UK: Consultation on Voluntary Standard for Customs Intermediaries
On 5 June 2023 the UK launched a consultation looking for the views of stakeholders on a proposal to introduce a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries. Views are invited from interested parties by 30 August 2023. The consultation follows
See MoreWTO: Lessons learned from the pandemic
On 21 November 2022 the WTO’s Committee on Market Access held the fifth of a series of experience-sharing sessions on trade in goods related to the pandemic. The session looked at the main lessons learned from the pandemic and was preceded by a
See MoreWTO: Latest Issue of World Tariff Profiles
On 29 July 2022 the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued the latest edition of its annual publication World Tariff Profiles. The publication sets out global tariff and non-tariff information on more than 170 countries and is issued in
See MoreUK: Small Business Attitudes to the Single Trade Window
On 21 July 2022 the UK government published research on the attitude of small business to the proposed single trade window (STW). The UK government is developing a single trade window to streamline the interaction of traders with border agencies.
See MoreUK: Consultation on Single Trade Window
On 21 July 2022 the UK government published a consultation document inviting comments on the design of a single trade window (STW) that would be an important part of the UK’s border strategy. The UK government is aiming to revise its customs
See MoreUK: Summary of Responses to Consultation on Customs Improvements
On 25 July 2022 the UK published a summary of responses to the call for evidence on improvements to the UK customs regime. Comments were invited earlier in 2022 on how the customs system is functioning, especially in relation to the customs
See MoreWTO: International Trade Cooperation to Strengthen Preparation for Future Pandemics
On 3 June 2022 the World Bank and the WTO launched a document entitled: Trade Therapy: Deepening Cooperation to Strengthen Pandemic Defenses. The publication notes that trade has an important role to play in the response to health crises such as
See MoreWTO: Trade Review of UAE
From 22 to 24 March 2022 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) conducted a review of the trade policies and practices of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As a basis for the review, a report was prepared by the WTO Secretariat. The UAE’s economy
See MoreWTO: Work Plan for New Trade and Environmental Sustainability Talks
At a meeting on 7 February 2022, World Trade Organisation (WTO) members reviewed a proposed 2022 work plan for the new initiative on trade and environmental sustainability. The draft work plan includes the proposed work areas for the formal
See MoreUNCTAD report on illicit financial flows
The UNCTAD publication Economic Development in Africa Report 2020: Tackling Illicit Financial Flows for Sustainable Development in Africa was published in July 2021. The UNCTAD report argues that tackling illicit financial flows is an important
See MoreUK: SME Brexit Support Fund open for applications
From 15 March 2021 a Brexit Support Fund for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is accepting applications for grants of up to GDP 2,000 to assist with adaptation to new customs and tax rules that now apply when trading with the European Union
See MoreWTO: Role of trade policies in addressing plastic pollution
On 30 September 2020 the WTO Deputy Director-General addressed the role of trade policy in combating plastic pollution. Trade regulations, border duties and taxes, domestic tax law and incentives in the form of subsidies are some of the tools that
See MoreMexico modifies the General Customs Rules for 2020
On 24 July 2020, Mexico has published the first amendment to the General Customs Rules for 2020 in the Official Gazette. The amendments include changes to the Comprehensive Business Certification Scheme, in the VAT, VAT Certification and Authorized
See MoreWorld Bank: Report on benefits of African Continental Free Trade Area
On 27 July 2020 the World Bank issued a report on the economic and distributional effects of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA agreement will connect 1.3 billion people across 55 countries with a combined GDP of USD 3.4
See MoreUK notifies the WTO of withdrawal from the European Union
A communication from the UK on 1 February 2020 (WT/GC/206) has set out detail on the implications for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) of its departure from the European Union (EU). The communication notifies the WTO that the UK ceased to be a
See MoreWTO: Decisions issued by Ministerial Conference
The eleventh Ministerial Conference (MC11) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) closed on 13 December 2017 and decisions were issued on some issues. Fisheries Subsidies The WTO members agreed to pursue negotiations with the objective of reaching
See MoreWTO: World Trade Statistical Review 2017
On 28 July 2017 the WTO issued the latest annual statistical report World Trade Statistical Review 2017. This publication examines trends in trade in goods and services and trade policy developments including restrictive trade practices. World
See MoreWTO and OECD: Aid for Trade monitoring report
The sixth aid-for-trade monitoring report has been published by the WTO and OECD under the title “Aid for Trade at a Glance: Promoting Trade Inclusiveness and Connectivity for Sustainable Development. The Aid for Trade initiative, launched in
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