From May 2019, foreign customers will have to declare to local system banks that their funds meet their country's tax requirements.
The Superintendence of Banks of Panama (SBP) approved Agreement 02-2019, which implements the recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force, which consists of expanding the required due diligence measures of banks with their customers.
The tax burden grew from 13.4% in 2013 to 14% in 2016, both due to the delayed effect of the tax reforms in Honduras and Nicaragua, as well as better management on the part of tax entities in Guatemala and Panama.
From the Regional Economic Report (IER) 2016-2017: Opportunities and challenges for Central America, by the SIECA:
A court ruling has overturned the SAT resolutions authorizing Empresa Portuaria Quetzal y Terminal de Contenedores Quetzal to operate as temporary customs warehouses.
Although the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) has announced that it will be appealing the ruling given by the Second Administrative Appeals Chamber, the reality is that since June 28, the activities of the customs warehouses in Empresa Portuaria Quetzal (EPQ) have been suspended as well as those at the Terminal de Contenedores Quetzal (TCQ)."...The resolution orders that the SAT no longer has the customs service under its administration, which contravenes the Central American Customs Code CAUCA, therefore the Superintendency will file an appeal against the decision made by the Court."
An announcement has been made that in 2016 an integrated system will be used to to carry out fiscal, safety and phytosanitary controls in a single revision.
The Tax Authority will be responsible for deciding the date of the launch of the new system, which will integrate phytosanitary controls, customs and security in the container terminal of Puerto Quetzal.
Approval has been given to the creation of a global system of digital certification to control pests and plant diseases which can spread during international trade.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), consisting of 181 countries, has approved the creation of a new global electronic certification system called E-Phyto, which will help stop the spread of pests and diseases via agricultural products transported in international trade, in a way that is safer and cheaper.
The FDA now requires calorie information to be included on menus of restaurants, chain, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations.
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) US:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has finalized two regulations requiring the inclusion of calorie information on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations, in order to offer consumers greater nutritional information on food eaten outside of the home. The regulations are a requirement of the law on Affordable Health Care and Patient Protection 2010.
As part of the controls to combat smuggling, between May and July 29 companies were suspended from the list of importers, which represents 60% of the total volume of pairs of shoes entering the country.
In order to detect and prevent irregularities in the import of footwear, the General Administration of Federal Tax Audit Tax Administration Service of Mexico carried out 31 audits "...
Due to recent seizures of products attempting to enter the country without health permits, an announced has been made of enhanced controls to prevent the entry of any food that does not have the appropriate certifications.
From a statement issued by the Government of Panama:
Pursuant to the Health Standards and / or phytosanitary and health protection of the population, the Panamanian Authority for Food Safety (AUPSA) reiterates that any food product that does not meet the required provisions will be retained, returned or incinerated if necessary.
Due to the detection of new risks in some plant products coming from Asian countries, increased controls have been placed on foodstuffs entering from abroad.
From statement by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
In recent weeks, the European Union (EU) has seen the need to increase controls to ensure food security in the EU market.
Exporters are advised to include details of the destination and ultimate consignee in Russia if the merchandise has to transit through Europe in order to avoid being rejected by the Russian customs service.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Due to the ban by Russia on food imports from the United States, the European Union and other nations that have joined the sanctions policy of Washington and Brussels; the Office of Trade Promotion PROCOMER located in Germany recommends to the agriculture and food sector with clients in Russia, that when using a port within the European Union as a transshipment port or linking point for multimodal transit, they must ensure that all original documentation clearly indicates the destination and ultimate consignee in Russia, because, otherwise, the load will be rejected at the border by the Russian customs service.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued new phytosanitary requirements for tomato shipments to the country.
From a statement issued by the State Phytosanitary Service, Costa Rica:
The Department of Agriculture (USDA), through Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Service (APHIS) has issued an update on the Federal Order on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), affecting Costa Rica.
The rule adopted by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration aims to eliminate border controls and forces companies to give a 15 working days notice for imports and exports.
Crhoy reports that "...Some representatives of the private sector in Central America have criticized a directive which came into effect this month, which imposes new phytosanitary measures for exports and imports, which was approved by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (Comieco). ". ..In contrast, Costa Rican exporters "... say they have had no problems at the moment and they are ready, in fact they recognize that it will facilitate trade."
The United States Department of Agriculture will apply a new system to examine meat for drugs, pesticides and other harmful agents.
A statement from the Trade Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) reads:
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued new regulations for beef and chicken.
The United States Department of Agriculture recently issued new regulations for residues of veterinary drugs in meat from chicken and beef sold in this country.
Engineering & Design for distributed process control systems (DCS) for industrial production/energy plants. Professional services creating and optimizing applications for DCS.
Organization that operates in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama
Phone: (506) 2231 6272 - (506) 2231 0982