Trade facilitation

Trade facilitation comprises measures that simplify and speed customs procedures and the movement of goods across borders, often through transparent rules and coordinated processes.

World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement: A multilateral agreement that sets rules for expediting the movement, release, and clearance of goods in international trade. It converts trade-facilitation principles into commitments on transparency, border procedures, and cooperation.
Customs: The government authority responsible for controlling goods crossing borders and collecting duties and taxes. Customs administrations carry out many procedures that facilitation measures seek to simplify.
Trade facilitation in landlocked developing countries: Policies that reduce transit delays and costs for countries without direct access to the sea. These countries depend especially on efficient transit procedures through neighboring states.
Trade costs: The monetary and nonmonetary costs of moving goods and services between producers and consumers across borders. Shorter clearance times and simpler compliance directly reduce several components of these costs.
Tariff: A tax imposed on imported or exported goods, usually collected by customs. Tariffs change the price of trade; facilitation changes the procedures and time required.
Single window (trade): A system that lets traders submit standardized information through one entry point to participating government agencies. It replaces repeated submissions to separate border agencies with coordinated processing.
Customs valuation: The determination of the value of imported goods for calculating customs duties and taxes. Predictable valuation rules prevent disputes and unexpected delays at clearance.
Transit trade: The movement of goods through one or more territories between their origin and destination. Simplified transit procedures reduce the time and expense of crossing intermediate borders.
Trade competitiveness: The ability of firms or economies to compete successfully in domestic and international markets. Reliable border procedures make delivery times and export costs more competitive.
Non-tariff measure: A policy other than a tariff that can affect international trade in goods. Many non-tariff measures regulate products, while facilitation targets the processes for moving them.

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