With the technical support of the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), the governments of El Salvador and Guatemala adopted this Wednesday (24.08.2022) modern mechanisms for customs control and trade facilitation. The authorities presented the Advance Declaration of Goods at the La Hachadura – Pedro de Alvarado integrated border crossing, which involves the electronic transmission of the form applied to goods originating in Central America covered by DUCA-F, before the arrival of the vehicle at the aforementioned crossing.
This measure is mandatory from today., in accordance with the Customs Union Ministerial Resolution 104-2022, contained in the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Central American Strategy for Trade Facilitation and Competitiveness.
Benefits
This step will allow foreign trade operators to obtain benefits linked to the control, simplification and streamlining of the transit of goods. In detail:
- operate 24/7,
- decongestion of cargo transport at both borders,
- reduction in the time taken for goods to pass through the Integrated Border Post,
- reduction of logistics operating costs,
- distribution of goods more quickly to benefit the population,
- exchange of information between both peripheral customs offices.
According to official data, the La Hachadura border crossing is characterized by the largest number of exports from El Salvador to Guatemala, since so far this year, nearly 45% of sales have been made through that border.
In view of this, a total of 1,861 people have been trained virtually, including importers, exporters, customs public service assistants and chambers of commerce from Guatemala and El Salvador.
Thus, Both countries are pioneers in Central America with the implementation of the Advance Declaration, which will soon be replicated at the border posts of San Cristóbal, Las Chinamas and Anguiatú.
This joint initiative between both Customs Administrations is supported by the implementation of the Foreign Trade Single Windows (CIEX and VUPE) and the Ministries of Economy of both countries, within the framework of the deep integration of the Customs Union.
With this concrete action, Central American countries continue to promote the development and growth of the economy with technological and facilitation tools that help improve customs services for users.
Participants
The launch of the Advance Declaration of Goods was attended by: El Salvador: Minister of Economy Maria Luisa Hayem and Director General of Customs Samadhy Martinez; representing Guatemala: Vice Minister of Economy María Luisa Flores and Customs Superintendent Werner Ovalle Ramírez, in addition to the Secretary General of the SIECA Francisco Lima-Mena and representatives of the private sector of both countries.
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.
