Customs integration between Guatemala and El Salvador will be finalized on June 18; these are the benefits for both countries.

This week, the governments of Guatemala and El Salvador will integrate the customs offices of La Ermita, in Concepción Las Minas, Chiquimula, and Anguiatú, in Santa Ana, taking a step toward trade facilitation.Starting on June 18, customs will be integrated as a result of the Deep Integration Process, the first step of which was taken in 2017 when the customs of Honduras and Guatemala joined forces, three years after the process began in 2014.

Since May 6, integrated customs and immigration operations have been underway as a pilot program. Meanwhile, full integration will take place this Wednesday, confirmed the head of the Superintendency of Tax Administration (SAT), Werner Ovalle.The official highlighted that part of the SAT’s efforts include foreign trade, which is why it has been working together with the Ministry of Economy, the Central American Economic Integration System (SIECA), and the authorities of El Salvador to join the customs union process.

The process with El Salvador begins with the Ermita-Anguiatú union. Ovalle explained that on June 18, a document will be signed for the Pedro de Alvarado customs office to join the integration. “This is a customs office of great interest to Guatemala, as we have a very broad relationship with El Salvador,” said the head of the SAT.

Among the main benefits are the following:

· Gradual implementation of processes toward the Anguiatú-La Ermita Integrated Border Post.

· Less traffic congestion in freight transport.

· 24/7 service hours at both customs offices.

· Simplified processes and better coordination.

· Single immigration control for drivers in the country of departure.

· Reduction in clearance times and logistics costs.

· Greater competitiveness for companies using these routes.

From the point of view of the export sector, this integration is seen as positive. In this regard, Amador Carballido, general director of the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport), said that this is “very positive” news for the country.The fact that we now have the agreement that we have had with Honduras for several years, trade between the two countries has increased, transit times have decreased, so the fruits and the decision that El Salvador has finally taken are something we welcome and hopefully the rest of Central America will achieve this in time,” said Carballido.

According to the businessman, finalizing the customs union is like reaching a broader stage that allows for the improvement of these processes. “We are quite aware that some of the transfer procedures, especially at the Pedro de Alvarado border, generate tremendous queues,” he recalled.Carballido said that the customs union “allows at least a significant volume of that traffic to reduce transit times and will certainly increase trade between our countries, so these are measures that we welcome and hope that the rest of Central America will be able to join very soon.”