A significant improvement has been reported in the time it takes customs authorities in the port terminal of Honduras to inspect and review containers.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
The measures implemented over the last year in customs offices in Honduras have made it possible to streamline the processes of review and clearance of containers, something which in recent years had become a headache for employers.
Since November last year, processes have been modified to assign a "green channel" for container revision for importers with a good record and to create a single window to expedite procedures.See "Options for Solving Problems in Puerto Cortes"
Elheraldo.hn reports that "...In the last twelve months the results have been flattering. In terms of customs risk, of the total number of containers entering through customs an average of 78%, 6% and 16% went through green, yellow and red channels, respectively."
"...A report from the Coprisao reveals that in November 2016, when customs were managed by the Presidential Tax Administration Commission (CPAT), 90% of the cargo was physically inspected despite being selected to pass through the green channel."
The customs union proposes creating a special customs office for goods such as parcels and used products, which require more complex and slower revisions than the other products.
Elheraldo.hn reports that "...The Fenaduanah believes that the creation of a special customs tax for high-risk goods will facilitate trade of other imported goods."
Assigning container inspections to a "green channel" for importers with a good record and creating a one-stop shop to streamline procedures is part of what has been proposed to reduce congestion at the port.
Constant complaints over problems and delays faced by entrepreneurs in the Honduran port terminal have led the government to prepare a series of measures to reduce container inspection times and streamline processes to export or import goods through the port.See: "Customs Problems Arise in Puerto Cortes Again".
Honduran businessmen have denounced the economic losses caused by delays in reviewing containers and are demanding more agility in customs procedures at the port.
The commercial sector is one of the most affected by the slowness of the customs procedures which must be carried out at Puerto Cortes.Jorge Faraj, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Cortés, told Laprensa.hn that"...If the problem is not resolved and if they do not get the merchandise out in time in the coming days of November, businesses will miss out on Christmas sales and that will be a big blow to the economy'."
Within three to four months the SAT plans to start implementing a selective "blue" process, which involves clearing containers so that they only go through one documentary process or warehousing goods inspection.
The measure aims to streamline the inspection process, free up space in ports and reduce waiting times, explained Werrner Ovalle, intendent of Customs.
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