Single Window Systems
In the OIC Member States
8
TFA), mandate governments to adopt national Single Windows. The WCO SAFE Framework
adopted in 2005 urges governments to adopt a Single Window system “for the single
transmission to a sole designated point by international supply chain participants, including AEOs,
of all relevant transport and cargo data9”, and theWCO published the WCO SWCompendium and
implementation guidelines to assist its members in the implementation.
The WTO TFA is the most comprehensive legal instrument on trade facilitation currently
available. All WTO Members have signed off the Agreement in December 2013 – although not
ratified it yet – and it contains rules in many areas from transparency, consultation and
cooperation, appeal and review procedures, customs procedures, formalities, customs
cooperation, transit procedures and formalities. Article 10.4 of the WTO TFA urges 10 WTO
Members to establish or maintain a national Single Window.
Countries also commit to regional Single Window initiatives that mandate the establishment of
a national SW and collaboration between members States for a regional Single Window.
Examples are: ASEAN Single Window, Eurasian Economic Union, and the EU Single Window.
1.2. Single Window Functionalities
Single Windows for Trade are platforms for the electronic exchange of information for trade
related processes. They integrate procedures and business processes from several
organisational entities and offer trade related services covering activities such as government
licenses, port procedures, physical movement of goods, and invoicing and payment.
1.2.1. Single Window Services and Users
A Single Window is an interface or hub between traders and trade intermediaries and
government agencies (B2G2B), private service providers (B2B2B), and government agencies
(G2G) – see the high level diagram o
9 WCO, Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Trade (SAFE), Adopted 2005
10 The wording “shall endeavour” arguably only signals preferred behaviour rather than a strong legal obligation.