Honduras and Guatemala took a new step this Monday (01.03.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX) in their deep integration of the Customs Union by putting into effect, mandatory electronic transmission of the Advance Declaration of goods originating in Central America (DUCA-F), prior to the arrival of the means of transport to Corinto Integrated Border Post.
The trade facilitation measure allows for a reduction in clearance times and the cost of imports and exports, the Honduran Customs Administration's statement said.
In this regard, the National Director of Customs Operations, Marco Tulio Abadie, he pointed: "The Advance Declaration of Goods consists of the electronic transmission and presentation of documentation that supports the import and payment of taxes prior to the arrival of the means of transport at the integrated border posts, with the purpose of making the process expeditious, which will lead to a quick passage through the borders, reducing queues, reducing time and costs for the importer.".
And he added that "The measure seeks to increase the competitiveness of Honduras and Guatemala in foreign trade issues, and also to continue with the improvement of Deep Integration between both countries.".
Advantages
The benefits of implementation include:
- Reduction in time for goods to cross borders.
- Costs reduction.
- Expedited customs clearance.
- Personalized attention
- Reduction of queues for cargo transport vehicles prior to entering the Integrated Border Post.
- Prior compliance with non-tariff regulations (Permits, certifications and authorizations).
- Green selectivity results for both countries and the merchandise does not require intervention from other authorities; with this, the means of transport will go directly to the Facilitation Center II.
In this regard, the Honduran customs authority explained the steps to follow in the interoperability between state agencies and private operators that participate in the new modality of electronic transactions in foreign trade.
single windows
"All importers and exporters will be able to use the DUCA-F Advance Declaration, through the computer systems of the single windows of each country. In the case of Honduras, All exports with DUCA-F will be carried out through the Export Procedures Center (CENTREX) of the Secretariat of Economic Development; and for Guatemala, through the Single Window for Exports (VUPE)", stated the National Director of Customs Operations.
For the process filling and presentation of the DUCA-F Advance Declaration of Goods:
- The exporter must enter, in the CENTREX system for Honduras and VUPE for Guatemala, the information related to the definitive export regime and upload images of the documents that support the regime (commercial invoice and transport document).”
- CENTREX and VUPE will transmit the information to the Customs Service computer system, which will validate the information transmitted and record the Declaration.
- The Customs System of Honduras and Guatemala will send the information to the repository of the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA).
- The countries' system will receive the validation of the Advance Declaration for the expedited passage of goods.
The new trade facilitation and regional economic integration measure is in effect as of today at the Corinto Integrated Post, located between Honduras and Guatemala, in line with the fourth enabling protocol for the Deep Integration Process towards the free movement of goods and people, and the Resolutions of the Ministerial Instance-UA No. 83-2020 and No. 59-2019.
The statement announced that the measure will be extended to the other Integrated Border Posts (PFI) El Florido and Agua Caliente as of June 01, 2021.
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.
