During the first seven months of the year, 26,188 vehicles were imported to El Salvador, of which 18% were new units and 82% were used. Second-hand cars are still in demand in this new business scenario.
According to representatives of the Association of Vehicle and Automotive Parts Importers (Asiversa), the demand for used vehicles has been maintained in this context of economic crisis, but sales have fallen due to the drop in prices.
Since the new computer system was implemented in El Salvador, it is estimated that waiting times for imported goods moving in the Port of Acajutla have been reduced by up to 60%.
The General Directorate of Customs (DGA) reported that since November 15 last year is in operation the computer system "Sidunea World", which aims to reduce the steps in the process of importing goods.
On November 12th, the VII Round of Negotiations for the inclusion of El Salvador in the integration process towards the free transit of individuals and goods between Guatemala and Honduras began in San Salvador.
The negotiations between the three countries will last the entire week and it is expected that this round of dialogues will address issues related to the customs, migration, sanitary and phytosanitary challenges facing El Salvador.
The Customs authorities have started to implement a pilot plan to test the new computer system in the port of Acajutla.
In response to repeated complaints about the slowness with which the current system works, the aim of the test is to ensure that the new system works properly, especially in terms of streamlining processes such as receipt of documents, reviews and dispatch of goods.
With the new intermediate custom post built in Sonsonate, El Salvador, the idea is to relieve traffic of heavy transport moving through the border of La Hachadura.
Construction of the new intermediate customs facility has already started at Metalío, and it is expected to be ready to start operations within three months.
Between 2014 and 2016 the import of used cars grew by 65%, while new car imports rose by 9% in the same period.
The difference in prices is the main factor behind the exponential growth recorded in imports of used cars in El Salvador. Data from the General Directorate of Customs shows that in 2014 24,735 used vehicles came into the country, while in 2016 the figure rose to 41,000.
The vehicle fleet grew from 713,000 vehicles in 2010 to 925,000 in 2015, of which 70% were used vehicles.
In the Salvadoran vehicle fleet used vehicles predominate.Of every ten vehicles that came into the country in 2015, seven were used, the vast majority coming from the United States.
Customs has acknowledged the error in the recovery of $18 on cargo moving between zones and DPA's, under the Law of International Services, and others that should have been exempt from the charge.
The extension of the charge of an $18 fee at Salvadoran Customs offices to pay for X-ray equipment, on cargo that clearly should not incur the charge, caused discomfort and protests in the affected business sectors.
In September, the IMAE grew by 4.1% compared to the same month in 2014, driven by agriculture, which grew by 13%, and transport and communications, which increased by 10%.
The report of the Central Bank of Nicaragua:
In September, the monthly index of economic activity (IMAE) grew by 4.1 percent compared to September last year. Meanwhile, the average annual variation stood at 3.8 percent and cumulative growth in the January-September period was 3.5 percent.
In El Salvador a proposal has been made to create "pre-check" posts where goods are verified and permissions granted, so that when they arrive at customs most of the process has already been done.
The idea of the General Customs Directorate (DGA) comes after a host of criticisms from the export sector, which for years has complained about the slow pace in completing formalities at customs posts.
As of November a rate of $18 per non-intrusive inspection will apply to each package passing through customs, even though the scan is performed once per container.
An article on Elsalvador.com reports that "... The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador (Camarasal) yesterday voiced its opposition to the new form of payment that the Treasury intends to implement, starting in November, on cargo coming through customs and which is reviewed using scanners. "
Carriers claim that the new rules on the $18 fee for revision using scanners is not clear when it comes to charging the fee on consolidated cargo.
This new conflict has arisen from the fact that the rules of the law do not specify whether in the case of consolidated cargo the $18 must be paid per package or if the fee should be divided among all packages, as they claim has been done up until now.
In the view of industrialists, bureaucracy, excessive tax burden, high electricity rates and insecurity explain the limited performance of the industrial sector during 2014.
From a statement issued by the Salvadoran Association of Industrialists (ASI):
The Salvadoran Association of Industries (ASI) has revealed the results of the industry's performance during 2014, detailing the different productive sectors.
The rise in price in a market with short supply is the reason for the suspension of three months of the granting of export health certificates for the 'seda" variety of red bean.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Economy (MINEC):
Joint Action Plan to counter rising prices in beans.
In the framework of its powers and the joint action of the National Consumer Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the Ministry of Economy (MINEC) and the Consumer Advocate, have activated a joint action plan which will be effective from Thursday May 15, containing dissuasive and contingent measures against the rising price of beans which has been seen in some markets in the country.
The Tax Authority of Guatemala has denied the existence of a consensus among Central American countries to implement a unified charge.
The Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) of Guatemala denied that there is a consensus among countries to implement a one-time charge for reviewing scanned merchandise flowing through the region, as announced by the Directorate General of Customs of El Salvador.
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