The Tocopilla Customs Office celebrated its 16.04.2020th institutional anniversary this Thursday (140/19/XNUMX) with a historical analysis of the development of the commune in northern Chile. Officials privately remembered the date through the analysis of an audiovisual document due to the health contingency caused by Covid-XNUMX.
The Administrator of the Tocopilla Customs, Octavio Veraguas, said that the Chilean customs have been present in the town since April 13, 1880 y Its first administrator was Ramón Echeñique.
"The Chilean troops landed on March 22, 1879 and due to the high flow of cargo, the authorities of the time elevated Tocopilla to Puerto Mayor and a Customs administration was installed.", the manager explained.
Administrator of the Tocopilla Customs Office, Octavio Veraguas. Photo: Chilean Customs
Tocopilla became a nerve center for the export of saltpeter and this generated the arrival of numerous capitals and the hamlet was transformed into a cosmopolitan city, added Veraguas.
"The port movement was consolidated with the inauguration of the railway From Tocopilla to Toco during the government of President José Manuel Balmaceda, the port was transformed into a terminal specialized in the shipment of nitrates and concentrated dozens of sailboats from around the world in the bay.”
All this Commercial and mining activity was subject to the supervision and statistical control of Customs, which was responsible for the correct entry and exit of goods.
"This incessant activity that began at the end of the 19th century extended to the first two decades of the 20th century and also had a social and cultural impact on the community due to the massive presence of foreign colonies..
Veraguas highlighted that during this entire period of prosperity and high activity, "theCustoms focused its efforts on tariff control of outgoing goods and on combating smuggling, specifically that related to alcohol and other items from abroad.”.
The Administrator said that the entire economic cycle described above generated different effects and dynamics, which are reflected in a certain way in the buildings that the historic center of the port still exhibits today.
“Customs has witnessed all this growth, always ensuring the proper control and inspection of people and goods. In fact, Another period of incessant movement was that associated with the World Wars due to the demand for saltpeter for gunpowder, as well as later everything related to copper.".
Finally, Veraguas expressed pride in the customs work and the impact it has on port development and the competitiveness of the national economy.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
