However one defines trade facilitation, its ultimate meaning is the ease (in terms of procedures and steps) by which goods move across international borders, whether these are for final destination or in transit to their final consumption in other trading economies. In light of the general and cumulative reduction in statutory tariff rates through several rounds of multilateral trade negotiations, the changing character of international trade, and advances in technology, the need to pay attention to trade facilitation has acquired new importance. Indeed there is realization by governments and traders alike that, in many instances and countries, even with low tariff rates, moving goods across borders faces complex procedures and processes.