The government has announced that companies certified as Authorized Economic Operators will have access to faster foreign trade procedures.
Companies interested in achieving this logistical facility in the trade of their products should register voluntarily as Authorized Economic Operators (OAS).
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture:
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.
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.
An announcement has been made that the system of international transfer of goods is now operating normally after having experienced problems since July 29.
The system used by exporters and importers for international transit operations is now operating normally, after having reported failures which had been delaying the operations of carriers since Tuesday 29 July.
Despite the antiquity of the efforts for Central American integration and for the Customs Union the obstacles to trade between the countries on the isthmus presented by customs offices are notorious.
The Federation of Chambers and Associations of Exporters of Central America (Fecaxca) is once again calling for policies and common strategies for standards and customs procedures.
European business people have criticised errors made by customs officials in implementing the terms of the Association Agreement.
After three months of the entry into force of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union, a lack of knowledge on the part of customs authorities has complicated the implementation of the trade agreement, as explained by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Spain (CAMACOES) Italy (Camcig) and Germany.
Congress has confirmed the exemption from payment of $18 for non intrusive inspections of all goods, including exports and imports.
The suspension of the payment of $18 for the X-ray inspection of the goods will be for six months from its publication in the Official newspaper, providing President Funes endorses it.
From a press release issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
An announcement has been made of a beta version of a digital platform for paperwork and export permits which is integrated with related institutions.
From a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica :
This morning (yesterday) PROCOMER launched the beta version of Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) 2.0 a project that will revolutionize the export sector and domestic importer, offering an interoperable platform ( with approvals in minutes) between the 16 state institutions state that are involved in foreign trade procedures.
Salvadoran exporters and importers will continue to pay the $18 fee per load and only goods passing through will be exempt from the fee.
The authentic interpretation of the decree eliminating a charge of $18 for the non-intrusive inspection services at Salvadoran Customs offices was vetoed by President Mauricio Funes. Salvadoran exporters and importers will continue to pay the $18 fee per load and only goods passing through will be exempt from the fee.
"We cannot continue to be a region where trade is moving at 15 kph when developed countries have cargo moving at 60 kph."
Employers believe that border points and customs offices in Central America are limiting their work and reducing their competitiviness despite the fact that they have been selling products to each other for over a decade.
"We cannot continue to be a region where trade is moving at 15 kph when developed countries have cargo moving at 60 kph," said Jorge Daboub, president of the Federation of Private Entities of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic (FEDEPRICAP).
The IICA's (Inter-American Institute for Agricultural Cooperation) quick guide on the basics that the exporter must consider when defining logistics for export.
INTRODUCTION
The term logistics appears for the first time in the military referring to both the acquisition of equipment and materials for a mission and the timely mobilization of data and supplies.