
consultancy firm to develop 
procedures for improving the internal 
information flow in relevant 
institutions.  
Article 1.2 Information Available through Internet  C 1 March  2019 1 September  2021 1. Provide institutions with the same 
technological capabilities:  
a. obtain control of institutions 
belonging to the Ministry of Public 
Health and Social Welfare;  
b. acquire IT resources to harmonize 
the technological capabilities of 
each institution.  
2. Engagement of an independent 
consultancy firm to create a link  on 
the webpage of the Ministry of 
Industry and Trade's Vice -Ministry of 
MSMEs, for the purpose of:  
a. providing a centralized 
trade -related information channel 
focusing on SMEs;  
b. organizing all of the links to the 
various pages and information 
sources of the relevant entities.  
3. Strengthening and dissemination of 
the National Information and 
Notification System in strategic cities.   
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1/Add.2  
 
- 3 - Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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 1.3 Enquiry Points  C 1 September  2018 1 September  2021 1. With consultancy assistance, creation 
of new, and expansion of existing, 
trader enquiry points in relevant 
entities.  
Article 1.4 Notifica tion C 1 September  2018 1 September  2021 1. Assistance and support for training 
and capacity building in the 
preparation of notifications in 
accordance with WTO rules.  
Article 2 Opportunity to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations  
Article 2.1 Opportunity to Comment and Information 
Before Entry into Force  C 1 September  2018 1 September 2020 1. Engagement of an independent 
consultancy firm for the development 
of a unified approval protocol for the 
introduction of new measures, timely 
publication and entry into force, with 
private -sector participation.  
Article 2.2 Consultations  C 1 September  2018 1 September  2020 1. Establishment of participatory 
consultation mechanisms through 
public/private negotiations.  
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 A - - - 
Article  4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 A - - - 
Article  5 Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article  5.1 Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  B 1 September  2019 1 September  2019  
Article  5.2 Detention  A - - - 
Article  5.3 Test Procedures  C 1 September  2020 1 September  2023 1. Strengthen and expand the capacity 
of the laboratory services of the 
relevant institutions:  
a. international accreditation of 
laboratories;  
b. acquisition of suitable equipment 
for laboratory modernization in 
each sector;  
c. training of human resources to 
specialize on the regulatory and 
technical side.  
2. Conformity assessment by 
international certification and 
accreditation bodies.  
3. Expert technical advice.   
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1/Add.2  
 
- 4 - Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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  6  Disciplines on Fees and Charges Imposed on or in Connection with Importation and Exportation and Penalties  
Article  6.1 General Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
Imposed on or in Connection with 
Importation and Exportation  B 1 March  2019 1 March  2019 - 
Article  6.2 Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges for 
Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and Exportation  B 1 March  2019 1 March  2019 - 
Article  6.3 Penalty Disciplines  B 1 September  2020 1 September  2020 - 
Article  7 Release and Clearance Goods  
Article  7.1 Pre-arrival Processing  B 1 September  2019 1 September  2019 - 
Article  7.2 Electronic Payment  A - - - 
Article  7.3 Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  B 1 March  2019 1 March  2019 - 
Article  7.4 Risk Management  A - - - 
Article  7.5 Post-clearance Audit  B 1 March  2019 1 March  2019 - 
Article  7.6 Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 1 September  2019 9 April 2021 1. Consultancy assistance for surveying 
the goods release process.  
2. Technical assistance in the 
management and periodic publication 
of average goods release times.  
Article  7.7 Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 1 September  2020 1 September  2020 1. Follow up on the project for 
implementation of the Authorized 
Economic Operator Programme, 
which is currently in the pilot phase 
within the National Customs 
Directorate. The Directorate is 
requesting WCO assistance for 
implementation of the project.  
Article  7.8 Expedited Shipments  C 1 September  2018 1 September  2022 1. Develop, with independent 
consultancy assistance, a simplified 
facilitation procedure for expedited 
export shipments.  
Article  7.9 Perishable Goods  B 1 March  2019 1 March  2019 - 
Article  8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 1 March  2021 1 September  2024 1. Conduct an assessment of the 
number of private ports in existence, 
as well as of their operating 
conditions and certification, to enable 
the Naval Prefecture to carry out its  
  G/TFA/N/PRY/1/Add.2  
 
- 5 - Provision  Heading/Description  Categor y 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)  
task of monitoring the operating 
conditions of private ports.  
2. Effective and trans parent 
implementation of risk management.  
3. Technical cooperation to review the 
regulatory framework governing 
public and private ports and 
establishing responsibilities in regard 
to river navigability (Law 1066/65).  
4. Expediting of red -channel inspections 
at public and private access points.  
Article  9 Movement of Goods Intended for Import under Customs Control  
 A - - - 
Article  10 Formalities Connected with Importation, Exportation and Transit  
Article  10.1 Formalities and Documentation 
Requirements  B 1 September  2019 1 September  2019 - 
Article  10.2 Acceptance of Copies  A - - - 
Article  10.3 Use of International Standards  A - - - 
Article  10.4 Single Window  A - - - 
Article  10.5 Preshipment Inspection  A - - - 
Article  10.6 Use of Customs Brokers  A - - - 
Article  10.7 Common Border Procedures and Uniform 
Documentation Requirements  B 1 September  2019 1 September  2019 - 
Article  10.8 Rejected Goods  A - - - 
Article  10.9 Temporary Admission of Goods and Inward 
and Outward Processing  A - - - 
Article  11 Freedom of Transit  
 A - - - 
Article  12 Customs Cooperation  
 A - - - 
 
__________  