As a result of the exponential growth of e-commerce at the global level, the region's customs authorities will face multiple challenges in the coming years in order to carry out their functions properly.
The current context, with consumers changing their preferences and increasingly valuing ease, convenience and time savings in their purchases, has forced companies to strengthen their online marketing channels, which in turn makes it necessary for Customs to optimize their processes.
On 20 and 21 May, representatives from more than 20 countries in America will discuss in El Salvador the features of this tool and its influence on foreign trade.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Economy in El Salvador:
El Salvador has been selected as the site to host the Third Meeting of Single Foreign Trade Windows, an event that is sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank and will be attended by representatives from 27 countries of Latin.
Differences in customs processes between Central American countries to date are preventing them from trading as a block, in this case, with the EU.
According to the manager of the Integration and Trade Sector at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Antoni Estevadeordal, trade agreements themselves are not a guarantee of success."It is not enough to have a policy of openness.
The function of the AEO is to contribute to the implementation of safety guidelines of the World Customs Organization in order to have a secure supply chain.
From Wikipedia:
"The AEO certificate, issued by customs authorities in the EU and many other countries using the same or a similar name, is a trusted certificate which Customs offices give to traders who meet certain requirements which demonstrate to the customs offices their reliability regarding customs processes, solvency and safety. It is granted to operators involved in the chain of international trade, whether natural or legal persons, provided that the professional activity of these operators is subject to customs regulations, such as importers, exporters, manufacturers, representatives at customs offices, bearers, carriers , terminal operators, shippers etc.
Advances made in the past two years in the Central American customs offices are still not sufficient, and related costs amount to 38% of logistics costs.
The best advances have been made in customs processes relating to merchandise transported between Central American countries.
Investigating the topic Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "The biggest problem is imports from countries like the U.S.
Within one year, the country could be certified as an Authorized Economic Operator by the World Customs Organization.
This certification oversees the entire logistics chain involved in international commerce.
Angela Bigueur, head of the Customs Authority, told Laprensagrafica.com that “the country wants the certification to be recognized internationally for its logistics and tax processes”.
The World Customs Organization and SIECA will sign an agreement to support Central America in harmonizing and standardizing custom procedures.
Currently, Central America has 96% of its tariff code harmonized, and the remaining 4% will be discussed over the next two years. A unique, harmonized tariff code should be ready by 2012, when the Association Agreement with the European Union is expected to come into effect.
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