UN CEFACT
Single Window Recommendation
Simplifying International Trade
Gordon Cragge
Chair – International Trade Procedures Working
Group (TBG 15 of UN CEFACT)
UN CEFACT
Vision: To deliver
Simple, Transparent and Effective Trading
Processes for Global Commerce
Global Remit – open to participation from all
countries, intergovernmental and business
organisations, and private sector
Focus is 3 main pillars of international trade:
– business processes and trade procedures
– data content, definitions and flow
– enabling information and communication
technologies
UN CEFACT International Supply
Chain Reference Model
Seller
Goods
Buy Ship Pay
Buyer Payment
UN CEFACT International Trade
Procedures Working Group (TBG15)
Objectives:
Identify, simplify, harmonise and align public
and private sector practices, procedures and
information flows in the international trade
transaction
Maintain existing and develop new UN
CEFACT Recommendations
Promote the adoption and implementation of
trade facilitation tools and techniques
Meeting regulatory requirements and
providing information to government
On a daily basis, business has to prepare and
submit increasing amounts of information;
• to various governmental authorities
• at different stages within the international
trade process; and
• via various communication routes (paper or
EDI)
• with each authority often having its own
specific (automated) systems and paper forms.
Meeting regulatory requirements and
providing information to government
The current Current Situation for Government & Traders
situation Trader Transport
Electronic Customs
Agriculture
Paper
Health Dept
Shipping Documentation
Passenger Crew Transport Health
Documents Documents Documents Certificates
IMO
Customs Ships
FAL
Forms Stores
Forms
IMO
Transport
Customs
Health
Shipping Documentation
Passenger Crew Transport Health
Documents Documents Documents Certificates
IMO
Customs Ships
FAL
Forms Stores
Forms
A single window
The new A 'Single Window' environment
approach - a
simple, one- Trader
Transport
stop solution
offering Single
official control
Customs
Electronic Window
with trade
facilitation. Agriculture
Paper
Health Dept
The Single Window Project
Approach
Survey of existing and planned Single Windows in
20 countries to determine:
– current practices;
– structures;
– products and services; and
– funding mechanisms.
Develop a UN CEFACT Recommendation and
Guide based on the research and analysis of the
survey results
NOW PUBLISHED!
UN CEFACT Recommendation 33
Governments and those involved in the
international trade and movement of goods to
consider implementing a Single Window facility
that allows:
parties to lodge standardised information and
documents with a single entry point to fulfil all
export, import and transit related regulatory
requirements
if the information is electronic, then individual
data elements should only be submitted once
UN CEFACT Recommendation 33
the sharing of all information supported by a
legal framework that provides privacy and
security in the exchange of information
co-ordinate the controls of the various
governmental authorities, where appropriate
facilities to receive payment of duties and other
charges
the single entry point to provide access to trade
related government information
UN CEFACT Recommendation 33
Proceed with the setting up of a Single Window
facility at the national level through a
collaborative effort with all relevant
governmental authorities and the business
community
Give full consideration to the guidelines attached to
the present recommendation in the establishment
of their Single Window facility
The Guide on the establishment of a
Single Window
The Guidelines
Overview description of a Single Window
Common models for a Single Window
Benefits of a Single Window
Practical steps in planning and implementing a
Single Window
Key factors for a successful Single Window
The Guide on the establishment of a
Single Window
The Annexes
Annex A: Single Window Models - examples of
existing or planned Single Windows
Annex B: Practical Steps for Planning &
Implementation
Annex C: Components of a Feasibility Study
Annex D: Tools & Techniques
Annex E: Signposts - contact details for
operational Single Windows and international
organisation projects
UN CEFACT Recommendation 33
Next Steps
UN CEFACT Recommendation 33
Next Steps
Develop a publicity pack
Presentations to interested organisations
Promotion at the Capacity Building Workshop for
Trade Facilitation Implementation
Monitor existing and developing Single Windows
to improve Guidelines
UN CEFACT Recommendation 33
Next Steps