Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA/TFA)
WTO agreement to speed up and simplify global customs procedures, in force since 2017.
Trade Facilitation Agreement (AFE/TFA)
The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is a multilateral WTO agreement that entered into force on February 22, 2017. It aims to accelerate the movement, release and customs clearance of goods across the world.
Main provisions
- Publication and transparency: obligation to publish customs laws, regulations and procedures
- Advance rulings: right to obtain binding decisions on classification and origin
- Expedited release: expedited processing of express shipments and perishable shipments
- Single window: creation of single entry points for required documents
- Customs cooperation: exchange of information between administrations
Special and differential treatment
Developing countries can implement the agreement gradually, with three categories of commitments (A: immediate, B: after transitional period, C: with technical assistance).
Economic impact
The WTO estimates that full implementation of the TFA could reduce trade costs by 14.3% on average and increase global exports by USD 1 trillion per year.
Importance for Africa
The TFA is particularly relevant for African countries where customs clearance times often remain high. The AfCFTA incorporates the trade facilitation principles of the TFA.