During the third quarter of 2021 there was a 20% increase equivalent to $1.59 billion, the main supplier of electrical transformers for Central America was China with $521 million, cornering the region with 33%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
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.
Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras agreed that May 4, 2020 is the new date for the use of the Central American Single Invoice and Declaration.
From the Agexport statement:
September 30, 2019. The Ministry of Economy through the Vice-Ministry of Integration and Foreign Trade announced on September 27, 2019 that in a meeting with the Ministerial Instance of the Customs Union of the Republics of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras it was agreed as follows:
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.
The Cortizo administration is preparing a bill to create the Integrated Control System at the border with Costa Rica, with the aim of simplifying the transit of people, vehicles and goods between the two countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama reported that Alejandro Ferrer, head of the institution, with the support of the Director of the Customs Authority of Panama, Tayra Barsallo, presented to the Cabinet Council, the draft law approving the framework agreement to implement integrated binational control systems at the border crossings between Panama and Costa Rica (Paso Canoa, Rio Sereno and Sixaola).
After having been extended several times, the contingency plan for DUCA F and DUCA was finalized on July 8, however, there is uncertainty because the platform is not fully operational.
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.
Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador agreed on a plan that seeks to guarantee order and security at the Integrated Border Posts, and also approved the technical documents for the operation of Radio Frequency devices at the borders.
The Guatemalan Ministry of Economy (Mineco) reported that the countries in the Northern Triangle approved on May 28 a security plan for the Integrated Border Posts (IFP) of the Customs Union (AU), which was signed by the ministers responsible for security in these countries.
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).
Until May 20, the validity of the regional contingency plan was extended to customs, which was activated because of the difficulties generated by the use of the Central American Single Declaration.
Since May 7, when the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA) was implemented at the regional level, the situation in customs has been complicated, because of multiple difficulties reported in the import and export processes arising from the implementation of the new system.
Because the entry into force of the Central American Single Declaration has generated delays in the import and export processes, a contingency plan will be implemented at all customs offices in the region.
By agreement of the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (COMIECO), on May 7 the Single Central American Declaration (DUCA) was implemented at the regional level, a situation that has generated many difficulties arising from the implementation of the new system in the import and export processes.