Imagine cross-border trade as a highway where goods flow seamlessly to their destinations—reducing costs for businesses and boosting economic growth. Bolivia’s customs authority is moving closer to this vision, with the World Customs Organization (WCO) providing critical technical support to accelerate progress.
On March 7–8, 2023, under the framework of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the WCO’s Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), the WCO successfully conducted a virtual workshop for Bolivia’s National Customs (Aduana Nacional – AN) on the Time Release Study (TRS) methodology. The two-day hybrid event aimed to guide Bolivia’s national working group in implementing TRS, a key tool for measuring and improving customs efficiency.
Key Workshop Outcomes
The workshop brought together 10 Bolivian customs officials and achieved several milestones:
- Process Optimization: Participants reviewed and refined operational flowcharts to better reflect real-world procedures.
- Data Collection Tools: Surveys for TRS implementation were adjusted to ensure accurate and actionable results.
- Pilot Preparation: Preliminary steps were taken for a TRS pilot project scheduled for April 2023.
- Capacity Building: WCO experts deepened participants’ understanding of TRS methodologies and best practices.
The Significance of Time Release Studies
TRS is a WCO-recommended tool that measures the duration between goods’ arrival at borders and their final release. By systematically analyzing this data, customs authorities can identify bottlenecks, streamline processes, and enhance trade facilitation. The benefits extend beyond faster clearance—reduced operational costs for businesses and improved national competitiveness are among the long-term advantages.
Bolivia’s Commitment to Trade Modernization
Bolivian customs officials actively engaged in the workshop, demonstrating strong commitment to implementing TRS as part of broader efforts to attract investment and strengthen economic growth. The SECO-WCO GTFP initiative continues to support Bolivia and other developing economies in adopting WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement standards through technical assistance and capacity building.
Expected Impact
Upon full implementation, TRS is projected to:
- Shorten cargo release times by eliminating procedural inefficiencies.
- Lower business costs related to storage and logistics.
- Enhance Bolivia’s appeal to foreign investors.
- Elevate the country’s standing in global trade rankings.
Following the April pilot, Bolivia plans to analyze results and develop a nationwide strategy for customs modernization. The WCO will provide ongoing technical collaboration to ensure sustainable progress.