Guatemala City, by Brenda Larios -AGN- As part of the digital customs transformation, Guatemalan authorities signed an interinstitutional agreement to develop a one-stop maritime window -Vumar- to reduce maritime logistics delays and costs in the country.
Authorities of the Superintendency of Tax Administration -SAT-, the Ministries of National Defense, Public Health and Social Assistance -MSPAS-, Agriculture, Livestock, and Food -MAGA-, and the Guatemalan Migration Institute -IGM- signed the agreement.
The Benefits
During an official ceremony, the authorities informed that this agreement has the support and technical assistance of the global alliance and also seeks to provide certainty and support to the efforts towards its implementation.
The research for this one-stop window started between 2018 and 2019, and following several analyzes, new technology came forward for this one-stop maritime window.
The process used to include the cargo manifest and a report before docking the vessel, which took approximately eight hours, and the entire procedure was by hand.
According to the SAT intendant, this procedure will now take less than an hour. The Minister of Defense emphasized that security controls will be strengthened using technology, also aiming at reducing the use of paper.
About the Vumar
Vumar will allow the electronic reception of documentation and risk analysis of vessels from arrival, stay, and departure from the National Port System through an automated platform that will strengthen controls and security with risk analysis and reduce time and logistical costs.
Additionally, it fulfills the commitments acquired as a country under the Convention to Facilitate International Maritime Traffic -FAL-65- of the International Maritime Organization, aimed at increasing the country’s competitiveness.
Interagency Cooperation
From the moment before entry, departure, and stay, there will be a role for the mentioned authorities in this one-stop window to make the merchandise viable.
SAT will be responsible for customs matters, the Ministry of National Defense will be responsible for port security, the MAGA for agricultural and animal health, and the Ministry of Health for human health inspection.
It will be available to the following:
- Importers
- Shipping companies
- Operators of the logistic chain
- Customs agents
This new one-stop window aims for implementation in the next trimester of the year.
