On January 1, 2017 the new nomenclature comes into force, which extends codes used in the Tariff System to 10 digits.
From a statement issued by the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI):
The Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI) held on this day a conference with the aim of informing its members about the implementation of the Sixth Amendment to the nomenclature in the System for Tariff Description and Coding (SAC) and the enlargement to ten digits of the codes for goods that are exported and imported.
The unification of customs procedures would mean savings of $300 per day for each unit dedicated to the regional transport of goods.
S21.com.gt reports that "Representatives and delegates of the Confederation of Customs Brokers of the Caribbean Basin (Conaacc) from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic met yesterday to unify search procedures in a Central American Customs Code, which aims to facilitate trade between the region. "
The first round of negotiations of the Second Semester of Customs Union ended last August 24 in Nicaragua having made significant progress.
From Diario de Central America:
The technical negotiators have concluded revision of the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) for labeling of distilled spirits and registration requirements for microbial pesticides for agricultural use, which have been passed on for resolution by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (Comieco). Negotiations will continue for the rest of subgroups via videoconferences and the necessary consultations made with stakeholders in each case.
Instead of being reduced, bureaucracy at the Central American borders is becoming increasingly burdensome, complicating and making intra regional trade more expensive.
Constant delays which increase transportation costs, lack of progress in the streamlining of customs procedures and a perceived stagnation of the customs and economic integration project are the most pressing problems observed by business associations in Central America.
Central American representatives have approved various technical regulations for the regional customs union.
Among the regulations adopted are those relating to labeling and product registration.
Also under discussion in the meeting, was the process of Panama’s incorporation into the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat (SIEC), a requirement that Panama needs to meet in order to take part of the Association Agreement with the European Union.
The region's federation of chambers of commerce (Fecamco in Spanish) encourages governments to keep pushing for customs union.
A Fecamco press release states that in meetings held between October 31st and November 1st discussions centered on Central America's political and economic situation that led to a renewed call to the region's governments to consider important topics.
The meeting of technical groups from the countries of Central American Integration System (SICA) in El Salvador ended with significant advances
Progress was made in the preparation of some 15 rules of origin and the harmonization of tariffs for different products.
Deputy Minister of Economy of El Salvador, Mario Hernandes, told Reuters, "Decisions made in the technical rounds will be passed up to the technical and deputy ministers of Trade and Economy for approval."
The European Union again noted its interest in an integrated Central America where there is a free flow of investments, goods and services.
The seventh round of negotiations of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America opened in Honduras with the explicit indication by Petros Mavromichalis, political negotiator of the EU that "regional integration remains a subject of great importance for us.
CAUCA IV and its regulations known as "Recauca", came into effect today and will facilitate the commercial exchange and decrease contraband trade.
According the Superintendent of the Tax Administration Agency (SAT) of Guatemala, Oscar Funes, Cauca IV and Recauca establish new provisions to facilitate customs procedures and trade on the Central American isthmus.
The meeting of the Central American Customs Committee (CAUCA) began yesterday in Nicaragua and will cover topics such as the impact that the coming into effect of CAUCA will have.
CAUCA, which governs the customs legislation of the region's countries and the organization of their customs services, is a step towards a regional customs union. Said union is considered to be an important element in negotiations with the EU for a bi-regional association that includes a free trade agreement.
The Central American Parliament will ask the Central American Court of Justice to suspend the effective date of the Customs Law due to technical errors which may lead to acts of corruption.
Rodolfo Dougherty, a Guatemalan lawmaker, confirmed that only the Central American Court of Justice has the authority to stop the effective date of the Law, which begins on 28 August in Guatemala. In the rest of countries there is still no foreseeable date.