The “Mutual Administrative Assistance and Exchange of Information on Customs Matters” agreement between Guatemala and Mexico enters into force
During the month of February, the agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance and Exchange of Information on Customs Matters entered into force between Mexico and Guatemala in 2019. The objective of this agreement is to promote the fight against customs fraud and smuggling between both countries, through the exchange of information and increased efficiency in customs practices by systematizing operations. This agreement will be negotiated with the Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria de Guatemala and the Agencia Nacional de Aduanas y México, both authorities in their capacity as Customs Administrations of each country.
Among the benefits to be obtained through this agreement are the facilitation of trade between both countries, the exchange of information and best practices, the strengthening of the capacities of the customs administrations, the carrying out of joint operations and, finally, one of the main benefits will be the fight against customs fraud and smuggling.
One of the benefits that Guatemala will obtain through the agreement will be greater transparency and stricter compliance against customs smuggling, since, according to the Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria, currently more than 90% of goods entering Guatemala from Mexico are smuggled. Therefore, the exchange of information between the two customs offices will improve knowledge and practices to prevent this type of infringement.
It is important to mention that the entry into force of this agreement will not only strengthen international trade through more efficient and standardized processes but will also strengthen the protection of Intellectual Property rights, since currently an opportunity for improvement for developing countries is the prevention of Intellectual Property infringements. Therefore, through a more rigorous control, it will be possible to combat this problem more efficiently, which allows the country to project a better administration in customs matters, providing not only a framework of legality but also improving the possibility of sanctioning these practices that reduce competitiveness in the markets.
María Fernanda Villagran
Associate
García & Bodán
Guatemala