TFA Hub

Ever wondered what the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is all about? Read on to find out all you need to know.

The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is a binding multilateral trade agreement between members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The TFA was concluded in December 2013 and officially entered into force in February 2017. The agreement is designed to tackle the barriers to trade posed by burdensome border requirements. These barriers make it harder for businesses of all sizes to trade internationally but hurt small and medium-sized enterprises the most.

By ratifying the agreement, countries commit to reducing red tape at borders – from measures to ensure quicker release and clearance of goods to better cooperation between border agencies.

These reforms will increase transparency and efficiency, reduce bureaucracy and corruption and ultimately make trade simpler, faster and more cost-effective. Taken together, reforms have the potential to reduce trade costs by 14.3% on average and create around 20 million jobs, mostly in developing countries. The TFA is a unique opportunity to further development goals such as sustainable growth, poverty reduction and gender equality.

The WTO’s TFA Database is a tool to track and analyse WTO Members’ commitments under the TFA. Access the latest TFA data.


First Review of the Operation and Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement

WTO, 2021

WTO members completed the first-ever review of the TFA in November, 2021. It took stock of members’ progress in implementing the Agreement as well as ongoing challenges.

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The Trade Facilitation Agreement: A World of Opportunities for MSMEs

USAID Report, 2021

Small and medium businesses are key for sustainable economic growth and development. This report by USAID shows how the TFA can help unleash their potential.

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The Trade Facilitation Agreement, At a glance

Briefing, 2019

This short document gives a brief overview of the TFA  and why it is important. It is available in English, French and Spanish.

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OECD, Implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement: the Potential Impact on Trade Costs

Policy brief, 2018

This OECD policy brief explores the potential impact of the TFA on trade costs using the OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators.

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World Trade Organization, Mainstreaming trade to attain the Sustainable Development Goals

Report, May 2018

This report identifies ten steps that would help to ensure that international trade contributes to accelerating progress in achieving the SDGs.  Among them is a recommendation to continue reducing trade costs including through full implementation of the TFA, and to ensure that non-tariff measures do not become barriers to trade.

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WTO

International Trade Centre, SMEs and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, A Training Manual

Report, Dec 2015

This guide for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), published by the International Trade Centre, explains the TFA provisions and what they mean for businesses. It also provides a practical guide for businesses on how they can benefit from the agreement.

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 International Trade Centre, SMEs and the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, A Training Manual

Trade Facilitation Agreement

Agreement, Dec 2013

The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) is a binding multilateral trade agreement between members of the World Trade Organization. The TFA was concluded in December 2013 and it officially entered into force in February 2017.

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Trade Facilitation Agreement