China has become the 16th WTO member to formally accept the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Ambassador Jianhua Yu submitted China’s instrument of acceptance of the TFA to WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo on 4 September.
Concluded at the WTO’s 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference, the TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. It also sets out measures for effective cooperation between customs and other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and customs compliance issues. It further contains provisions for technical assistance and capacity building in this area.
This has been excerpted from a 4 September 2015 news release by the World Trade Organization and is available in its entirety at:
https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news15_e/fac_04sep15_e.htm