Due to the tropical storms Eta and Iota, severe damage has been reported to the road network in Central American countries, and some border posts in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have been suspended.
Since November 17, operations were suspended at the El Corinto, El Florido and Aguas Calientes border posts. These areas, shared by Guatemala and Honduras, are not operational, according to the Guatemalan Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT).
As of October 1st, Guatemala and Honduras will begin operating three Peripheral Customs Offices, areas that will simplify procedures and allow free community mobility between both countries.
Guatemalan and Honduran taxpayers who make definitive imports to each State Party will be the ones to benefit from the implementation of this type of customs, since the goods imported under this modality will enjoy free mobility.
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.
The Mocalempa customs and immigration control post in the Honduran province of Lempira began operating.
In order to make it easier for customs users to pay taxes and combat smuggling, the Government of the Republic, through the Presidential Commission for Comprehensive Reform of the Customs System and Trade Operators (Coprisao), today opened Customs Mocalempa, in the Mancomunidad Mapulaca, south of the department of Lempira, border between El Salvador and Honduras, informed the Presidency of Honduras.
Feasibility studies for the application of a Public-Private Partnership in the construction and maintenance works of the border crossings of La Hachadura and El Poy, and in the intermediate enclosures of Metalío and Tejutla began to be elaborated.
FOMILENIO II and the consortium Unión de Personas Pasos Fronterizos (UDP Pasos Fronterizos) signed a contract this day to carry out a technical study to determine the feasibility of a possible Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project at border crossings and intermediate precincts, according to an official statement.
Because the implementation of the Central American Single Declaration continues to generate problems in customs in the region, the contingency plan for DUCA F and DUCA was extended until June 27.
"If you use the Contingency Plan, we suggest that you make sure you arrive at the destination country with the DUCA F and DUCA T duly processed and the supporting documents," reported the Guatemalan Association of Exporters.
Since there are still difficulties arising from the implementation of the Single Central American Declaration, the Contingency Plan for DUCA F and DUCA T was extended until 17 June.
Central American customs authorities agree to maintain in force the Contingency Plan for DUCA F and DUCA T, until June 17, 2019, at 23:59 hours. If the Contingency Plan is used, we suggest that you make sure that you arrive at the destination country with the DUCA F and DUCA T duly processed and the supporting documents," explains a statement from Agexport. See full document.
Delays are reported in Salvadoran customs in San Cristóbal and La Hachadura, and difficulties in the port of Santo Tomás de Castilla, in Guatemala, because of the implementation of DUCA.
The Inter-American Commission for Trade Facilitation (CIFACIL) of El Salvador asked the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) of Guatemala, to work to solve the problems that Salvadoran companies are facing in the port of Santo Tomás de Castilla, Guatemalan maritime terminal in the Atlantic, arising from the implementation of the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA).
Since the new computer system was implemented in El Salvador, it is estimated that waiting times for imported goods moving in the Port of Acajutla have been reduced by up to 60%.
The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) reported that since November 15 last year is in operation the computer system "Sidunea World", which aims to reduce the steps in the process of importing goods.
In El Salvador, the integrated border posts El Poy, in Chalatenango, the first to have the necessary infrastructure to operate within the framework of the customs integration of the Northern Triangle, became operational.
After the adaptation of the border post, the infrastructure and computer systems of El Poy are practically ready to operate, however, the products that will have free circulation between the three countries and which goods will continue to be protected have yet to be defined.
A contract was signed for Eurofinsa to design and build the border area for freight transport in El Amatillo, El Salvador.
From the statement of Fomilenio II:
November 30, 2018. On this day, FOMILENIO II signed the contract that will lead the start order to the design and construction of the border area for freight transport of El Amatillo (Pasaquina, La Union), with the purpose of facilitating land trade from El Salvador to other Central American countries, through coordinated border management, promoting the increase in the flow of exports and imports.
Since November 15th, Acajutla's customs office in El Salvador will operate with the computer system "Sidunea World", which will reduce the process of importing goods.
From the statement of the Ministry of Finance:
November 12th, 2018. Because of several months of work by Customs, on November 15th, the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) consolidates the progressive implementation of the computer system known as "Sidunea World", which means starting with the development of the urgently needed "Paperless Customs" in El Salvador.
Eurofinsa S.A. and DISA, S.A. presented their proposals in the tender for the modernization of El Amatillo border post, in La Unión, El Salvador.
Fomilenio II stated that yesterday that the company Eurofinsa S.A. submitted an offer for $13, 667,926.02 (plus VAT), while the offer from the company DISA, S.A. de C.V. was for $22,051,121.91 (without VAT).
The Customs authorities have started to implement a pilot plan to test the new computer system in the port of Acajutla.
In response to repeated complaints about the slowness with which the current system works, the aim of the test is to ensure that the new system works properly, especially in terms of streamlining processes such as receipt of documents, reviews and dispatch of goods.