1. Single Window To enhance the exchange of information between trade and government
Tom Butterly Deputy Chief, Global Trade Solutions United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT)

2. Agenda
Single Window Concept
UN/CEFACT Single Window Recommendations

3. WHY is TF a tool for development?
Enquiry Validation
Credit Arrangements
Refund claim
Long Lead
items
Export Licence
Short Lead Components
Delivery to port
Documentation
Dehire GKN pallets
Delivery to customers warehouse
Unload and store
Retail sale
Payment by customer
Payment of
transport
and FOB
charges
Cost
Invoice and order administration
Unload, re-
pack
Delivery to customs warehouse
Exit clearance from community
Refund payment and administration 12 13 15 16 19 21
Weeks
(approx)
Main vessel loading
Sea Crossing
Main vessel off-loading
Artwork
Order receipt and administration
Request Health Certificates, Licences
Pre-shipment Inspection
Customs formalities (Inland)
Manufacture
Load and despatch
Proof of export
Inwards clearance
WHY is TF a tool for development?
Trade facilitation allows to increase added value to the products and reduce cost – the green curve

4. Single Window Approach
Single Window Concept
Single Window Approach
FROM TO
One-stop solution offering official control with trade facilitation

5. Research into existing Single Window Facilities and future needs 2003 - 2006
UN/CEFACT Recommendation 33 – Single Window and Guidelines
UN/CEFACT Recommendation 34 – Data Harmonization (Draft)
UN/CEFACT Recommendation 35 – Legal Framework for a Single Window (Draft)

6. International Standards Supporting the Single Window
Rec 33, 34,35
Single Window
Cross Border Data Exchange
UNeDocs, WCO DM, CBRDM
National Data Harmonization
UNTDED, CC, UN Locode, UN code lists, UNeDocs, Rec 34
Document Simplification and Standardization
UN Layout Key, Master Document,
UNTDED, TF Toolkit and Forms Repository
Process Analysis and Simplification
Business/Political Process Collaboration Between Trader and Government (UN/CEFACT Rec. 4, Rec. 18), UMM, UN/CEFACT International Supply Chain Reference model, GFP Audit Methodology, Revised Kyoto Convention, WCO Audit,Time Release Study, etc

7. UN/CEFACT Single Window Recommendation No
UN/CEFACT Single Window Recommendation No Calls on Governments to establish a Single Window with the following features:
Allow traders to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements
If information is electronic then it need only be submitted once
Allow for the sharing of information amongst government agencies in respect of international trade transactions

8. Recommendation 33 (continued):
Provide coordinated controls and inspections of the various governmental authorities.
Allow payment of duties and other charges
Be a source of trade related government information
Recommendation includes a set of Guidelines for the establishment of a Single Window

9. Guidelines on establishing a Single Window
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

10. Guidelines on establishing a Single Window - 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

11. UN/CEFACT Single Window Repository Case Studies on existing Single Window facilities
Finland
Germany
Guatemala
Hong Kong SAR China
Mauritius
Japan
Malaysia
Senegal
Singapore
Sweden
United States
Ghana

12. Diversity of SW models: adopting to specific national/regional conditions and requirements
Financing
By the State (Finland, Sweden, United States),
By the private sector (e.g. Guatemala, Germany)
Private-public partnership (e.g. China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Senegal, Singapore)
The use of Single Window
Compulsory (Finland, Guatemala, Mauritius, Senegal)
Voluntary (China, Germany, Malaysia, Sweden, United States)

13. Diversity of SW models - continued
Service Fees
Free on charge (Finland, Sweden, United States)
Paid based on various payment schemes (Guatemala, Germany, China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Senegal, Singapore)

14. Costs and Benefits of a Single Window
Benefits for government and trade
Faster processes, clearance and release
Reduced costs of compliance
Reduced corruption
Reduction in bureaucratic processes
Better collection of government revenues
Improved trader compliance
risk management techniques for control and enforcement purposes
Predictable application and explanation of rules
Implementation costs
From less than one million US dollars (Guatemala) to
Between 1and 4 million dollars (Finland, Senegal, Malaysia).
In the US, the cost was significantly higher but the system is quite extensive and covers many additional areas.
Benefits outweigh costs ……

15. Key factors for success
Strong leadership, which can come from the private (Guatemala) or the public sector (Australia, Korea, Malaysia, Senegal, United States, Singapore)
Cooperation and commitment of all stakeholders, private and public (Finland, Mauritius, Malaysia, Senegal, United States, Singapore)
User-friendly system, which do not create complications for usual business procedures (Malaysia, Sweden, Senegal, United States)
Investments in modern technologies (Guatemala, Malaysia)
Phased, flexible approach (Germany, Mauritius, Singapore)

16. Main obstacles in implementation
Political Will - Establishing cooperation and commitment of various state authorities involved in import/export procedures (Finland, USA)
Changing the established business and State practices (Malaysia, Senegal, Singapore, United States)
Modernizing the technologies currently used by the State and the private sector (Guatemala), and small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular (Sweden).

17. Single Window Approach
Exchange of information
between Single Windows
Single Window Approach
Need for International Standards

18. UN/CEFACT Recommendation 34 Data Harmonization and Standardization
Use the DMs to develop harm. multilateral msg. specs. in UN/EDIFACT or XML format
Combine national subsets into a multilateral subset of the CBRDM
Map the standardized national data set to a UN/CEFACT Core Component based cross border data model WCO Data Model, UNeDocs, CBRDM
Standardize the harmonized national data set by mapping to the UNTDED - ISO 7374
Consolidate the national data into a harmonized national trade data set
Collect data and prepare a national trade data inventory

20. Recommendation 35 – Legal Framework
Checklist of legal issues in Single Window implementation and interoperability
Model Consortium Agreement
Model End-User Agreement
Guidelines with step-by-step description and examples for the implementation of the legal framework

21. Regional Single Window Initiatives
Also working with regional Single Window initiatives, such as
ASEAN
APEC
European Commission
Key to regional initiatives is International Standards

22. Follow-up
All UNECE Recommendations, codes, standards and publications are available for free on our website at: