   
  
G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
20 December 2019  
(19-8916) Page: 1/11 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: French  
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF CATE GORY COMMITMENTS UND ER 
THE AGREEMENT ON TRA DE FACILITATION  
COMMUNICATION FROM T HE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC  
Addendum  
The following communica tion, dated  19 December 2019 , is being circulated at th e request of the 
delegation of  the Central African Republic  for Members' informa tion. 
 
_______________  
 
 
Further to the notification dated 28 May 2019, the Central African Republic hereby makes the 
following notifications regarding  Articles 15 and 16 of the Trade Facilitat ion Agreement (WT/L/931).  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 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  B 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  - 
Article 1.2  Information Available through Internet  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Creation of a trade intelligence portal 
(TIP).  This portal will become the interface 
of the single window provided for in Article 
10.4 of the TFA. Interactive connection of  
TIP with  customs (ASYCUDA World), 
commercial banks, the BEAC, sectoral 
ministries (see below), the Ministry of 
Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce 
(CCIMA), exporting companies, forward ers 
(customs agents), the Central African Road 
Charter Bureau (BARC), the Central 
African Shippers' Council, the 
standardization agency, and any 
stakeholder in the foreign trade chain . NB: 
BARD  is already connected to the 
Cameroonian Fore ign Trade Single Window 
(GUCE) managed by the Cameroonian 
Ministry of Commerce, but the latter 
currently only manages imports from the 
Central African Republic and not its 
exports.  Assistance in enhancing 
interaction with users (Q&A system) . 
Assistance in enabling all structures to 
provide input  to the system . Provision of 
facilities  and a server, and training of the 
focal points responsible for maintaining 
TIP. Lead donor : Enhanced Integrated 
Framework /WB/WTO. 
2. Support for enhancing  (bandwidth) the 
Ministry  of Agriculture and Rural 
Development website (a website already 
exists : www.madr -rca.org ), in 
collaboration with the FAO, WB and ADB, 
which would also include all the bodies 
directly responsible for agricultural exports 
and imports, such as the Central African 
Agency for the Monitoring, Packaging and 
Marketing of Agricultural Products 
(ORCCCPA) like coffee and cacao, the  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 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)  
National Cotton Office  (ONC), the National 
Seed Office, the Office in charge of  food 
security  and the Institute responsible for 
phytosanitary control . Provision of facilities  
and training of the focal points responsible 
for maintaining the website.  Interactive 
connection of the website  with TIP . Lead 
donor:  FAO/WB/ADB  /WTO. 
3. Support for creating  a website for the 
Ministry of Water and Forests, Hunting and 
Fishing , connected to TIP, with assistance 
from the VPA STP (EU FLEGT) and Forest 
Data Centre ( CDF), and linked to 
COMIFAC. Publication of timber export 
conditions (setting of export market 
values)  on the website . Provision of 
facilities  and training of officials.  
Interactive connection of the website with 
TIP. Lead donor: EU  FLEGT/FAO/ WTO. 
4. Support for  creating  a website for the 
Ministry of Livestock and Animal Health, 
with the OIE. Provision of facilities  and 
training  of the focal points responsible for 
maintaining the website . Connection to the 
portal. Lead donor : OIE/ WTO. 
5. Support for  the website of t he Ministry 
responsible for mines, with the  Permanent 
Secretariat of the Kimberley , and 
connection to TIP . Inclusion of mining 
companies and mining cooperatives on the 
website of the Special Anti -Fraud Unit 
(USAF)  of the Bureau for the Valuation and 
Control of Diamonds and Gold  (BECDOR) . 
Provision of facilities  and training  of the 
focal points responsible for maintaining the 
website. Connection to the portal. Lead 
donor : SPPK/ WTO. 
Article 1.3  Enquiry Points  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Support for establishing  enquiry points 
linked to the National Trade Facilitation 
Committee (CNFE) in all the ministerial 
departments and institutions forming the 
CNFE, particularly  in the Ministry of Trade  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 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)  
and Industry, at customs, and in the 
Ministries in charge of  Agriculture, Water 
and Forest s, Livestock, Mines , and 
Transport. Assistance in training two 
persons  per enquiry point. Assistance in 
providing persons responsible for  enquiry 
points with the necessary computer 
equipment . 
Article 1.4  Notification  C 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  1. Assistance in training persons responsible 
for enquiry points in how to make 
notification s to the WTO. Support for 
establishing or upgrading the focal point 
for Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) , and 
a focal point for Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), at the 
Ministries of Agriculture, Water and 
Forest s, and Livestock.  
Article 2  Opportunity  to Comment, Information before Entry into Force and Consultations  
Article 2.1  Opportunity to Comment and Information 
Before Entry into Force  A - - - 
Article 2.2  Consultations  A - - - 
Article 3  Advance Rulings  
 C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Workshops on raising awareness of the 
advance ruling mechanism (WTO/WCO).  
2. Capacity -building on origin , type of tariff  
and value (WTO/WCO ). 
3. Assistance in implementing the legal 
framework and infrastructure for advance 
rulings (WTO/WCO ). 
4. Financial su pport for the internal and 
external extension of  the advance ruling 
mechanism (WTO). 
5. Assistance in implementing a 
computerized system to manage the 
advance ruli ngs programme , with a view 
to making customs procedures paperless 
(WCO/UNCTAD).   
Article 4  Procedures for Appeal or Review  
 A - - -  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 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 5  Other Measures to Enhance Impartiality, Non -Discrimination and Transparency  
Article 5.1  Notification for Enhanced Controls or 
Inspections  A - - - 
Article 5.2  Detention  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Funding for migration of customs from 
ASYCUDA ++ to ASYCUDA World 
(UNCTAD, WB and WTO);  
2. Assistance for customs and licensed  
customs clearing agents in connecting 
non-automated offices , with a view to 
formalizing a procedure to inform  licensed  
customs clearing agents of the detention 
of cargo for inspection (UNCTAD, WB and 
WTO);  
3. Assistance for  other government border 
agencies (procedures, automated 
processing system) , with a view to 
making arrangements for formal 
notification, as soon as possible, of the 
goods inspection to be conducted 
(UNCTAD, WB and WTO);  
4. Funding for training of domestic act ors 
(ADB, WB and WTO);  
5. Assistance for customs in improving 
automatic selection for inspections (% of 
the various g reen, yellow and r ed 
channels ) (UNCTAD, WB, WCO and WTO) ; 
6. Assistance for Central African Customs in 
implementing comprehensive risk 
management (WB, UNCTAD, WCO and 
WTO);  
7. Funding to purchase non -intrusive 
inspection equipment (scanners etc.) 
(WB, WTO and ADB) . 
Article 5.3  Test Procedures  B 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  - 
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 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  -  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 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 6.2  Specific Disciplines on Fees and Charges 
for Customs Processing Imposed on or in 
Connection with Importation and 
Exportation  B 31 December 2022  31 December 2022  - 
Article 6.3  Penalty Disciplines  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Assistance with legal expertise to bring the 
legislative framework  into line with the TFA 
(WCO/WTO).  
2. Financial support for workshops on 
extending the measure (WCO/WTO).  
3. Implementation of an incentive strategy to 
compensate for the loss of drawbacks  due 
to penalties (WCO/ WTO/MINFI).  
Article 7  Release and Clearance of Goods  
Article 7.1  Pre-arrival Processing  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Technical assistance in implementing the 
regulatory framework integrating all 
border agencies (WCO/WTO).  
2. Financial support for workshops on raising 
awareness  and extension of  regulations 
(WCO/WTO).  
3. Technical assistance in implementing a risk 
management system (WCO – technical 
support /WTO – funding ). 
4. Support for establishing  an advance 
passenger information (API/PNR) 
mechanism (WCO ). 
Article 7.2  Electronic Payment  C 31 December 2024  To be determined  1. Assistance in setting up the legal 
framework for electronic payment 
(electronic signature) 
(WCO/UNCTAD/EDIFACT, WTO).  
2. Funding to interfac e ASYCUDA and the 
Treasury and the banking systems to 
enable customs to accept credit card 
payments (WCO/UNCTAD/EDIFACT, 
WTO).  
3. Funding to train customs and treasury 
officials in electronic payment systems 
(WCO/UNCTAD/EDIFACT, WTO).  
Article 7.3  Separation of Release from Final 
Determination of Customs Duties, Taxes, 
Fees and Charges  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Financial support for workshops on raising 
awareness  and extension of  the measure 
(WTO/WCO ).  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 7 - 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)  
2. Assistance in putting in place  legislation 
and administrative arrangements that 
reflect the principles contained in the WCO 
Guidelines for the Immediate Release of 
Consignments by Customs (Immediate 
Release Guidelines) (WCO/WTO).  
Article 7.4  Risk Management  C 31 December 2024  To be determined  1. Assistance with benchmarking in a 
member country of the WCO -WCA region, 
e.g. Burkina Faso (WTO).  
2. Technical assistance in developing an 
inter-agency risk management strategy 
and an institutional framework with 
mechanisms for sharing risk-related data 
and information (WCO).  
3. Technical assistance in setting up  the legal 
framework for risk management and 
selective examinations  relating to the 
automated clearance system (WCO). 
4. Capacity -building for the competent 
authorities on risk management 
(WCO/UNCTAD); capacity -building on the 
WCO Guidelines for Post -Clearance Audit 
for the post -clearance structure 
(WCO/ WTO).  
5. Financial support to ensure that  risk 
criteria is regularly reviewed and updated 
(WTO).  
6. Funding of migration to ASYCUDA World 
and, in particular , its single window module 
(WTO/UNCTAD).  
Article 7.5  Post-clearance Audit  A - - - 
Article 7.6  Establishment and Publication of Average 
Release Times  C 31 December 2021  To be determined  1. Assistance in organizing a workshop on the 
time r elease study  (TRS) with all border 
agencies (WCO).  
2. Training of the multidisciplinary TRS team 
in the use of WCO software and planning of 
the TRS (WCO).  
3. Assistance in conducting the TRS and 
publishing its findings 
(WTO/ADB/AFRIBANK/ WB).  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 8 - 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 7.7  Trade Facilitation Measures for Authorized 
Operators  C 31 December 2024  To be determined  1. Assistance with a training workshop for all 
stakeholders on the concepts of authorized 
economic operators and authorized 
operators.  
2. Assistance with benchmarking in a country 
that has already implemented the measure 
(WTO).  
3. Assistance in providing (for at least three 
months) an expert to bring the legal 
framework into conformity and to set up  
authorized operator and authorized 
economic operator programmes 
(WCO/WTO).  
Article 7.8  Expedited Shipments  C 31 December 2024  To be determined  1. Assistance in establishing, through a legal 
text, (based on the WCO Immediate 
Release Guidelines) the criteria for prior 
authorization to use expedited release 
procedures ; and in publishing such criteria  
(criteria for eligibility for the procedure  / 
definition of documents and basic 
information required at the time of 
clearing ) (WCO).  
2. Assistance in establishing an automated 
goods declaration system to accommodate 
the expedited shipment channel 
(WCO/UNCTAD).  
Article 7.9  Perishable Goods  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Funding for electricity supply points for 
refrigerated containers and perishable 
goods (WTO, WB and ADB).  
2. Assistance in establishing formal 
procedures between border agencies to  
ensure  that examination and release of 
perishable goods are carried out as a 
matter of priority  (WCO/WTO/UNCTAD and 
WB). 
3. Funding to train customs and other border 
agents in procedures for the expedited 
release and clearance of perishable goods 
(WB, ADB, WCO and WTO).   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 9 - 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)  
4. Funding for appropriate facilities for the 
storage of perishable goods pending their 
release (WB, WTO and ADB).  
Article 8  Border Agency Cooperation  
 C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Assistance in establishing memorand ums 
of understanding between customs and 
border agencies to define the remit of each 
entity and possible  cooperation to ensure  
effective  coordinated border management 
(CBM, including exchange of information 
and intelligence; exercise of joint 
operations and controls; common risk 
manage ment; sharing of equipment and 
facilities ) (WB/W CO/WTO).  
2. Assistance in establishing, allocating 
resources to  and funding  the National  
Trade Facilitation Committee . Providing the 
Committee with resources to ensure the 
coordination, steering and implementation 
of the TFA (WTO and WCO).  
3. Assistance in training of border agen ts in 
inter-agency cooperation requirements 
and procedures (WTO and WCO).  
4. Funding of single window border post 
facilities  (WB/ECCAS ). 
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  C 31 December 2022  - 1. Putting in place the legislative framework  
(e.g. by means of a decree, as the Central 
African Republic  has ratified the Revised 
Kyoto Convention) providing for 
mandatory procedures for the periodic 
review , by customs,  of documentation 
requirements and import, export and 
transit formalities , in collaboration with all  
the bodies involved in these processes.  
2. Ensur ing that these procedures  provide  for 
the invitation of the private sector to these 
periodic reviews. Currently , every quarter, 
customs invites forwa rders and private  
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 10 - 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)  
sector representatives to informal 
discussions  on an ad hoc basis . 
3. Assistance in training agent  in how to 
develop  document analysis methods and 
formalities in order to reduce their negative 
impact on trade . 
4. The new legislative framework must 
establish procedures to amend the relevant 
legislation if certain formalities or 
documents are no longer required. E.g. the 
Observatory of Procedures of 
Madagascar/WTO.  
5. Assistance in setting up an office at 
customs to coo rdinate the process. Lead 
donor: WCO/WTO.  
Article 10.2  Acceptance of Copies  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Assistance in introducing legislation 
authorizing customs and other border 
agencies to accept copies of supporting 
documents required for import, export and 
transit formalities in place of the original, 
subject to any exceptions or conditions 
that may be j ustified (WTO and WCO).  
2. Assistance for customs in transcribing TFA 
provisions on acceptance of copies 
(WCO/CEMAC/WTO).  
3. Funding to train customs and other border 
agents  in the new regulations on 
acceptance of copies (WTO, WCO and 
CEMAC).  
Article 10.3  Use of International Standards  C 31 December 2022  To be determined  1. Assistance in reviewing domestic 
procedures, rules and regulations and 
bringing them into line with international 
conventions (regional and multilateral 
framework) (WCO/WTO).  
2. Support for participation in meetings on 
the development and updating of 
international standards (WCO, AU, CEMAC, 
ECCAS and WCO).  
3. Assistance in transcribing international 
standards in to domestic legislation (WTO, 
CEMAC, ECCAS and WCO).   
  G/TFA/N/CAF/1/Add.2  
 
- 11 - 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 10.4  Single Window  A - - - 
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  A - - - 
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  
 C 31 December 2024  To be determined  1. Assistance in establishing a legal 
framework that encourages  customs, 
subject to mutual arrangements 
established and ratified by States, to 
exchange intelligence  on the prevention, 
investigation and punishment of customs 
offences, and on  the fight against 
intellectual crime, including money 
laundering , with similar administrations of 
foreign countries and with international 
organizations dealing with customs or 
trade matters  (transit countries/WTO).  
2. Designation and training of an entity and 
agents  specifica lly responsible for matters 
relating to cooperation and international 
mutual assistance agreements (IMAA  and 
WCO).  
3. Assistance in implementing the WCO 
guidelines on international transit of 
landlocked countries (WCO/WTO).  
4. Assistance in signing bilateral tra nsit 
facilitation protocols with neighbouring 
countries . 
 
__________  