Excerpt from the executive summary of the "Economic Report 2016 Cross-Border Trade Institutions and Red Tape" by Funides:

In this document the Nicaraguan Foundation for Economic and Social Development (Funides) will address issues of cross-border trade and red tape, particularly in relation to the ease of import and exporting, creating or formalizing a business and paying taxes and for social benefits.

The agility of processes for importing and exporting by sea and land has experienced mixed developments. For example, the latest figures available show progress in the case of imports by sea. In the case of exports by land, Nicaragua is at a disadvantage in relation to other Central American countries.

Read full report by Funides.

More on this topic

New Customs Post Guatemala - Mexico

February 2020

Authorities from both countries are fine-tuning the final details to begin construction and habilitation of the Engineers Borderland Port in Quiche, Guatemala, which will connect with Nuevo Orizaba, Chiapas, in Mexico.

Guatemalan authorities reported that the process of the Foreign Affairs Ministries is to determine where the entry and exit points of the customs will be, since on the Mexican side modifications would have to be made to match the land.

El Salvador and the Never Ending Problems with Customs

March 2017

Complaints have been made about an increase in the number of companies whose goods are subject to physical inspection, which is causing delays of several days when clearing customs.

From a statement issued by the Intergremial Commission for Trade Facilitation (CIFACIL) of El Salvador: 

Issues Pending in Guatemala - El Salvador Customs Union

February 2016

While authorities have reactivated the process for binational customs liberalization, entrepreneurs have pointed to constraints on issues related to bureaucracy, corruption, and infrastructure at border crossing points.

The governments of Guatemala and El Salvador have resumed work in Technical Groups to liberalize binational border posts.

Doing Business in Central American Cities

February 2015

A World Bank study has evaluated regulations which exist in 22 cities in the region for starting new business, registration, construction, and border trade.

From a statement issued by the World Bank:

Doing Business in Central America and the Dominican Republic 2015 compares business regulations in 6 Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) and the Dominican Republic.