On December 2nd the amendments to the law that regulates the processes for entry and exit of goods into the country will take effect.
From a press release published in Diario de Centro América:
Decree 14-2013 of Congress, National Customs Act, published today in the Diario de Centro América, will take effect on 2 December and contains in its articles customs procedures and supplementary provisions, administrative offenses and sanctions, with the aim of regulating the entry and exit of goods in Guatemala.
The aim of the new rule is to prevent bias in the interpretation of the Act and the application of sanctions.
From a press release issued by the Congress of Guatemala:
With the main purpose of overcoming the difficulties in foreign trade and generating greater competitiveness, agility, controls, service improvement and increased social benefit, the National Assembly has passed decree 14-2013, National Customs Act in one discussion and with the status of national emergency.
By Governmental Accord administrative customs offenses punishable by a fine, and their cumulative effects, will be exempted until September 15, 2012.
The Governmental Accord 121-2012 from the Ministry of Finance states that it has “agreed to waive, for a term expiring on June 15, 2012, up to one hundred percent (100%) of fines to any individual or legal person incurred in some of the administrative customs offenses punishable by a fine established by the National Customs Law contained in Book III of Decree No. 10-2012 of the Congress.”
The American Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce noted that the implementation of the Act without the respective regulations is confusing, taking away transparency in the system and increasing costs.
The Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) has requested that the Government suspend the Customs Act, which was included in the recently approved tax reform.
By executive decree, the government of Guatemala is exempting businesses and individuals from paying fines for customs offenses between March 19th and June 15th, 2012.
In the stipulated period, the Ministry of Finance will exempt any person or legal entity who commits any of the administrative customs offenses punishable by a fine established by the National Customs Act, under Government Agreement No. 51-2012.