Border agencies are implementing unprecedented measures to expedite the import, export and transit of goods while facing restrictive measures imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).UNCTAD).
El report titled, “How countries can leverage trade facilitation to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic”, highlights the need to protect public health while minimizing disruptions to trade as a result of the pandemic. The text underscores the need to ensure that relief goods and other essential products can move freely across borders, and describes crowded border posts and longer truck lines leading to delays during a time when efficiency and speed are of paramount importance in responding to the pandemic.
To address such challenges, the report presents solutions trade facilitation in areas related to 1) process optimization, 2) cost reduction, 3) improving transparency and cooperation, and 4) full use of technology to ensure that cross-border trade continues while reducing face-to-face interaction. The report underlines the importance of government policies and measures, joint efforts by public and private entities, and cooperation with regional and international partners. It concludes that at the national level, trade facilitation committees could act as a focal point to coordinate the initial response to the pandemic and lead to greater cooperation at the regional and international levels. The document also details examples of measures that countries are implementing in these four areas.
Respecto a process optimization, the report highlights measures to expedite and streamline the release and clearance of essential goods, namely:
- streamline import procedures to ensure aid reaches those on the frontlines fighting COVID-19 through, inter alia, pre-arrival processing, fast-tracking, release on arrival and prioritisation of relief supplies;
- implement relaxation procedures, such as simplifying goods declarations, minimising requirements, providing flexibility with respect to inspections and ensuring that low-risk shipments enjoy greater flexibility;
- establish temporary admission of medical, surgical and laboratory equipment;
- provide greater flexibility regarding traffic measures that may be affected by COVID-19 traffic procedures, such as health screening for drivers.
Regarding thecost reduction for merchantsThe report proposes flexibility regarding payments, interest and guarantees, such as deferring tax and tariff payments without interest charges, as well as tariff reductions.
For the purpose of increase transparency, the report emphasizes the need for timely and accurate information, recommending the page dedicated to COVID-19 on the website of UCTAD ,as well as in the World Customs Organization (OMA), which compiles up-to-date trade-related information, and publishes a regularly updated list of countries that have adopted temporary export restriction measures on medical supplies in response to the pandemic.
On strengthening cooperation, UNCTAD urges customs agencies to coordinate and cooperate within and between countries to ensure that critical goods reach consumers and hospitals, particularly in coastal and landlocked countries. The report highlights country case studies that illustrate national, regional and international coordination to address the consequences of the pandemic.
Finally, the report highlights that the full use of information and communications technology (ICT) ensures the continuity of cross-border trade and reduces direct contact between people, including by enabling cross-border agencies and traders to electronically send and exchange data and documentation, and by computerizing procedures to expedite the clearance of imports, exports, transits and other commercial transactions.
However, the report notes, inequalities in digital readiness prevent large parts of the world from taking advantage of technologies that help cope with the pandemic, particularly least developed countries (LDCs), which are the most vulnerable to the human and economic consequences of the pandemic. The report therefore calls for greater attention and a coordinated multilateral response to help overcome digital divides.
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