The World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) requires WTO member countries to minimize the impact and complexity of import, export, and transit formalities, as well as reduce and simplify documentation requirements for import, export, and transit.
The recent reform of the General Customs Law, approved by Costa Rica, provides a positive signal toward achieving this goal by eliminating two unnecessary customs requirements that only caused additional delays and unnecessary costs for importers.
The first corresponds to the sworn statement that the importer's legal representative must complete on the back of the commercial invoice, certifying that the invoice was original and that the price noted therein was real and accurate. Second, the requirement to attach a copy or photocopy of the customs declaration or the exit document for the exported goods, issued by the exporter or shipper, which must include the actual value of the goods, the name of the importer, the gross and net weight, among other information, was eliminated.
The elimination of both import formalities represents a step in the right direction toward trade facilitation.
If you have any questions or require advice on this or other topics, please contact us. costarica@catradeconsulting.com
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