Due to the tropical storms Eta and Iota, severe damage has been reported to the road network in Central American countries, and some border posts in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have been suspended.
Since November 17, operations were suspended at the El Corinto, El Florido and Aguas Calientes border posts. These areas, shared by Guatemala and Honduras, are not operational, according to the Guatemalan Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT).
As of October 1st, Guatemala and Honduras will begin operating three Peripheral Customs Offices, areas that will simplify procedures and allow free community mobility between both countries.
Guatemalan and Honduran taxpayers who make definitive imports to each State Party will be the ones to benefit from the implementation of this type of customs, since the goods imported under this modality will enjoy free mobility.
In Guatemala, the Superintendence of Tax Administration authorized Corporación Disatel S.A. to provide the service of electronic tags for the control of containers in the country.
Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras have yet to finalize their Customs Union, since this week a new round of negotiations began in which they will follow up on the project to implement the advance declaration.
Although in December 2018 it was reported that the El Poy integrated border post in Chalatenango, the first to have the necessary infrastructure to operate within the framework of the customs integration of the Northern Triangle, began operating in El Salvador, the unification process is currently under negotiation among the countries.
Two companies are expected to complete certification this month to provide the electronic tax stamps service in Guatemala, and by January 2019 they would be operating throughout the entire customs system.
In July of this year, it was announced that the tender for the service of electronic tax stamps for containers in Guatemalan customs would no longer be carried out, allowing several companies to provide their services independently.
On November 12th, the VII Round of Negotiations for the inclusion of El Salvador in the integration process towards the free transit of individuals and goods between Guatemala and Honduras began in San Salvador.
The negotiations between the three countries will last the entire week and it is expected that this round of dialogues will address issues related to the customs, migration, sanitary and phytosanitary challenges facing El Salvador.
Industria La Popular, Grupo Cropa and Grupo Vical, are the three companies qualified as new Authorized Economic Operators by the Superintendency of Tax Administration.
According to the authorities at the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), the figure of Authorized Economic Operator (OAS), which is recognized by the World Trade Organization, facilitates trade, security and control, as well as compliance in tax, customs and legal matters.
The tender for the service of electronic tax stamps for containers passing through Guatemalan customs will no longer be carried out, meaning that several companies will be able to offer their services independently.
Last June the Superintendency of Tax Administration of Guatemala had convened an informative meeting for companies that were interested in the qualification process to provide the electronic tax stamp service.
The union of Salvadoran freight forwarders has announced that they could stop transporting merchandise to the neighboring country on November 1 and 2, in protest against a supposed extraordinary charge of $40 that the Guatemalan tax authority levies during the holidays.
Although the Salvadoran Association of International Freight Carriers (Astic) insists that they have to pay this additional fee when they enter Guatemala with merchandise on holidays, the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) explained that in those days there is no extra charge.
The passage of freight transport is being blocked by demonstrations held by Guatemalan teachers which have forced the closure of the customs offices of Pedro de Alvarado, San Cristobal and La Ermita.
The private sector grouped under the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (Cacif) has called for an end to the blockades that are already affecting Puerto Quetzal and the route to the border at Pedro de Alvarado, in Jutiapa, towards El Salvador.
Guatemalan agricultural exporters have questioned the measure taken by the Treasury to seize bank accounts in order to recover unpaid taxes, arguing that it is affecting their operations.
Arguing that the measure is attached to the law, the Tax Administration has defended its right to take injunctive measures such as seizing bank accounts in order to recover taxes that companies have stopped paying.
In the customs offices of Tecun Uman working hours have been extended both on the Guatemalan and Mexican side in order to allow passage of trucks which until now had been left stranded.
The Superintendent of Tax Administration is also operating an extraordinary timetable, a measure which could be extended for a few days, depending on what is decided at the end of the weekend.
Companies operating under the Law for the Promotion of Export Activities and Maquilas will be able to deduct the VAT paid on electricity.
By presenting a certifying document to the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) exporters will be exempted from paying VAT on their electricity bill, since it is a"... tax benefit according to decrees 29-89 and 19-2016 " explained the lawyer Rodrigo Barillas in an activity organized by Agexport.
Within three to four months the SAT plans to start implementing a selective "blue" process, which involves clearing containers so that they only go through one documentary process or warehousing goods inspection.
The measure aims to streamline the inspection process, free up space in ports and reduce waiting times, explained Werrner Ovalle, intendent of Customs.
Free zone companies have denounced that lack of regulation for the emerging employment law is preventing them from selling products completed before the law came into force.
As well as the finished and ready to be marketed products there are also raw materials, machinery and other production materials which entered the free zone before the new law was passed and are now in a legal vacuum, because of the absence of regulation to establish the treatment to be given to them in the context of the new legislation.
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