With the aim of better publicizing the operation of the Single Declaration, it was agreed to postpone the entry into force of the document until May 7, 2019.
The entry into force of the Central American Single Declaration (DUCA) had initially been set for April 1, 2019.
From the statement of the Single Window for Exports of Guatemala:
March 28, 2019. The Customs Office of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) informs that the Council of Economic Ministers (COMIECO) in a meeting held on March 28, 2019 in Guatemala City, through Resolution No. 410-2019, agreed to postpone until May 7, 2019, the entry into force of the Central American Single Declaration (DUCA) which had been set for April 1, 2019.
One of the benefits of the legal reform approved by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador is the maximum tolerance margin of 5% on parameters of quantity, volume, weight or value of the goods, applying the most favorable to the declarant.
From a statement issued by the Legislature:
May 15, 2018.In order to adapt the customs legislation to the prevailing foreign trade trends to facilitate and expedite procedures, the Legislative Plenum endorsed reforms to the Special Law for Punishing Customs Infractions.
Changes implemented at customs posts have led to a reduction in the average time it takes to release containers, and tax collections in the first half of the year have increased by almost 30%.
Adjustments made to the processes by the Presidential Commission for Comprehensive Reform of the Customs and Trade Operators System (Coprisao) have reduced the time it takes for a container to be releasedto less than two days, well below the 12 to 20 days that the process took before the changes.
With advice from the government of South Korea, the Customs Directorate is preparing a plan to implement an electronic dispatch system to expedite procedures.
From a statement issued by the Directorate General of Customs:
Officials from the Korean Customs Service, KCS, are in the country to make a diagnosis on the current status of customs in El Salvador, during the period from May 11 to June 8 of this year.
The Salvadoran business sector is opposed to the decision of President Sánchez Cerén to veto reforms to the customs simplification law, which established concrete measures to streamline foreign trade procedures.
From a statement issued by the Inter-Trade Commission for Trade Facilitation (CIFACIL):
The Trade Facilitation Commission (CIFACIL), which groups together seven production unions from El Salvador, deplores the decision of the President of the Republic, Salvador Sánchez Cerén, to veto the reforms to the Customs Simplification Law, which were aimed at advancing the adoption of concrete measures to facilitate trade and which will help overcome the stagnation of foreign trade by our country.
It has been announced that the service for processing foreign trade procedures between the customs posts Pedro de Alvarado and La Hachadura is to operate 24 hours a day.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala:
The export processing service between the customs posts Pedro de Alvarado and La Hachadura will operate continuously 24 hours a day as a result of pilot plan agreed between the authorities in Guatemala and El Salvador which aims to guarantee customs operations.
The business sector has applauded the approval of a reform to the Customs Simplification Law, which is expected to achieve the much needed speed in foreign trade procedures.
From a statement issued by the Inter-Trade Commission for Trade Facilitation (CIFACIL):
April 17, 2017.The Inter-Trade Commission for Trade Facilitation (CIFACIL), wishes to express its satisfaction with the approval of the reforms to the Customs Simplification Law.The Legislative Assembly approved this initiative with 43 votes from the parties GANA, ARENA, PCN and PDC, which represents a great step forward to improving and facilitating foreign trade which has been severely affected in recent years.
The customs union proposes creating a special customs office for goods such as parcels and used products, which require more complex and slower revisions than the other products.
Elheraldo.hn reports that "...The Fenaduanah believes that the creation of a special customs tax for high-risk goods will facilitate trade of other imported goods."
Assigning container inspections to a "green channel" for importers with a good record and creating a one-stop shop to streamline procedures is part of what has been proposed to reduce congestion at the port.
Constant complaints over problems and delays faced by entrepreneurs in the Honduran port terminal have led the government to prepare a series of measures to reduce container inspection times and streamline processes to export or import goods through the port.See: "Customs Problems Arise in Puerto Cortes Again".
Employers have pointed to limitations on the certificate extended by the Customs Office and doubt its efficiency as there is no certainty that it will be valid at the regional level.
The purpose of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status is to contribute in the implementation of safety guidelines in order to have a secure supply chain, but in El Salvador the certificate granted by the Directorate General of Customs has, in the opinion of local entrepreneurs, some limitations which hinders its optimal use. One of them is that the benefits only apply on the borders of El Salvador, without making any change to the market with the countries of Central America.
The first Central American Congress on AEOs will be held in Guatemala City on July 20, 2016, and will provide the option of virtual participation.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
The Authorized Economic Operator format (AEO) is an option for individuals or legal entities that meet international safety standards and rules, requirements and obligations under the current Customs Act and the Customs Service regulations.
Companies that are certified as AEOs are able to reduce paperwork and are given priority at customs offices.
Like Costa Rica and Guatemala, Panama is now using the AEO program. Companies interested in obtaining certification should contact the National Customs Authority.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
A program to certify private sector companies dedicated to foreign trade and which is regulated by customs rules was launched on Wednesday by the Government of the Republic of Panama, through the National Customs Authority (ANA).
Simplification of the import process in Acajutla and a reduction in delivery times of goods for export are part of the changes announced by the Ministry of Finance.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance:
The Ministry of Finance, through the Directorate General of Customs, announces the implementation of measures that will improve the flow of goods, transit and people and in turn, reduce the time it takes to carry out procedures for Salvadoran exports, all in order to decongest borders and make controls more agile:
In protest against the slow pace with which procedures are processed at customs offices, a group of customs managers and truck drivers have blocked off the entrance to the terminal facilities.
Soy502.com reports that on Friday afternoon "... a group of about 350 people blocked access to facilities of the Port of Santo Tomas de Castilla." The blockades started on Wednesday, March 9, causing delays and discomfort for exporters and importers.
An audit has found deficiencies in infrastructure and management, impacting negatively on trade facilitation, control of goods, and tax collection.
From the conclusions of the evaluation report by the Comptroller General of the Republic of Costa Rica:
The audit determined that the customs office's management of issues and indicators covered in this report, associated with the performance of the functions of trade facilitation, the control of goods and tax collection, is not effective, and needs improvement.