B1 Electronic systems

B1.1 If any of the systems mentioned in A2.1 ”Electronics systems” have been implemented, what percentage support cross-border data exchange?

Background

Ideally, all stakeholders of cross-border trade should be on board for cross-border data exchange projects to bring forth full benefits. The information technology systems of those stakeholders especially of regulatory agencies should support cross-border data exchange. In this respect, assessing the percentage of systems that have already supported or haven’t supported cross-border data exchange yet is important to explore for further extending possibilities and benefits of cross-border data exchange.

Good Practices

Several government or government led agencies within a country involve with different types of import/export/transit related regulatory control and procedures. Licenses, certificates and permits related to exportation or importation of different agricultural and food products may be managed and issued by different authorities.

Those agencies involved should move away from the paper-based and manual operations to electronic and paperless transactions. Implementation of e-Licenses, e-Certificates and e-Permits can help reduce forgery, increase transparency and enhance predictability of trade, and facilitate faster clearance of goods at the entry points. The system should have the capability for the users to submit application documents electronically without paper-based documentation, then those data should be validated and approved electronically, and also the approval status of the submitted documents could be informed to relevant parties electronically.

Any documents and data, e.g. licenses and permits, that are issued in one country, and then used in the other partner country, should be exchanged electronically in a secure and mutually recognised environment across the countries such that cross-border trade transactions can be speed up and any frauds could be further reduced or eliminated.

References and Case Studies

 

Glossary
  1. “An Electronic License System (e-Licenses)” is a government department’s software application for issuing import or export related licenses. Some of its key features and automation include electronic lodgment of applications, validation of submitted data, approval and licenses issuing services. More...

  2. “An Electronic Certificate System (e-Certificates)” for exports is a government department’s software application for issuing export certificates, e.g. certificate of origin (CO), phytosanitary and sanitary of certificates. Some of its key features and automation include electronic lodgment of applications, validation of submitted data, approval and certificate issuing services.

    Some certain certificates need physical or laboratory testing processes prior to issuing the certificates. The e-Certificate System could electronic services to support the physical coordination and laboratory testing reports in conjunctions with other certificate issuing functions. More...

    “An Electronic Certificate System (e-Certificates)” for imports is an electronic system that enables an authority in the country of import to receive overseas government certificates in a digital format. This includes, for example, phytosanitary and sanitary certificates for food and agricultural imports. More...

  3. “An Electronic Permit System (e-Permits)” is a system that improves and automates all business processes related to import/export permit issuance, exchange, control and reporting. More...