An article in Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "...The deputy ministers of Foreign Trade of Central America agreed yesterday that Guatemala would send a complete analysis, which demonstrates that the charge of $18 being made in El Salvador for carrying out non intrusive revisions contravenes trade regulations and affects the region. "

The Government of El Salvador initially pushed collection of the fee for all cargo passing through its customs offices, but following protests and threats of strikes by carriers, suspended payment for goods transiting through the territory of El Salvador, but keeping them in place for exports and imports.

This topic has passed through various legislative bodies in Congress of El Salvador, and veto decisions by the Executive.

Source: elperiodico.com.gt

More on this topic

El Salvador: Congress Reaffirms NO to Scanning Fee

February 2014

Congress has confirmed the exemption from payment of $18 for non intrusive inspections of all goods, including exports and imports.

The suspension of the payment of $18 for the X-ray inspection of the goods will be for six months from its publication in the Official newspaper, providing President Funes endorses it.

El Salvador: President Vetoes Suspension of Scanner Fee

February 2014

Salvadoran exporters and importers will continue to pay the $18 fee per load and only goods passing through will be exempt from the fee.

The authentic interpretation of the decree eliminating a charge of $18 for the non-intrusive inspection services at Salvadoran Customs offices was vetoed by President Mauricio Funes.

El Salvador: Request for Repayment of Scanner Fees

January 2014

While in customs offices the $18 fee is still being charged, those employers affected by it are concerned and are asking for a refund of what they have already paid.

The Chamber of Commerce of El Salvador (CCES) expects the authentic interpretation of the decree exempting the charge for the service of non-intrusive inspection of exports and imports and international transit of goods, to be published soon in the Official Journal, as the $18 fee is still being charged at the borders of the country.

Customs Offices in El Salvador: Suspension of $18 Fee

January 2014

President Funes has asked Congress to suspend for 180 days the fee charged for inspecting goods in transit using scanners.

From a press release issued by the Presidency of El Salvador:

The President, Mauricio Funes, today appealed to the Legislature, through a project for a proposed temporary decree, to suspend the collection of $18 for non-intrusive inspections in the case of goods going through customs offices which are destined to go out of the country, an issue which has generated a dispute at the borders.