UNECE
Trade Facilitation Norms, Standards and
Recommendations for Policy Makers
Geneva, May 2011
UNECE Works to Facilitate Trade Flows
 Simplified and harmonized
trade documents,
processes, procedures flows
throughout the supply chain
 Globally agreed data
standards
 Increased transparency and
public/private partnership in
the design of trade
documents, procedure and
processes
2
Priorities for Trade Facilitation Policies in
the 21st Century
Four major drivers in trade facilitation policies




Globalization
Security
Trade agreements
Information
3
Example of UNECE Trade Facilitation
Tools and Standards
 Implementation of Single Windows for Cross
Border Trade
 Paperless Trade: Simplification and Automation of
Processes and Data in Supply Chains
4
Streamlining trade information:
The Single Window Concept
FROM
TO
PORT
HEALTH
CUSTOMS
WHARFINGER
PORT
HEALTH
CARRIER
CUSTOMS
HAULIER
1
0
0
CARRIER
WHARFINGER
HAULIER
Single
Window
CUSTOMS
BROKER
PORT
AUTHORITY
LINE
AGENT
CONSIGNEE
CUSTOMS
BROKER
PORT
AUTHORITY
LINE
AGENT
CONSIGNEE
CONSIGNOR
CONSIGNOR
Mountains of paper
Up to 30 % mistakes
One time submission, re-use
of information, co-ordinated
control
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The Challenge of implementing Single Window
There are a lot of obstacles
to be overcome.
Trade Facilitation Vision
Many Document Requirements
Complicated Trade Procedures
Laws and Regulations
Connectivity within
Many Stakeholders
the country
Compliance
Difficulties in trade Many different ICT systems
Governance
data exchange
Conflicts of Interest
Regional Connectivity
People and Business
Inadequacy in Technology Infrastructure
Unpreparedness
Change Management
System Development Barriers in
Interoperability
Reality
UNECE Instruments to Establish a Single
Window
 UN/CEFACT Recommendation & Guidelines on Establishing
a Single Window (Recommendation No 33)
 UN/CEFACT Recommendation 34 - Data Simplification &
Standardization for International Trade
 UN/CEFACT Recommendation 35 - Establishing a Legal
Framework for an International Single Window
 Single Window Implementation Framework (SWIF) for policy
makers and managers
 Capacity building: Policy makers, Government officials and
private sector
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Example of UNECE Trade Facilitation
Tools and Standards
 Implementation of Single Windows for Cross
Border Trade
 Paperless Trade: Simplification and Automation of
Processes and Data in Supply Chains
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Paperless Trade: A Stepwise Approach
Data Model and
Paperless Trade
Data Analysis and
Simplification
Document
Simplification
Business Process
Analysis and
Simplification
Develop electronic
documents
Analyse information
in the documents
Simplify paper
documents
Understand and
simplify business
processes
Business Process Analysis
Objective: Document, analyse and simplify
business processes
 Is a structured analysis and description of the
Business Process in the Supply Chain
 Captures time, costs, delays,..
 Starting point to improve and automate the
process
 Creates a shared understanding of the supply
chain and the interests of the actors
Standards and tools: UNECE Guide for BPA, UML,
UNECE/CEFACT Modelling Methodology, ..
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Analyse Business Processes
Stakeholders
Reviewing and
Approving
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Source: Inova, Thailand
Document Simplification
Objective: harmonise, simplify, standardise
documents and data
 Align documents to international standard:
United Nations Layout Key (UNLK)
 Use international accepted codes for trade data:
UN Code list recommendations
 Reduce number of documents and signature
requirements
Standards &Tools: UN Layout Key, ECE/CEFACT
Recommendations, WCO, IATA,...
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Simplified documents: common
structure, layout, definitions and
codes
Data Analysis and Simplification
UNTDED
3238: Country of Origin
Def.: Name of the country in
which the goods have been
produced or manufactured,
according to criteria laid down for
the application of the Customs
tariff or quantitative restrictions,
or measures related to trade.
Standards &Tools: UN/TDED (ISO 7273),
WCO Data Elements, ECE/CEFACT
Recommendations,...
Example - Data Harmonization of four
documents (Exporting Rice)
Request form for
Permit for the export
of rice
Request Form for
Rice Quality
Certificate
Permit for the export
of rice
Rice Quality
Certificate
24 Data
Elements
63 Data
Elements
30 Data
Elements
Standardization and
Data Harmonization
Standardized
Data Set for
documents
(70 Data
Elements)
38 Data
Elements
Standardization and Harmonization can reduce the data elements
from 24+63+30+38=155 data elements
to 70 data elements using UNTDED
Source: KU-INOVA, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Data Model and Digital Documents
A Data Model is a logical model of
the information used in cross border
trade
 Delivers the specifications for
electronic documents
Standards: UNECE Core
Component Library (CCL), WCO
Data Model
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Using a Data Model to establish
regional Data Exchange
Country A
Regional Agreement
TDED
Business Process Analsysis
Common Data Model
(WCO DM)
Data Standardization
Regional Data Model
Data Standardization
Business Process Analysis
TDED
Country B
Summary
 Trade Facilitation can provide a framework of
rules, trust, efficiency and automation
 Strategy: Analysis  simplification 
standardization  automation
 Benefits come from trade facilitation and
electronic business
 New trade facilitation instruments can provide the
basis for cross border information exchange
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Thank you
Virginia.Cram-Martos@unece.org
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