The Introduction contains background information on the fundamental and practical issues that Trade Facilitation addresses; it is based on a study made by SITPRO, the Simpler Trade Procedures Board of the United Kingdom. The Introduction reviews the present situation in the field of the production, transfer and use of information required in the course of an international trade transaction, with a view to identifying the needs for further harmonization, standardization and simplification for more efficient trade. Examples are given of some of the practical solutions which are the subject of Recommendations by WP.4 or other bodies, and of problems which still have to be solved.
For many years, in addition to specific Trade Facilitation Recommendations like those adopted by WP.4, international instruments being developed in areas connected with international trade and transport have incorporated provisions aimed at facilitating the movement of goods and means of transport or the provision of services by reducing information requirements, streamlining procedures, standardizing information elements and paper forms, harmonizing official and commercial practices, providing standard formats for electronic transmission. The objectives and scope of these various instruments are briefly presented in the sources page.
The Reccommendations are listed by both group and index. They contain the complete or abridged text, or a paraphrase, as appropriate, of the Recommendations. These extracts from international instruments are given for reference purposes, and not as a substitute for the full text which constitutes the only valid source for official use.