Trade facilitation and customs valuation
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WTO/WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies
So-called disruptive technologies such as blockchain the Internet of Things artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to transform border management and the conduct of international trade. This publication explores how these advanced technologies can be used to improve the efficiency of Customs processes and to ease the flow of goods across borders.
Holistic use of technologies for Smart Customs of the future
2021 has highlighted the critical role that Customs play in enabling global trade. To make the global supply chains of the future more efficient Smart Customs have to minimize Customs clearance time and costs while intelligently managing inbound and outbound goods and vehicles. Disruptive technologies such as IoT devices are enabling autonomous equipment to drive effective monitoring of cargo and tracking of journeys.
Foreword by the WTO Director General
We live in a time of rapid technological change that has the possibility of profoundly altering the conduct of international trade. For many people keeping up to date with the latest technology and fully understanding its implications can be daunting. This report will help illuminate the so-called “disruptive technologies” that are most relevant to border management as well as assist governments to better understand the challenges and benefits of their use by Customs.
Recommendations
This section provides a set of recommendations regarding the introduction and scaling up of technologies by Customs. These recommendations were provided by Customs the private sector and academia in discussions held on different occasions in the last four years including at the October 2017 Permanent Technical Committee the annual dialogue held between the Private Sector Consultative Group and the Policy Commission in June 2018 the WCO technology conferences and regional workshops on disruptive technologies held in 2021 and 2022 the WTO 2018 research workshop and the 2019 and 2021 Global Trade and Blockchain Forums.
Acknowledgements
The updated Study Report on Disruptive Technologies (2022) is the result of the collective effort of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariats working closely with the Member Customs administrations private sector representatives and other stakeholders. The Report was prepared by Milena Budimirovic Özlem Soysanlı Vyara Filipova and Lesego Mmolai from the WCO and Emmanuelle Ganne and Sheri Rosenow from the WTO. Research assistance was provided by Zakaria Imessaoudene from the WTO.
Background
Based on the proposal submitted by the WCO Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) delegates the Future of Customs topic was launched at the 207th/208th Sessions of the PTC in March 2015. This came as a result of discussions on the role of the PTC where it was agreed that the Committee would take a more active role in discussing strategic matters and future-oriented topics.
Introduction: “disruptive…” or (just) “emerging” technologies?
When we talk about “disruptive technologies” what exactly do we mean? According to the Cambridge Dictionary a disruptive technology is a new technology that completely changes the way things are done. Even though we cannot be certain which technologies will accomplish this in the future the public has over the past years broadly accepted “disruptive technologies” as a term which refers to blockchain the Internet of Things artificial intelligence virtual reality drones 3D printing and other cutting-edge technologies which are the subject of this Study Report.
Conclusion
The findings from the Study Report and the case studies provided in the Annex reflect a high level of Customs interest and activity in the testing and implementation of three groups of technologies in particular. Over half of the Members that responded to the WCO’s 2021 ACS are already using IoT AI and ML while only two respondents are currently deploying blockchain technology. Information on numerous pilot projects and PoCs shared by the Customs administrations and other stakeholders show the interest in expanding the use of these technologies as well as the confidence in the benefits they will bring to Customs in achieving its objectives and supporting cross-border trade.
Foreword by the WCO Secretary General
Understanding the need to keep abreast of developments in the field of disruptive technologies and to seek to understand the challenges and opportunities they bring to Customs and border management we are presenting an updated version of the Study Report on Disruptive Technologies. In the three years since it was first published it has served as an important source of information. However considering the numerous pilot projects and progress that has been achieved in the meantime we believe the time is right to provide an update to ensure that Members the trading community and other stakeholders are well informed about the latest developments on the ground that can further support implementation of WCO standards such as the Revised Kyoto Convention.
Cross-border Paperless Trade Toolkit
Using electronic documents and transactions can speed up and increase trade. Electronic messages can eliminate the need to enter data into a computer manually at each supply chain checkpoint and can provide opportunities for the potential reuse of data. This toolkit aims at raising awareness of the technical and legal tools to be called upon to adopt cross-border paperless trade systems and national single windows.
How to use this toolkit
This toolkit aims at raising awareness of the technical and legal tools to be called upon to adopt cross-border paperless trade systems and national single windows (NSWs).
Introduction
Using electronic documents and transactions can speed up and increase trade. Electronic messages can eliminate the need to enter data into a computer manually at each supply chain checkpoint and can provide opportunities for the potential reuse of data.
Acknowledgements
This work was started under the direction of WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and was overseen by Deputy Director-General Anabel González and Yuvan Beejadhur Senior Adviser to the Director-General.
Tackling illicit trade in medical products
WTO rules support efforts to address the threat of illicit trade in medical products by promoting transparency and predictability and setting the foundation for strengthened border and regulatory controls and enhanced cooperation. This publication explores WTO tools and activities that can help WTO members develop and strengthen their trade policy responses to combat illicit trade in medical products.
Foreword
I have long been concerned by illicit trade. As Finance Minister in my home country Nigeria I witnessed how it harms societies and impedes economic growth and development. Although the full scale of illicit trade is often obscured by its clandestine nature there is little doubt about its impacts. Spurious products threaten people’s health as well as their livelihoods. Illicit trade undermines legitimate business activity abets corruption and acts as a drain on the revenue and resources governments need to address critical social and economic priorities. And when illicit traders join forces with corrupt officials and financiers the negative impacts are amplified. Illicit trade leaves no country developing or developed untouched.
Big data, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning
Around half of customs authorities use some combination of big data analytics AI and machine learning while the other half plans to do so in the future. The majority of respondents see clear benefits from the technology where risk management and profiling fraud detection and greater compliance are the most prevalent.
The Role of Advanced Technologies in Cross-border Trade
This publication is a collaboration between the WCO and the WTO to gain a better understanding of how the latest advanced technologies can help customs authorities to contribute to trade facilitation and to shed light on the opportunities and challenges customs authorities face when deploying blockchain the internet of things big data data analytics artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Conclusion
The survey shows a high level of interest and activity in the testing and implementation of the three areas of advanced technology in customs authorities worldwide. Over half of respondents report using IoT AI and machine learning while only Argentina and Uruguay are currently deploying blockchain.
Internet of things
Members are experimenting with the use of IoT to fully automate bordercrossings and customs procedures in national ports. Other projects have introduced centralized X-ray image analysis across multiple scanning stations and the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas or e-seals to ensure traceability of goods and means of transport.
Blockchain and distributed ledger technology
Blockchain and DLT are still in an experimental phase for many customs authorities with around a third testing it through proofs of concept (PoCs) and pilot projects using mainly permissioned (i.e. private) blockchains. Only Argentina and Uruguay report full deployment of this technology.
Survey questions posed to WCO members in 2021
The WCO and the WTO jointly designed questions on advanced technologies to enhance the 2021 WCO Annual Consolidated Survey (ACS) which was distributed to 183 WCO members to provide a snapshot of the level of implementation by customs authorities of advanced technologies. This annex contains the eighteen questions which formed chapter 4 of the 2021 ACS.
Impact and ease of adoption of advanced technologies
The survey seeks to assess respondents’ expectations of the positive impacts that technology will have on customs operations in the future.
Securing cross-border trade through advanced technologies
Advanced technologies have already begun to automate global supply chains. However the scope and potential for using the latest technology to further facilitate cross-border trade is far greater and has been explored by international organizations the private sector academia and other stakeholders.
Easing Trade Bottlenecks of Landlocked Developing Countries
Without direct access to a sea or ocean and isolated from the world’s largest markets landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face many challenges to integrate into global supply chains. This report identifies specific trade bottlenecks in LLDCs which have increased trading costs lengthened the time to process goods at the border and restricted the movement of goods across borders. Compounded by the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic LLDCs have seen trade decline more sharply and for longer than the rest of the world. The report demonstrates the vital role the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) can play in boosting output and facilitating world trade by simplifying modernizing and harmonizing the movement release and clearance of goods. Participation in the TFA can broaden the opportunities for developing countries – and LLDCs in particular – to participate more fully in global value chains. The report concludes with recommendations on the steps that LLDCs neighbouring transit countries and international organizations can undertake to ease trade bottlenecks to keep trade flowing smoothly and to make trade more inclusive.
WTO’s TBT Agreement: technical barriers to trade
The WTO’s TBT Agreement entered into force with the establishment of the WTO on 1 January 1995. It aims to ensure that product requirements in regulations and standards (on safety quality health and the environment) as well as procedures for assessing product compliance with such requirements (certification testing inspection accreditation) are not unjustifiably discriminatory and do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade. The TBT Agreement also emphasizes the importance of transparency and contains disciplines that strongly encourage the use of international standards as a basis for harmonizing regulations across WTO members.
Landlocked developing countries and trade bottlenecks
Trade is critical to the economic growth of countries which means facilitating trade is a priority for governments. Landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) are without direct territorial access to a sea or ocean so ease of trade is linked to their survival.
Foreword by Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Among the outreach activities I have undertaken since becoming Director-General have been very detailed and substantive meetings with landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). They have told me how the particular barriers they face due to a lack of territorial access to the sea and isolation from the world’s largest markets restrict the free flow of trade and impose constraints on their socio-economic development. The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially damaging to their fragile economies which has brought new challenges such as container shortages high shipping costs and the closure of borders to stop the spread of COVID-19. In response I requested the WTO Secretariat to conduct this study on the logistical constraints impacting the trade performance of LLDCs and how trade bottlenecks could be reduced. I am very happy that the study has been produced in such a short time.
Recommendations
LLDCs are a very special group of countries which face very atypical constraints. To address these challenges will require special measures to more fully integrate LLDCs into the multilateral trading system. This report has identified some of the areas and issues where targeted steps need to be taken to ease trade bottlenecks – not only by the LLDCs themselves but also transit countries and organizations involved. The paucity of up-to-date data and the difficulties to collect it from some of the remotest areas of the world make it hard to capture all the factors comprehensively and accurately.