Industria La Popular, Grupo Cropa and Grupo Vical, are the three companies qualified as new Authorized Economic Operators by the Superintendency of Tax Administration.
According to the authorities at the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), the figure of Authorized Economic Operator (OAS), which is recognized by the World Trade Organization, facilitates trade, security and control, as well as compliance in tax, customs and legal matters.
The agreement signed between the governments is aimed at the mutual recognition of trade operators that have obtained the AEO certification in either of the two countries.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance:
April 27, 2018.Last week Costa Rica signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement between the Authorized Economic Operator programs of our country and Mexico, as well as an Action Plan with Colombia that will allow negotiation of mutual recognition between our AEO programs and those of that South American country, during XXI Regional Conference of Directors of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean (CRDGA), held in Los Cabos, Mexico.
The government has announced that companies certified as Authorized Economic Operators will have access to faster foreign trade procedures.
Companies interested in achieving this logistical facility in the trade of their products should register voluntarily as Authorized Economic Operators (OAS).
The three local companies that were certified as AEOs will have priority in customs and will be able to carry out processes in less time and at less cost.
Employers have pointed to limitations on the certificate extended by the Customs Office and doubt its efficiency as there is no certainty that it will be valid at the regional level.
The purpose of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status is to contribute in the implementation of safety guidelines in order to have a secure supply chain, but in El Salvador the certificate granted by the Directorate General of Customs has, in the opinion of local entrepreneurs, some limitations which hinders its optimal use. One of them is that the benefits only apply on the borders of El Salvador, without making any change to the market with the countries of Central America.
The first Central American Congress on AEOs will be held in Guatemala City on July 20, 2016, and will provide the option of virtual participation.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
The Authorized Economic Operator format (AEO) is an option for individuals or legal entities that meet international safety standards and rules, requirements and obligations under the current Customs Act and the Customs Service regulations.
Companies that are certified as AEOs are able to reduce paperwork and are given priority at customs offices.
Like Costa Rica and Guatemala, Panama is now using the AEO program. Companies interested in obtaining certification should contact the National Customs Authority.
Companies which are certified as Authorized Economic Operators will be able to reduce paperwork times and have priority at customs.
In order to access this certification interested companies must be up to date with tax and customs payments, tax requirements, and review legal and administrative processes, industrial safety and human resources. The cost of certification varies according to the processes which need to be improved.
An announcement has been made that the program which certifies businesses and streamlines customs procedures could be implemented in 2015.
AEO certification, which is not mandatory, which helps exporters and importers carry out processes for their products at customs posts, and is an initiative promoted by the World Customs Organization.
An announcement has been made of the launch of a pilot scheme for certifying companies as AEO in order to expedite processes at customs offices.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance of El Salvador:
The Ministry of Finance through the Directorate General of Customs, has presented the progress made in AEO in El Salvador, which incorporates best practices customs offices from around the world.
The function of the AEO is to contribute to the implementation of safety guidelines of the World Customs Organization in order to have a secure supply chain.
From Wikipedia:
"The AEO certificate, issued by customs authorities in the EU and many other countries using the same or a similar name, is a trusted certificate which Customs offices give to traders who meet certain requirements which demonstrate to the customs offices their reliability regarding customs processes, solvency and safety. It is granted to operators involved in the chain of international trade, whether natural or legal persons, provided that the professional activity of these operators is subject to customs regulations, such as importers, exporters, manufacturers, representatives at customs offices, bearers, carriers , terminal operators, shippers etc.