Belize
| Articles |
10.4.1
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10.4.2
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10.4.3
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10.4.4
View measure text |
|---|---|
| Indicative date of implementation | 22 February 2020 |
| Definitive date of implementation | 31 December 2026 |
| Deadline for extension request, if required | 2 September 2026 |
| Extension of implementation dates |
Request received
6 September 2026
Original definitive date
31 December 2026
New date requested
30 June 2028
Agreed date
Reason
The Government of Belize, through funding from the IDB and the European Union, has begun the development of its Electronic Single Window (ESW) for Trade, with the project officially kicking off in July 2026 following the contracting of the implementing firm. The ESW will serve as a single digital gateway for traders, customs brokers, and regulatory agencies to exchange trade data and documentation. While the first phase is underway, the system requires careful configuration and customization to meet Belize’s national context and ensure smooth integration across agencies. Given the scale of this reform and the time needed to complete development, testing, and rollout, Belize requests an extension until 30 June 2028 to fully implement the ESW and achieve compliance with Article 10.4.
Committee approval:
Pending
Link to notification
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| Assistance required for implementation |
1. Technical Assistance and training for establishing a Single Window facility required. 2. Technical Assistance: equipment for the operation of the single window. Capacity Building: Training for users (authorities, customs brokers, etc.) of the single window. 3. Public awareness campaign on the need and benefits of the single window. 4. A regional approach is being taken towards a regional single window; which will be compatible with international standard; Belize taking a national approach in being fully compliant. (Key issue: compatibility). |
| Donor / Agency |
Caribbean Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank |
| Progress reported |
10 March 2023
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G/TFA/N/BLZ/4
The Caribbean Development Bank is providing funding to conduct a feasibility study for an Electronic Single Window (ESW) to review the status of trade facilitation in Customs procedures, other regulatory stakeholders’ procedures, and review the legal and regulatory framework governing trade facilitation and clearance of goods and make recommendations for the implementation for an ESW.Belize has secured funding through a loan from the IDB to conduct the first phase of implementation of a Foreign Trade Single Window. This component will finance: i) Gap analysis of the current platform, and identification of barriers from a triple perspective: technology, usability, and integrating with existing systems and business process re-engineering to ensure that trade processes are optimized and aligned with international best practices, ii) deployment of a Licenses, Certificates, and Permits (LCP) module that will serve as the single-entry point and management system for all import and export LCPs issued by participating agencies, which will include the generation of gender disaggregated reports. Project is delayed. The IDB consultancy for the ESW will elaborate on recommendations for medium and long-term financial sustainability of the ESW, both for operational costs and capital investments in accordance with the technical work developed by the Caribbean Development Bank (Feasibility Study); and iii) enhancement of IT equipment to facilitate the migration to a paperless environment and use of the system. Belize will require further assistances. Time frame of Project: 18 months to complete. Belize will require additional support in the following areas: i. Technical assistance and training for relevant officials in establishing and managing a Single Window facility; ii. Equipment for the operational use of the Single Window iii. Capacity building training for users of the Single Window iv. Building awareness among the private sector entities v. For the integration of other border agencies into the Single Window facility |