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.

" ... at the moment there is no estimate of how much has been paid since it came into force, but we are waiting to see what is decided. We will have to see what the process is for reintegrating those who have already paid," said Mario Magaña, director of economic affairs of the CCES.

" ... while notice has not yet been published in the official newspaper and details not verified, employers must continue to pay, but we are not ruling out the possibility of them recovering the money paid."

Source: elmundo.com.sv

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Exporters have reported inconsistencies in the system of non-intrusive inspections at customs offices in El Salvador.

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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.

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

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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.