About
Trade facilitation concerns many segments of the postal network and related supply chain – physical services, financial services, electronic services – as well as links to customs, airlines, and security. A proper functioning of these sectors is key to a successful e-commerce development.
To respond to an increasing demand for e-commerce among MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), the UPU is working with governments implementing policies to facilitate affordable and efficient exporting and importing using the national postal infrastructure. The UPU also provides support in legal, regulatory, and technical framework and sets the global postal strategy, regulations, and standards.
For whom
Services offered
- Building skills
- Capacity Building
- Capacity Development
- Policy Support
- Technical Assistance
- Technical Support
- Institutional building
- Support to institutions
- Training
- Research
- Policy dialogue
- Postal
- Logistics
Partners
- UNCTAD
- ITC
- ITU
- National postal operators
- National postal regulators
- National postal ministries
- African Union
- Restricted Unions of the UPU
Meet the beneficiaries
The UPU e-Commerce Guide is a set of practical recommendations for UPU members for the development of their own e-commerce capabilities and services for domestic, regional and cross-border markets.
It includes guidance on different aspects of e-business and customer – supplier chain such as:
- Web hosting for e-shops ;
- Payment ;
- Logistics ;
- Customer relationship management ;
- Promotion channels, etc.
Through the capacity building activities of UPU, national postal operators in developing countries of Africa and Asia have been trained in the setup and operation of cloudbased secure e-commerce solutions under the .POST programme.
4 countries trained
Cambodia, Uruguay, Uganda, Tanzania
Next steps: launching ecommerce marketplaces for SME
Based on acquired expertise, with the programme extention, posts would be able to launch ecommerce marketplaces for SME, utilising the national postal infrastructure for affordable access to hosting, payment, logistics and delivery.
Tunisian Post: succesful financial inclusion through mobile telephony
The Tunisian model was built step by step:
In 2000 – launch of e-DINAR
Launch of the electronic payment platform and the first electronic wallet in Tunisia. This platform enables the Post’s customers to make online purchases.
In 2008 – launch of e-DINAR SMART.
This product uses smart card technology, which offers clients greater versatility while ensuring the highest level of security. It is rechargeable (cash, transfer, mobile), multi-channel (Internet, ATM, point-of-payment terminal, mobile and multifunctional (transfer, payment, payment receipt).
In 2010 – launch of “M-DINAR POST”
The Tunisian Post developed its own mobile payment platform, offering a range of services based on mobile technology and leading to partnerships with telecom operators in the country.
Key success factors of Tunisian Post’s business model:
1. Mobile friendly in a low internet connectivity environment
For e-DINAR SMART cardholders, mobile transactions are very practical, since mobile phones are more widely accessible than the Internet in Tunisia.
2. Win-Win strategic partnerships
The model is based on a strategy that promotes partnerships in a win-win relationship. Services are developed and proposed by both partners. The Post sees mobile operators as a way to create a multiplier effect, using their capacity for promotion and marketing.
3. Customer support approach
The model promotes wider use of its financial services, while freeing up offices staff, moved thus to advisory roles.
4. Easy to access technology
Based on simple technology (USSD), accessible to everyone from any type of mobile phone.
Peruvian Post: easy export to the world
With «Exporta fácil» solution, SERPOST S.A. provides to Peruvian exporters a unique range of services allowing an efficient and secure marketing of products at lower costs.
Key benefits of «Exporta fácil» services
- Simplifying export logistics
- Increasing foreign currency incomes thanks to export
- Motivating factor for legalization
- Fostering SME’s integration in world trade
- Increasing number of target export markets per region
- Decentralizing market makes export possible in any part of the country
- Fostering export and internet use in the whole country
- Developing e-commerce initiatives
- Generating jobs and decreasing poverty
Ecuador post: expanding trade in Ecuador for MSMEs
Correos del Ecuador’s «Exporta Fácil» suite of solutions is geared to small and medium-sized enterprises wishing to use a simplified system to export their merchandise through the post. This will help streamline current export processes.
Key benefits of «Correos del Ecuador’s Exporta Fácil» services:
- Increase in the number of MSMEs and their export activities
- Increase of the international market to Ecuador’s handicrafts
- Increase of trade agreements with neighboring countries like Peru and Colombia, and in the European Union.
- Advertising of the service through communication media by institutions working jointly on the implementation and development of the service to provide information and attract new clients.
- Provide support for non-traditional exports.
For further information on «Exporta facil» concept and trade facilitation please click here
Innovation corner & best practices
Programme in a nutshell
Year of creation
1950
Type of business
Capacity buildingPolicy advicePolicy DialoguePolicy FormulationTechnical assistance
Maps/program scope










Donors
Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationGovernments
Number of activities carried out
10