Uruguay's Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCE) closed 2024 with significant results in operational efficiency, digitalization of procedures and sustainability, according to Uruguay XXI.
Created by the Accountability Law No. 19.149 of November 11, 2013, VUCE depends on the Institute for the Promotion of Investments and Exports of Goods and Services and Country Image. Its objective is to simplify the processes of import, export and transit of goods, and over the years it has consolidated itself as a fundamental pillar of Uruguayan foreign trade.
More digitalized processes and savings for the sector
One of the most relevant milestones of the year was the expansion of the processes integrated into the platform, which reached a total of 239, with 305 procedures completely digitalized. Thanks to this optimization, more than 653.000 foreign trade operations were managed, which allowed costs and times to be reduced for all the actors involved.
Since its creation until 2024, VUCE generated cumulative savings of more than $114 million for the private sector and more than 43 million dollars for the public sector. Over the past year, each digitalized procedure represented an average saving of $24,6 for companies, customs agents and individuals, and $9,4 for state entities.
Positive environmental impact
The digitalization driven by VUCE also had a significant environmental impact. During its trajectory, the platform avoided the use of more than 91 million sheets of paper, allowing the preservation of more than 10.000 million trees. In addition, savings of more than 27 million euros were achieved. liters of water and five million kilowatt hours of electrical energy, which contributed to the reduction of more than 1,5 million kilograms of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Greater interoperability with the outside world
In 2024, VUCE strengthened interoperability with other countries, consolidating the digitalization of the Digital Certificates of Origin (COD). This enabled the exchange of documents with Colombia and intensified integration with Chile, Mexico and other countries in the region, streamlining international trade and ensuring the validity of digital certificates in key markets.
Progress was also made in the digitalization of the zoosanitary certificates with countries of the Pacific Alliance, such as Chile and Colombia, in addition to Argentina, Israel and Paraguay. By 2025, the incorporation of new nations is planned, including Brazil, Peru and the United States, expanding the interoperability of these documents.
Training
As part of its growth strategy, VUCE trained hundreds of users from the public and private sectors, strengthening knowledge about the platform and its operation. In addition, it promoted the development of the Single Investment Window (VUI) to facilitate the establishment of investments in Uruguay. In 2024, the VUI included 82 procedures on its information portal and registered 4.000 visits to its website.
With these advances, VUCE reaffirms its commitment to the modernization of Uruguayan foreign trade, consolidating itself as a key tool for the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of the country.
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.
