UPS, El Salvador government sign co-op agreement

UPS, El Salvador government sign co-op agreement    The government of El Salvador has signed a cooperation agreement with UPS aimed at simplifying the Central America country’s customs procedures.
   Last October, PROESA, the El Salvador government’s department dedicated to promoting investment in the country, visited UPS’s offices in Miami, proposing to establish a customs clearance system in El Salvador based on UPS’s global operations.
   Under the new system, courier companies will now be able to withdraw their merchandise from Customs at the El Salvador International Airport within 48 hours of the goods arriving. The agreement also considers that shipments whose value Free On Board (FOB) are lower than $200 can be removed from Customs with the presentation of the corresponding air bill and invoice; however, a spot check of the merchandise can be requested for verification purposes. If the value FOB is more than $200 but less than $3,000, the removal of the goods will be authorized with the presentation of the Merchandise Declaration. This document can be created by the operator of express delivery or courier.
   The prices that are charged for customs procedures will be representative. The authorization timetable is valid for one year and renewable with prior authorization from the Customs Department.
   “The signing of this agreement is of great importance for El Salvador. It’s a valuable element that will contribute to expedite customs procedures and will generate new sources of investment in the country,” said Ana Vilma de Escobar, president of PROESA.
   “At UPS, we are very proud to be part of this agreement that will streamline and facilitate commerce to improve El Salvador’s competitiveness,” said Stephen Flowers, president of UPS Americas. “We are committed to our presence in the country and we hope to maintain a close cooperation with the business community and the government institutions that have made this agreement possible.”