Legislation in the region allows customs offices to design nonintrusive inspection methods, but these should not generate arrears in clearance or excessive costs which obstruct the free movement of goods, services and people.

From a press release issued by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America and the Dominican Republic (FECAMCO):

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America and the Dominican Republic (FECAMCO) is concerned about the situation that has arisen with the implementation in El Salvador of a non-intrusive inspection system, which has now caused a serious barrier to trade.

As a Federation we are aware of the need to implement measures to modernize trade in the region, so we support all initiatives that governments promote in order to achieve this goal as long as the instruments of integration are respected and trade is not obstructed in Central America.

More on this topic

Customs Offices Should be Open 24/7 for Cargo

June 2014

In order to expedite intraregional trade it is necessary for customs offices dealing with cargo freight, to be open all hours, just as immigration customs offices are.

A study commissioned by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America (Fecamco) concluded that there are 87 barriers to trade in the region, one of the major ones being operations of the systems at customs offices at borders, followed by bureaucratic requirements and lack of adequate infrastructure.

Strike By Truckers Continues at Salvadoran Borders

January 2014

Only cargo destined for El Salvador should be charged with the $18 fee for the inspection with scanner, request freight carriers.

According to the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), this fee violates conventions and trade agreements in the region. In addition, they believe that the inspections and the time it takes to submit all shipments to the procedures are excessive.

Strike By Truckers At El Salvador Borders

January 2014

The regional union of freight carriers is protesting about the fee for inspections using scanners at Salvadoran customs offices and the delays it has generated.

The Central American Freight Council declared a protest strike at Salvadoran borders over the payment of $18 for the inspection of cargo travelling overland.

Problems at Customs Offices in El Salvador Once Again

January 2014

Freight carriers are opposed to the collection of a fee of $18 per inspection using scanners and are threatening strikes and a change of routes.

Representatives from the freight union are analyzing re routing trucks so that they do not have to cross El Salvador in order to reach the rest of the region, instead crossing at the border of Agua Caliente, Chiquimula, into Honduras.