Due to the tropical storms Eta and Iota, severe damage has been reported to the road network in Central American countries, and some border posts in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have been suspended.
Since November 17, operations were suspended at the El Corinto, El Florido and Aguas Calientes border posts. These areas, shared by Guatemala and Honduras, are not operational, according to the Guatemalan Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT).
After the contract was signed for the designs of the Penas Blancas and Tablillas border control posts, it is expected that in July 2021 the international bidding process for the construction of these enclosures can be initiated.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex) informed that on October 28, Duayner Salas, head of the institution, signed with the Consorcio Norte Sur Arquitectos, of Costa Rica, and the company C y C Asesorias Profesionales Limitada, of Santiago de Chile the contract for the design of the border control posts, whose works, as a whole, imply an intervention of an area of approximately 700,000 square meters.
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.
Costa Rica recurred to the Central American Trade Dispute Resolution mechanism, for the collection of $50 by Nicaraguan customs authorities to Costa Rican cargo carriers entering the country.
The disagreement began after the Nicaraguan authorities on March 15 of this year began to collect a customs tax on the cargo transport in transit or with final destination in the country, which consists of the payment of $50 for each transport unit of goods that passes through land customs.
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.
A court ruling has overturned the SAT resolutions authorizing Empresa Portuaria Quetzal y Terminal de Contenedores Quetzal to operate as temporary customs warehouses.
Although the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT) has announced that it will be appealing the ruling given by the Second Administrative Appeals Chamber, the reality is that since June 28, the activities of the customs warehouses in Empresa Portuaria Quetzal (EPQ) have been suspended as well as those at the Terminal de Contenedores Quetzal (TCQ)."...The resolution orders that the SAT no longer has the customs service under its administration, which contravenes the Central American Customs Code CAUCA, therefore the Superintendency will file an appeal against the decision made by the Court."
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.
From a statement issued by the Presidency of Panama:
A program to certify private sector companies dedicated to foreign trade and which is regulated by customs rules was launched on Wednesday by the Government of the Republic of Panama, through the National Customs Authority (ANA).
Businessmen are complaining about erroneous charges being levied by Customs on exempted companies, courier shipments or cargo that does not even reach the borders.
The incorrect application of the new rules on the charge of $18 which applies in Salvadoran customs offices for the use of X-rays starting from 1 January 2016, is causing problems and provoked a reaction by seven private sector unions that form the Intergremial Commission for Trade Facilitation (Cifacil).
Despite innumerable meetings of leaders and officials who frequently express their willingness to act on the issue, customs transit continues to be the main factor affecting logistics costs for regional trade.
At the first congress of freight transport in El Salvador once again the problem that continues to prevent the region achieving greater commercial development, was brought to the light.
The crisis in the tax administration department has created delays of up to 15 days in release of containers and serious lack of coordination in the management of processes at land borders and ports.
The business sector states that the lack of coordination is so bad that there are lines up to 4 km long at land border posts, where the main problems are "...
The Ministry of Finance has announced improvements made to online consultations on the value of the declared goods which aims to reduce underreporting by 20%.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance of Costa Rica:
In order to establish better controls for imported goods, the Customs Service, at Ministry of Finance has intensified and integrated software tools which will allow for a more efficient and effective application of the control instruments on the declarations on the entry and exit of goods.
Despite the antiquity of the efforts for Central American integration and for the Customs Union the obstacles to trade between the countries on the isthmus presented by customs offices are notorious.
The Federation of Chambers and Associations of Exporters of Central America (Fecaxca) is once again calling for policies and common strategies for standards and customs procedures.
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