Trade facilitation
Trade facilitation aims at achieving simpler, cheaper and faster trade across borders. It aims to ensure that regulatory measures are implemented without becoming a burden on traders.
By simplifying and harmonizing Customs and other Government agencies’ border procedures, trade facilitation makes international trade cheaper and more transparent, efficient, resilient, greener and accessible for all.
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
- Delivers comprehensive technical assistance and capacity-building across all aspects of trade facilitation, including paperless trade and digitalization.
- Conducts in-depth research and analysis to support evidence-based policymaking.
- Actively contributes to the multilateral agenda on logistics, trade facilitation, and supply chain management.
Trade facilitation solutions
Our solutions are designed to support countries in overcoming barriers to trade by providing targeted digital tools, training, and advisory services.
From building capacity and simplifying procedures to promoting sustainable practices and improving transit coordination, each solution addresses specific challenges to facilitate cross-border trade.
Together, they form a comprehensive approach to empower countries to enhance efficiency, transparency, and resilience in their trade systems.
Click on each image below to learn more about our solutions.
Trade facilitation solutions implemented since 2015
Select a technical assistance product in the legend to display UNCTAD support worldwide
Dotted line represents approximately the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir agreed upon by India and Pakistan. The final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been agreed upon by the parties.
News
Newsletter
We have changed our way of communicating. The Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletter has now been replaced by UN Trade and Development Insights.
Subscribe and make sure to select ‘Shipping, supply chains, trade logistics and facilitation’ as a topic to continue receiving our updates.

You may also view the repository of all previous Transport and Trade Facilitation Newsletters.
Publications
Related
Projects
- Reform Tracker for SIECA trade facilitation strategy
- AfCFTA support on non-tariff barriers, trade facilitation and intellectual property rights
- Capacity building for East African Community trade portals connectivity
- Strengthening the capacity of national trade facilitation committees in the ECOWAS region
- Blockchain for trade facilitation
- Accelerate trade facilitation
- PACER Plus transparency and trade portals
Events & meetings
4 – 6 February 2026
Regional Communication Course for National Trade Facilitation Committees
17 December 2025
Closing ceremony of e-Learning course for the National Trade Facilitation Committee of Jamaica
3 December 2025
Closing ceremony of the first Arabic edition of the course on the use of blockchain in trade facilitation
2 December 2025
Closing ceremony of the second Spanish edition of the course: The use of blockchain in trade facilitation
2 December 2025
10th Anniversary of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme
19 November 2025
Technical webinar of the first Arabic edition of the course on the use of blockchain for trade facilitation
17 – 21 November 2025
Workshop on the capacity building for the Burundi NTFC on the implementation of the WTO TFA
13 – 14 November 2025









