As a result of COVID-19, disruptions in cross-border trade have led to a “new world” of trade costs. These include new protocols, additional border controls, and new documentation requirements for shippers and traders. At the same time, trade facilitation measures taken at the border have made it possible for supply chains to continue to deliver. Further streamlining of border procedures can be key for helping economies with the next phases of the COVID-19 pandemic including the global production and distribution of a vaccine.

This policy note discusses trade and trade policy considerations underpinning access to the final and intermediate goods needed to effectively produce, deliver and administer COVID-19 vaccines. It focuses on the international aspects of the vaccine supply chain, discussing the sourcing, production, distribution and need to expedite international border crossing and transportation (including in the context of the cold supply chain).

Cross-border trade in parcels has played a critical role in helping people and firms deal with issues stemming from physical distancing and confinement measures implemented during COVID-19. This policy note discusses that role and the policies that can help ensure parcel trade can continue to be leveraged to help promote an inclusive economic recovery from COVID-19.

This brief explores the role of digital trade in helping to mitigate some of the consequences of COVID-19. It also highlights how digital technologies can be leveraged to enable more efficient movement of goods, including parcels, across borders. Digital technologies can ensure that border processes are transparent and accessible to traders; that formalities can be expedited; and that processes at the border require less physical contact.

Trade facilitation has been playing a critical role in ensuring the swift movement of essential medical, food and IT goods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trade facilitation is particularly important for the MSMEs hit hardest by the crisis.

As part of their regional strategies for COVID-19 response and aviation recovery, ICAO’s two Regional Offices for the Americas (SAM and NACC) have contributed to the development and emergence of  the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission (LACAC)’s new multilateral agreement to liberalize air cargo services in the region.

Communication, cooperation, and automation are three essential elements to ensure the functioning of modern border operations. The WTO is working to support the global response to COVID-19 by providing a roadmap for countries to access and trade medical and health supplies and equipment across borders. 

Alors que le multilatéralisme est contesté à l'échelle mondiale, il devient de plus en plus important de communiquer ouvertement, de partager des données d'expérience et de coopérer pour accroître la transparence et la confiance entre partenaires commerciaux. Une plate‑forme librement accessible comme le Portail d'information commerciale du Samoa représente une étape importante pour construire et développer un archipel de connaissances, et pouvoir ainsi parcourir ensemble le merveilleux rivage de la croissance économique et du développement du commerce.

Suite à la numérisation des documents commerciaux, la numérisation du commerce implique une utilisation fonctionnelle des données pour améliorer le potentiel d'automatisation des processus transfrontières. En adoptant une approche centrée sur l'homme de la conception des politiques conformément aux normes sémantiques mondiales, les règles commerciales sous une forme "axée sur les données" peuvent remédier aux inégalités dans l'accès à l'information et les modes de conformité.

Une transformation numérique urgente est nécessaire afin de mettre en place un système de dédouanement sûr et sécurisé pour le commerce électronique transfrontières dans les pays les plus pauvres du monde.

La chaîne de blocs est bien adaptée aux interventions ciblées des PMA dans les domaines du financement du commerce, du dédouanement, du transport et de la logistique, du commerce des marchandises et services, ainsi que de la passation des marchés publics.

In times where multilateralism is challenged on a global scale, it becomes more and more important to communicate openly, to share experiences and to work together to increase transparency and trust between trading partners. A freely accessible platform like the Samoa Trade Information Portal is an important step to build and grow this island of knowledge and as result wander together on the wonderous shorelines of economic growth and trade development.

Following digitisation of commercial documents, the digitalisation of trade implies functional use of data to improve the automation potential of cross-border processes. By taking a human-centred approach to policy design in conformity with global semantic standards, trade rules in a ‘data driven’ format can address inequalities in access to information and modes of compliance. Such reforms also make digital solutions for trade facilitation, including national customs systems, easier for governments to deliver and maintain. New trade networks are presently feasible.

Urgent digital transformation is needed to create safe and secure cross border ecommerce customs clearance in the world’s poorest countries

In line with the government guidelines, Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) has launched initiatives & implemented many effective interim mechanisms to ensure the smooth flow of essential medical supplies and other commodities despite numerous challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

01 Edition (2 June 2020)