Controversial Customs Law in Guatemala

After a year and a half of being in force the law is being applied partially and no processes have been established nor have improvements been made to the existing ones.  

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

This was explained by Jean Paul Brichaux, executive director of the Council of International Transport Users in Guatemala (Cutrigua).

Although it was created because of the lack of a customs legislation that establishes sanctions and penalties, since its adoption in 2012 the National Customs Act has not been implemented in a propper manner. From the outset the Government has waived fines for disagreements that have existed with the business sector.

Some sanctions are not applied because of the amount of paperwork and the shortness of the deadlines. For "example if a supplemental policy is not settled in three days, it is in default. This period is very short, as all the documents need to be gathered, taken to the port and presented to a customs agent ... ", reported Prensalibre.com.

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