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