Export managers and managers of the 20 companies in charge of 80% of export formalities at the border in Peñas Blancas met this morning with the Minister of Foreign Trade, Anabel Gonzalez, Deputy Minister Fernando Ocampo, Deputy Minister of Finance Jenny Phillips, the Director General of Customs, Desiderio Soto and the manager of the Single Window for Foreign Trade, Marvin Salas to discuss improvements in customs proceedings and reducing processing times at the border.
Authorities called upon businessmen to, instead of doing their export paperwork at the border, to do the process at other customs facilities, using the Peñas Blancas Customs office only if necessary. This would significantly accelerate border crossing through a fast lane which companies can use if they have executed the paperwork previously.
As part of efforts to streamline export procedures, the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) proposed to train company personnel in handling of the TICA IT system (Information Technology for Customs Control) and the use of technical notes. The General Customs Department has agreed to answer specific questions to exporters on the subject. Additionally, both institutions will be meeting head to head with main exporters in order to identify areas to improve and expedite service.
During the meeting businessmen presented particular problems experienced in the export process. Solutions to those problems will be explored with other agencies involved such as the Ministry of Health, Agriculture and Transportation.
Following the meeting, exporters and government representatives agreed to meet in June in order to review progress in speeding passage through Peñas Blancas.
Source: Ministerio de Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica
More on this topic
September 2010
The Central Reserve Bank will be responsible for the paperwork.
The Center for International Trade Procedures (Centrac) was created to streamline export and import procedures .
According to Deputy Minister of Economy, Mario Roger Hernandez, in an interview by Elmundo.com.sv: "This is the first step to create a single foreign trade office.
August 2011
The action plan is designed to address the state of emergency that has been declared on the border between Costa Rica and Panama.
A press release from the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Trade states:
“The five month action plan will involve increasing the number of traffic officers, implementing an electronic collection system for fumigation charges, extending opening hours until midnight, contracting a design for the primary zone, implementing a system of international transit of goods, widening the highway to four lanes, and starting the remodeling of the immigration building. ‘Technological tools exist today that allow us to complete formalities in advance. To promote use of these, and to make the Peñas Blancas border crossing a place to pass through and not to do paperwork, we will establish before the primary zone a checkpoint that will to give priority to exporters who arrive with their paperwork already processed’, said Vice Minister, Fernando Ocampo.
July 2011
Costa Rican representatives from the production sector agree that lack of infrastructure at border crossings is causing delays.
The dissatisfaction is highest among industry representatives referring to customs in Peñas Blancas, where the trucks are taking between 12 and 36 hours to cross the border.
February 2011
The National Competitiveness Program (Pronacom), proposes the creation of a single window to handle all the procedures required to import or export goods or services.
Richard Pennington, director of PRONACOM, said the single window will unify many procedures related to exports and imports, effectively streamlining trade.
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