# Agreement on Trade Facilitation

*Last updated: 2026-06-23*

> Unlike bilateral free trade agreements that negotiate tariff rates, the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) targets the procedures and formalities at the border itself.

Unlike bilateral free trade agreements that negotiate tariff rates, the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) targets the procedures and formalities at the border itself. Adopted at the 2013 WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali and entering into force in 2017 upon ratification by two-thirds of WTO members, it establishes binding standards for advance cargo data submission, risk-based customs controls, single-window procedures, and transparency obligations toward traders. Developing country members benefit from phased implementation timelines and dedicated capacity-building support. For freight forwarders and customs brokers, the TFA translates into faster clearance, fewer documentary queries, and more predictable transit times. It governs how goods cross borders—not at what duty rate.

**Source:** [https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tradfa_e/tradfa_e.htm](https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tradfa_e/tradfa_e.htm)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Agreement on Trade Facilitation |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 108 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-23 |
| Source | https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tradfa_e/tradfa_e.htm |

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