The Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) announced on Tuesday (22.08.2023) a new milestone: the launch of the Advance Declaration of goods at the shared border posts between Guatemala and El Salvador, within the framework of the deep integration process and in compliance with the Central American Strategy for Trade Facilitation and Competitiveness with an Emphasis on Coordinated Border Management, as well as the execution of the Regional Time Study Action Plan.
The first phase has started, in 2022, in the Integrated Border Post of La Hachadura – Pedro de Alvarado(Guatemala-El Salvador) and applies to goods originating in Central America, covered by the customs document DUCA-F.
In this way, the advance declaration became effective in the remaining land border posts shared by Guatemala and El Salvador: Las Chinamas – Valle Nuevo; Anguiatú – La Ermita; and San Cristóbal – San Cristóbal, which are added to La Hachadura – Pedro de Alvarado.
In this regard, SIECA stated that the tool will speed up the exchange of goods by "reducing times and costs in the export and import of goods." And it detailed new benefits For exporters and importers between Guatemala and El Salvador:
- execution of procedures electronically;
- Greater agility in sending and authorizing documents and paying taxes;
- Reduction of response times of Foreign Trade Single Windows and customs authorities;
- cost reduction and improvements in export logistics;
- and management of the advance declaration on a 24/7 schedule, 365 days a year and from anywhere in the world.
Undoubtedly, trade facilitation is the basis of the regional economic integration process in Central America. In this regard, SIECA stressed: "The Customs Services of both countries reaffirm their commitment to continue modernizing customs processes and streamlining paperwork for users, with the aim of strengthening trade facilitation in the region."
Participation in the launch was attended by the Secretary General of SIECA, Francisco A. Lima Mena, for El Salvador, the Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem Brevé, the Director General of Customs, Benjamín Mayorga, the Vice Minister of Integration and Foreign Trade of Guatemala, María Luisa Flores, the Superintendent of Customs, Werner Ovalle Ramírez and representatives of the business sector.
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