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How One Trade Facilitation Agreement Reshaped Global Supply Chains
Season 2
Episode 61
Published 3 weeks ago
Description
In June 2026, the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) has been fully implemented for nearly a decade. But its impact is still reshaping how goods move across borders—especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. Lucas and Luna dive into one specific rule: the single-window system for customs clearance. They trace how this digital reform cut average import clearance times in developing countries from 10 days to under 48 hours, using the example of Bangladesh's garment exports. They also explore a surprising consequence: the TFA's role in reducing corruption at border posts. The episode ends by asking whether the next frontier is automating customs with AI.