Single Window Systems

In the OIC Member States

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 data

”

, and the WCO published the WCO SW

Compendium 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

WTO

Members to establish or maintain a national Single Window.

Countries also commit to regional Single Window initiatives that aim for the establishment of a

national Single Windows, and regional Single Windows. Examples of such initiatives are: the

ASEAN Single Window, the Eurasian Economic Union initiative, 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

WCO, Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Trade (SAFE), Adopted 2005

The wording “shall endeavour” arguably only signals preferred behaviour rather than a strong legal obligation.