To help governments improve their border procedures, reduce trade costs, boost trade flows and reap greater benefits from international trade, OECD has developed a set of trade facilitation indicators that identify areas for action and enable the potential impact of reforms to be assessed.

About the indicators
 - Methodology, sources and background papers

Indicators

Advance Rulings

Prior statements by the administration to requesting traders concerning the classification, origin, valuation method, etc., applied to specific goods at the time of importation; the rules and process applied to such statements.

Appeal Procedures

The possibility and modalities to appeal administrative decisions by border agencies.

Co-operation – External

Co-operation with neighbouring and third countries.

Co-operation – Internal

Co-operation between various border agencies of the country; control delegation to customs authorities.

Fees and Charges

Disciplines on the fees and charges imposed on imports and exports.

Formalities – Automation

Electronic exchange of data; automated border procedures; use of risk management.

Formalities – Documents

Simplification of trade documents; harmonisation in accordance with international standards; acceptance of copies.

Formalities – Procedures

Streamlining of border controls; single submission points for all required documentation (single windows); post-clearance audits; authorised economic operators.

Governance and Impartiality

Customs structures and functions; accountability; ethics policy.

Information Availability

Publication of trade information, including on internet; enquiry points.

Involvement of the Trade Community

Consultations with traders.

Further reading

‌Overview of the OECD trade facilitation indicators
‌ OECD Trade Facilitation Indicators: Transforming border bottlenecks into global gateways (4 pages, 82 KB)

Further details of the methodology, sources and findings from the OECD trade facilitation indicators:

• Trade Facilitation Indicators: The Potential Impact of Trade Facilitation on Developing Countries’ Trade
  (OECD Trade Policy Paper No. 144, 2013)
  
  
• Trade Facilitation Indicators: The Impact on Trade Costs
  (OECD Trade Policy Paper No. 118, 2011)