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.
Since January 1, 2020, Nicaraguan authorities have been charging $25 for the electronic processing of the Single Central American Transit Declaration, a cost that exceeds by 233% what was paid until the end of 2019.
Until December 31 last year, the General Directorate of Customs Services (DGA) charged $7.5 for the Single Central American Declaration in Transit (DUCA), but with the new provision of the authorities, the cost increased by $17.5 for 2020.
After having been extended several times, the contingency plan for DUCA F and DUCA was finalized on July 8, however, there is uncertainty because the platform is not fully operational.
Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador agreed on a plan that seeks to guarantee order and security at the Integrated Border Posts, and also approved the technical documents for the operation of Radio Frequency devices at the borders.
The Guatemalan Ministry of Economy (Mineco) reported that the countries in the Northern Triangle approved on May 28 a security plan for the Integrated Border Posts (IFP) of the Customs Union (AU), which was signed by the ministers responsible for security in these countries.
With the entry into force of the Single Central American Declaration, businessmen in the region report losses because of the delays generated by the implementation of the new system in the import and export processes.
At the end of March, a report was made that the Council of Economic Ministers (COMIECO) agreed to postpone to May 7, 2019, the entry into force of the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA), which had initially been set for April 1, 2019.
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.
In the fourth round of negotiations to incorporate El Salvador into the customs union process with Guatemala and Honduras, issues such as internal taxes, phytosanitary measures and tariffs, among others, will be discussed.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The IV Round of negotiations for the incorporation of El Salvador into the process of Deep Integration towards the Free Transit of People and Goods between the Republics of Honduras and Guatemala, began today in San Salvador.
In Costa Rica, an action of unconstitutionality filed almost three years ago is preventing the construction of a customs post on the border with Nicaragua, which would allow cargo transportation to be spared a distance of 160 kilometers.
Although the government has the $12 million needed for the final construction of the border post, where a temporary container has operated since 2013, the unconstitutionality action filed by the environmentalist Alvaro Sagot, is preventing the project from progressing.
A significant improvement has been reported in the time it takes customs authorities in the port terminal of Honduras to inspect and review containers.
The measures implemented over the last year in customs offices in Honduras have made it possible to streamline the processes of review and clearance of containers, something which in recent years had become a headache for employers.
The $42 charge that the Guatemalan tax authority levied at border points during the holiday season will be eliminated starting from November 1 of this year.
Guatemala, Oct 31 (DE). - The Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) reported that as of today it will not make extraordinary collections during holidays as it did prior to November 1, when it commemorated All Saints' Day.
The so-called "modernization" of the North American Free Trade Agreement promoted by Trump brings to the table the need to diversify the destinations of Mexican exports, and the Aztecs are starting to look to the nearby South.
An article on T21.com.mx highlights that "in recent months the debate has opened in the country on diversifying the export destinations of Mexican goods, taking advantage of the ten treaties and agreements that Mexico has signed and which bring it closer to 40 other countries. Mexico has had a Free Trade Agreement with Central America since 2013."
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.
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."
The resources are part of the budget allocated for the reform of the customs system, and will be used to improve infrastructure at customs offices and to buy equipment.
The $31 million is the first disbursement made by the government to the Presidential Commission for Comprehensive Reform of the System of Customs Offices and Trade Operators (Coprisao), which will implement the plan to improve the conditions under which customs operate.
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