The regulations in force for Central America allow two methods of certifying the weight of cargo moving through ports in the region.
The new regulations in force since July 1 oblige entities transporting containerized cargo by sea tocertify its weight under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas). The problem cited by exporters is the increase this will have on costs, in addition to infrastructure problems faced in some ports in the region.
In Colombia a simplified export procedure allows anyone to use the system, by sending their product through courier companies.
The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia, with the aim of promoting the export of small quantities of coffee, has developed a simplified export procedure, which allows any natural or legal person who has registered in advance as a coffee exporter to make use of this format, whereby companies use postal and courier services, which will be registered in the system of the Federation for that purpose.
Tires, ceramics, auto parts and raw materials are part of the list of 2,800 products which will incur higher fees in order to enter the Ecuadorian market from March 11.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Trade in Ecuador:
The external landscape has changed expectations regarding our balance of payments and we are facing a new scenario which affects the commercial arena which is low oil prices, the appreciation of the US dollar, so it is necessary to take measures to regulate the general level of imports and balance our trade balance.
The government of Honduras has announced that it will continue spraying trucks from El Salvador, due to the presence of a pest, but without charging the fee of $10 as it has so far done.
Fumigation of all trucks leaving the Salvadoran borders is essential since the presence of the pink hibiscus mealybug pest was detected in some shipments in recent weeks.
The deadline for food exporters to update their details with the Food and Drug Administration of USA is December 31, 2014.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
Every company which manufactures, processes, packs or holds food for human or animal consumption and export to the United States must renew its registration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of the measures included in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The deadline for this adjustment will be from 1 October to 31 December.
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.
New legislation establishes the same inspection processes for food imports and exports and domestically produced foodstuffs.
From a press release issued by the American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA):
Exporters in Latin America and the Caribbean who market their products in Canada will probably have to improve their agricultural health and food safety (AHFS) controls if Canada approves a proposal aimed at modernizing its regulations.
Questions and answers on the application of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on food information to consumers.
Starting in December 2014 the regulation No. 1169/2011 on food information for consumers will come into effect.
On October 25, 2011, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information given to consumers (hereinafter called 'the IAC Regulation').
Packaged foods that are exported to the South American country must indicate levels of sugar, salt and fat.
The advertising of packaged foods containing high levels of sugar, salt or fat must contain the message "Eating healthy and exercising is good for your health." The new regulation applies to products manufactured in Chile and imported ones.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Nutritional labels on food exported to Mexico detailing sugar, fat and salt on exports to Ecuador are part of the changes.
The Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN) confirmed that from this and next year Mexico and Ecuador will implement new labeling rules for foods and beverages. Exporters will have to take into account those rules if they want to place their products in those markets.
Starting October 28 a new rule for the production and labeling of fruit juices exported to the European Union will take effect.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Royal Decree 781/2013, published on October 11th and ready to take effect on October 28 2013 in all EU member states, contains a number of developments in the preparation and labeling of fruit juices.
The European Union has put into effect a regulation to combat trade in products manufactured with illegal timber with an emphasis on traceability.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
In March the European Union (EU) put into effect Regulation (EU) 995/2010 of the European Parliament which seeks to regulate the market for wood products in order to minimize the risk of selling illegal timber in the EU, this regulation requires the operator or company responsible for introducing a product of this nature to the region to be able to apply the principle of "due diligence", so as to ensure that timber traded is legal.
The new rules include packaged foods with high levels of nutrients considered critical such as salt, sugar, saturated fat and calories.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The undersecretary of Public Health in Chile, Jorge Diaz, has unveiled the new rules in the law on food labeling. The document sets out how warnings should be placed on packaged foods with high levels of nutrients considered critical, such as salt, sugar, saturated fat and calories, the rules of which will be subject to public consultation on the website of the Ministry of Health.
A new regulation governing food additives in products exported to the European Union will be applied from December 1st, 2012.
From a statement by Procomer:
Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of the European Commission, establishing specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III of Regulation (CE) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and Council will apply from 1st December 2012, with exceptions.