Central American companies are asking the Salvadoran government to intervene in the conflict, which is already generating huge losses.
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.
They are supporting Costa Rica in the dispute it has with El Salvador over the lack of respect for the DR -CAFTA and they are requesting action to be taken to end the paralysis of intraregional trade at Salvadoran customs offices.
The Federation of Chambers and Associations of Exporters in Central America (Fecaxca) is proposing that the fee of $18 being charged at customs offices in El Salvador be only imposed on goods which have the country as a final destination, and not everything that passes through Salvadoran territory which may be destined for other Central American countries.
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.
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.
An understanding between authorities in Costa Rica and Panama to facilitate administrative procedures has allowed free passage for hundreds of trucks.
"... It was agreed that in Panama controls will be conducted at reasonable times so that inspections take as little time as possible, there is also a commitment to be able to pay the fines within 30 days or before leaving the country, in this regard there are plans to create a site for paying fines, which can be done by all Central Americans", reported Prensa.com.
The legislature has passed a special scheme for fast entry of goods into the country, for a 30 day period.
The measure seeks to reward those importers who have incurred losses the week long closure of several border posts because of a strike by customs workers.
Workers agreed to lift the measure, which began as a protest against non-payment of a $1,000 bonus, after negotiating with the tax authorities.
The Ministry of Finance’s customs and administrative services have been re-established and imports and exports are being processed normally.
The strike held last week has generated millions in losses not only for the country’s trade but throughout the region.
This morning the resumption of activities was reported at various border points such as Anguiatú and San Cristobal, Santa Ana and El Amatillo, in La Union.
The Salvadoran border closure is affecting not only the local industry but also neighboring countries with losses of millions of dollars.
Since last Tuesday, the strike at the borders which led to the cessation of domestic trade, has also affected regional trade.
"The blockade has generated, since that day, the paralysis of trade, not only locally but also regionally, as trucks could not transport import and export products.
Officials at the Ministry of Finance and Customs have kept customs offices at a standstill for the third day running.
Business groups are concerned about the extent of the emergency measure which has generated large economic losses for businesses.
Laprensagrafica.com reports, "At the customs border posts of El Poy, El Amatillo, The Chinamas and The Hachadura, staff of the National Civil Police (PNC) was deployed during the morning to streamline administrative processes and prevent transit through them being further affected.
Salvadoran business associations are calling for dialogue and rapid lifting of the strike in order to avoid generating further losses and a possible 'stagnation of exports'.
The vice president of the Miramar zone, Ricardo Avila, reported that none of customs offices in the free zones are operating.
"'We hope the situation will be resolved soon, not going on for longer than one or two days because, otherwise, the stakes are very high in terms of lost contracts for export companies, seeing as the free zones are the country's leading exporters' he said, and warned that the risk is of ' a cessation of exports, which means cancelled contracts and what nobody wants, job losses", reports Laprensagrafica.com.
Goods vehicles can not pass through customs posts at the Salvadoran border, where Treasury officials are on strike.
Various business groups have expressed concern about the strike, which is causing serious economic losses for businesses.
Regarding this, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in El Salvador states that "We have learned from our partners that the suspension of customs duties has already begun to generate losses of perishable products, delays in delivery times and possible shortages of basic goods, especially vegetables from other countries in the region and those that supply El Salvador. "
For the second day various borders remain closed to cargo coming into the country.
Finance Ministry officials are on strike in protest against the headquarters of the entity, demanding compliance with employment benefits.
Immigration authorities said the strike does is not affecting people entering or leaving the country.
In addition, starting today, customs employees at Comalapa International Airport will join in the protest, without affecting the journeys by foreigners or Salvadorans who need to board a plane", reports Laprensagrafica.com
The strike that began on Wednesday by customs agents was ended yesterday afternoon.
The shut-down of customs affected the entrance and exit of goods and merchandise at all borders and ports in the country, leaving losses in the amount of nearly $100 million.
Prensa.com published: “…the strike was ended after an agreement was signed between the head of the government and the Secretary General of the Customs Workers Trade Union, Edgardo Goytier.”
The strike which began yesterday by customs agents, who are demanding a raise in salary, is costing the Colon Free Trade Zone $50 million a day.
The activities impede the importation and exportation of goods from the Free Trade Zone of Colon and continue to paralyze activity at ports, airports, and border crossings.
Giovanni Ferrari, President of the Free Trade Zone Users Association, informed Prensa.com: “This strike has a devastating effect for the Free Trade Zone. This internal problem only adds to the problems that we already have been having with some of our main clients, such as Colombia and Ecuador.”