With the aim of better publicizing the operation of the Single Declaration, it was agreed to postpone the entry into force of the document until May 7, 2019.
The entry into force of the Central American Single Declaration (DUCA) had initially been set for April 1, 2019.
From the statement of the Single Window for Exports of Guatemala:
March 28, 2019. The Customs Office of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) informs that the Council of Economic Ministers (COMIECO) in a meeting held on March 28, 2019 in Guatemala City, through Resolution No. 410-2019, agreed to postpone until May 7, 2019, the entry into force of the Central American Single Declaration (DUCA) which had been set for April 1, 2019.
Changes implemented at customs posts have led to a reduction in the average time it takes to release containers, and tax collections in the first half of the year have increased by almost 30%.
Adjustments made to the processes by the Presidential Commission for Comprehensive Reform of the Customs and Trade Operators System (Coprisao) have reduced the time it takes for a container to be releasedto less than two days, well below the 12 to 20 days that the process took before the changes.
Approval has been given to the list of products exempted for free movement and the format of the invoice and Central American single declaration.
From a statement issued by Sieca:
Central America, January 27, 2017.In the fifteenth round of negotiations held in Tegucigalpa between January 23 and 27 2017, Guatemala and Honduras adopted measures to accelerate the implementation of a Customs Union between the two countries.
As part of the implementation of the Customs Union, Corinto was designated as a new integrated custom office, and operations will begin in the first quarter of 2017.
The resolution signed yesterday by officials of the two nations to enable the passage through Corinth in Entre Ríos, Izabal, heralds the start of a new route with greater opportunities for bilateral trade.
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".
The first Central American Congress on AEOs will be held in Guatemala City on July 20, 2016, and will provide the option of virtual participation.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
The Authorized Economic Operator format (AEO) is an option for individuals or legal entities that meet international safety standards and rules, requirements and obligations under the current Customs Act and the Customs Service regulations.
Companies that are certified as AEOs are able to reduce paperwork and are given priority at customs offices.
Like Costa Rica and Guatemala, Panama is now using the AEO program. Companies interested in obtaining certification should contact the National Customs Authority.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
A program to certify private sector companies dedicated to foreign trade and which is regulated by customs rules was launched on Wednesday by the Government of the Republic of Panama, through the National Customs Authority (ANA).
The current customs legislation has been unified into a single document and changes will be implemented in processes to establish deposits made to order merchandise and refunding taxes, among other things.
Approval of the decree that integrates into a single document all national regulations and the Central American Uniform Customs Code (Cauca) is one of the steps that was needed for full integration of Panama into the Central American Customs Union. It is expected that accession to the bloc will occur within six months.
Businessmen are complaining about erroneous charges being levied by Customs on exempted companies, courier shipments or cargo that does not even reach the borders.
The incorrect application of the new rules on the charge of $18 which applies in Salvadoran customs offices for the use of X-rays starting from 1 January 2016, is causing problems and provoked a reaction by seven private sector unions that form the Intergremial Commission for Trade Facilitation (Cifacil).
The union claims that the blockade by 23 customs officers for allegedly failing to comply with customs bonds is delaying foreign trade procedures at customs offices.
In a statement published in Honduran media, the National Federation of Customs Brokers (FENADUANAH) denounced that it is opposed to the decision of the Revenue Office to block access to the Automated System for Customs Income to 23 customs officials for allegedly failing to comply with the payment of customs bonds required by regulations.
Despite innumerable meetings of leaders and officials who frequently express their willingness to act on the issue, customs transit continues to be the main factor affecting logistics costs for regional trade.
At the first congress of freight transport in El Salvador once again the problem that continues to prevent the region achieving greater commercial development, was brought to the light.
Starting April chambers of commerce in the region will be providing free training on phytosanitary controls, management at border posts and customs procedures for exporting firms.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica:
As of April, the Chamber of Commerce of Costa Rica will be running a training program on trade facilitation for the public and private sector, within the framework of a cooperation agreement signed between the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Central America (FECAMCO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement the USAID Regional Project on Trade and Market Partnerships.
The agreement between the two governments states that as of December 15, 2015 customs offices at common borders will suspend their tax functions and allow the free movement of goods and people.
From a statement issued by the Government of Guatemala:
64 years after having started the process of Central American integration, the presidents of Guatemala, Otto Pérez Molina, and Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernandez, signed a historic agreement for a customs union between the two nations today, from which it is expected that economic growth of 15% will be produced in the short term. The agreement aims to eliminate the three land crossings on the borders of the two countries.
Central America must improve the quality standards of its products, learn more about the consumers and simplify processes in order to take advantage of the opportunities of the Agreement with the European Union.
In order to maximize the opportunities provided by the Association Agreement which has been signed with the European Union (EU), Central American companies must have a better understanding of the European market, which has more than 500 million consumers who are demanding in terms of quality and food safety. Furthermore, it is essential to simplify export procedures in order to expedite the process of obtaining permits and other procedures which are reducing export competitiveness in Central America.