Single Window System

The Single Window System is a trade facilitation idea. As such, the implementation of a single window system enables international (cross-border) traders to submit regulatory documents at a single location and/or single entity. Such documents are typically customs declarations, applications for import/export permits, and other supporting documents such as certificates of origin and trading invoices.

The main value proposition for having a Single Window for a country or economy is to increase the efficiency through time and cost savings for traders in their dealings with various government authorities for obtaining the relevant clearance and permit(s) for moving cargoes across national or economic borders. In a traditional pre-Single Window environment, traders may have had to contend with visits and dealings with multiple government agencies in multiple locations in order to obtain the necessary papers, permits and clearance in order to complete their import or export processes.

There is no single definitive viewpoint of what a single window system should be. A common definition of the term "Single Window" is:

:"A facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. If information is electronic then individual data elements should only be submitted once." [http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/wto/Single%20Window%20Concept.pdf]
The concept is recognised and promoted by several world organisations that are concerned with trade facilitation. Among these are the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and its Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), World Customs Organisation (WCO), SITPRO Limited of the United Kingdom and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The diagram below illustrates an example of an implementation of a Single Window system within a country or economy.

Benefits

A single window service aims to deliver specific benefits to the main communities and stakeholders in cross-border trade.

* Government
** Customs
** Permit-issuing Agencies
** Ministries::Ministries (and other trade monitoring bodies) may be able to obtain cross-border trade related data and statistics in a comprehensive and timely manner from the single window service provider

* Shipping and Forwarding Community
** Ship Arrival Notice
** IMO FAL Forms:
*** 1. general Declaration
*** 3. Ship's Stores Declaration
*** 4. Crew's Effects Declaration
*** 5. Crew List
*** 6. Passenger List
** Electronic Ship Clearance

* Shippers and Traders

* Banking and Insurance Community

References

Documents

* [http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/UNECE/UNPAN019892.pdf UNECE brochure on the Single Window concept]
* [http://www.unece.org/cefact/recommendations/rec33/rec33_trd352e.pdf UN/CEFACT Recommendation No. 33 - Recommendation and Guidelines on establishing a Single Window]
* [http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/wto/Single%20Window%20Concept.pdf The World Customs Organisation (WCO) perspective on the Single Window Concept]
*UK SITPRO ITSW Information-http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/resources/documents/customs/policy_issues/e-customs_initiative/ind_projects/SWannexVIII.pdf