In Guatemala, the public and private sectors signed an agreement to implement the National Plan for the Reduction of Time in Definitive Imports, which contains specific measures to reduce costs in customs.
The action plan is the tool that defines recommendations to advance in the facilitation and modernization of customs that will result in improving the country's competitiveness and business climate, reported AGEXPORT.
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.
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:
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.
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.
The Cabinet Council has approved a loan contract for investments in infrastructure and fiscal control equipment at the country's border posts.
According to a decree published on June 5 in the Official Gazette, "... the signing of the Loan Agreement ... between the Republic of Panama and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)has been authorized, up to the sum of seventy-five million dollars (US $75,000,000.00)."
One of the benefits of the legal reform approved by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador is the maximum tolerance margin of 5% on parameters of quantity, volume, weight or value of the goods, applying the most favorable to the declarant.
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.
The Legislature has approved a law reform that reduces to $300 fines for driving outside of established routes or non-compliance with the deadlines set for the customs transit regime.
From a statement issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
Changes implemented at customs posts have led to a reduction in the average time it takes to release containers, and tax collections in the first half of the year have increased by almost 30%.
Adjustments made to the processes by the Presidential Commission for Comprehensive Reform of the Customs and Trade Operators System (Coprisao) have reduced the time it takes for a container to be releasedto less than two days, well below the 12 to 20 days that the process took before the changes.
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."
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