On March 18 in San Salvador an event will be held with the theme of opportunities for defense against fines and customs taxes.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador (Camarasal):
Learning about appeal instruments, consultation and complaints, and the basic principles for documentation, plus a guide for direct users of customs services in Central America.
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.
Entrepreneurs and drivers and transporters indicate that there are a lot of inconveniences in the customs office at Port Corinto.
Truckers for example, complain of constant fines, confiscation of vans and goods without any legal reason. They are also required to pay for stays in the harbor of Punta Icaco because front loading machines are only available at night.
The exemption of fines for customs offenses will be extended, for the sixth time, until December 15.
The exemption which was to expire on 15 September will be extended until 15 December.
"We are extending the agreement because there is a new Intendent of Customs and we do not want to generate distortion in operations. We believe this will be the last extension to be given," said Pavel Centeno, Minister of Finance, yesterday.
Guatemala will reduce the grounds for tax sanction from 75 to 25, and will reduce fines up to 75%.
S21.com.gt reports that "A new initiative of the National Customs Act, has the backing of both the Government, business, customs and shipping offices, to reduce the number of grounds for sanctions to 25, from a list of 78 established in the regulation which despite being in force since February 2012, is currently suspended by government decision. "
The exemption for fines established under the National Customs Act will be extended until June 15 of this year.
According to Pavel Centeno, the Finance Minister of Guatemala, the deadline is March 15, however, it will be extended, for the fifth time, until 15 June.
"Not a single fine has been charged to anyone and it is a problem because it encourages the kind of disorders there have been in the past and it lowers tax revenues," said the official.
Joint work by businessmen and the Customs Department has born fruit in solving the bureaucratic problems in importing products.
"Today if a customs official imposes a fine, they do not retain the goods, and it will not stop the process, we will ensure that processes are facilitated", said Aguerri Adam Joseph, president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise(COSEP) at a press conference.
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.
A two month exemption from fines resulting from the application of the new law is one of the issues being debated by government and business representatives.
The Tax Authority (SAT in Spanish), customs brokers, the business community and carriers are awaiting on Friday March 16th the president's decision to issue a decree for a two month exemption from fines resulting from violations of the newly enforced Customs Act.