Exporters are complaining they have paid the $18 fee more than once for scanned inspections of the same container. This is because "in some cases they are charging per product declaration issued not per the number of containers, in other words, if a container has more than one product then you must pay the fee for each one ...".

"... There are employers who are paying more than $18 per container, because they are transporting more than one product, while others pay the same amount even though they are moving more than one, because they declare all items in one document or consolidate their load."

Silvia Cuéllar, Executive Director of the Corporation of Exporters of El Salvador said: "When it comes to consolidated containers there should only be one payment because it is the consolidating freight company that handles the customs document."

However, "many of the problems arise when a situation occurs outside the normal framework, as there is no one who can provide consultancy for Customs officers regarding those situations."

Meanwhile, the Commision for Trade Facilitation in El Salvador, has asked the Salvadoran Congress to reform the Customs Simplification Act. "The content of the current rules is confusing and contrary to international obligations including those that El Salvador has signed regarding Central American economic integration."

Source: elsalvador.com

More on this topic

El Salvador: Confusion Continues Over Scanner Charges

January 2015

Carriers claim that the new rules on the $18 fee for revision using scanners is not clear when it comes to charging the fee on consolidated cargo.

This new conflict has arisen from the fact that the rules of the law do not specify whether in the case of consolidated cargo the $18 must be paid per package or if the fee should be divided among all packages, as they claim has been done up until now.

Exemption from $18 Customs Fee applies to all Transport

January 2014

The suspension of payment for customs inspections in El Salvador applies to goods in international transit and those with a local destination.

From a press release issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:

The Legislature has approved an authentic interpretation of Decree 604, approved on January 16, which contains exceptional and transitional provisions applied to the "Customs Simplification Act" to suspended for a period of 180 days, the fee for the provision of non-intrusive inspections, whose office of departure and destination are within or outside the borders of El Salvador.

Confusion in El Salvador Over Exceptions To Scanner Fee

January 2014

Salvadoran exporters are asking for clarification over the regulation that puts on hold the fee of $18 per inspection of goods.

The Corporation of Exporters of El Salvador (Coexport) asked the Government to clarify which goods have to be inspected at customs and pay the $18 fee. They explain that there is confusion occurring at the regional level which must be addressed.

Carriers Oppose Charge for Scanners in El Salvador

December 2013

Regional unions are threatening a general strike in the Salvadoran border to protest at the rate of $18 per inspection at customs offices in that country.

S21.com.gt reports: "The new provision of the General Customs of El Salvador will take effect on 6 January, in light of this, carriers of the remaining five countries in the region have announced a general strike on the Salvadoran border if this legislation goes ahead. "