Express delivery services consist of the expedited collection, transport and

delivery of documents, printed matter, parcels and/or other goods, while

tracking the location of, and maintaining control over, such items

throughout the supply of the service.  Express delivery services do not

include (1) services, which are excluded from the GATS by the Annex on

Air Transport Services; (2) services supplied in the exercise of

government authority as defined in GATS Article 1.3; or (3) maritime

transport services.

ACCA would like to make two important clarifications with respect to this

definition.  First, it does not encompass aviation rights (i.e., air traffic rights).

Second, the definition applies to any entity providing express delivery services,

including national postal authorities engaged in commercial express activities.

Incorporating this definition of express delivery services into the FTA agreement is

essential, regardless of the negotiating approach for liberalization taken by the United States.  If

a  positive listing  approach similar to the GATS approach is used for securing liberalization

commitments, the express delivery services definition above provides clear parameters

concerning what will be covered.  On the other hand, because the CPC and existing international

agreements do not adequately (and in some instances counter productively) define the express

delivery services sector, a  negative list  approach to sector liberalization, standing alone, will

fail to produce the needed coverage and liberalization of the express delivery services sector.  If

trade negotiations are conducted using the negative listing approach, particular care must be

given to ensuring that the above definition for express delivery services applies, and that it is

clearly specified that any reservations regarding postal or courier services are with respect to a

different service sector than express delivery services.

Secondly, express operators provide integrated, door to door delivery service for

documents and packages, and our customers expect value added services like time guarantees,

electronic information, brokerage services and more.  Our customers are not as concerned with

how their documents or parcels are moved    just that they arrive on time.  This could be by

plane, train, truck, van, automobile, motorcycle, or even gondola.  Consequently, a broad

spectrum of issues affects our industry, including laws and regulations in the areas of intermodal

transportation, air auxiliary services, distribution, warehousing, customs, postal,

telecommunications, logistics, brokerage, insurance, and freight forwarding.  For this reason,

barriers to international trade in our industry can involve trade restrictions and trade distortive

measures in any of these pertinent service sectors.

Negotiations on new trade agreements should also address barriers such as the following,

and be conducted with attention to the express delivery services industry's objectives vis a vis

electronic commerce.

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