Logistic services

Why is it important to attend customs clearance in Paraguay?

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In any international merchandise transport process, customs management, or customs clearance, must be complied with in each country where the cargo passes.

Customs clearance is a set of procedures that must be followed to ensure control and approval of the entry or exit of goods from one country to another.

If you want to do import or export activities in Paraguay, it is essential that you pay attention to everything related to customs clearance.

Customs exist since man began to organize in nations and to have commerce between them.

States charge fees for the importation of products from other parts of the world that pass to the public coffers of each country.

These resources cover operating expenses and education, health, infrastructure, services and other public plans.

In the case of Paraguay, the importance of customs collection is evidenced in a report published by the National Customs Directorate in early September 2019.

The report indicates that during 2019 the Paraguayan customs have collected ₲ 6.88 billion (about US $ 157 million), of which ₲ 947.650 million correspond to the month of August.

This figure is very important, taking into account that it was achieved in the context of a decrease in the volume of foreign trade transactions that reduced the volume of imported merchandise by 9.1% compared to the January-August 2018 period.

However, Paraguay’s customs revenues increased this year, thanks to the fact that since 2018 an increase in the rate was applied on each kilo of imported merchandise, which went from 1,299 ₲ / kg to 1,328 ₲ / kg.

What is the customs clearance?

Customs clearance begins with the delivery or declaration to the customs authorities of the information that describes the goods being transported.

This includes data such as type of products that make up the cargo, recipient and issuer of the same and other documents that guarantee the value and legitimacy of the cargo, as is the case with the purchase invoice.

A load that crosses several countries may be subject to different regulations and obligations.

Therefore, it is important to know in advance the special provisions, required licenses and restrictions that apply in countries of passage and destination of the merchandise.

Paraguay complies with international customs regulations and therefore the documentation that will be requested for your import and export cargo must meet these requirements.

In the first place, it is mandatory to present the information of the importing or exporting company, in this case, its identification and fiscal data.

The Incoterms mechanism has been adopted worldwide to facilitate the identification of the owner of a shipment to the customs authorities.

You must also inform in detail the place of origin and destination of the merchandise, its total weight and number of packages, boxes or packages that make it up.

In addition, the corresponding taxes must be canceled according to the country’s legislation, as well as information on other taxes paid during the transportation of the cargo.

These taxes or tariffs may vary from one country to another and are conditioned by the type of cargo, its invoiced price and the place of destination.

Customs officials enter the cargo information into a computer system and determine if it represents any type of risk.

For their part, customs agents represent the importing or exporting company and are responsible for presenting the required documents.

In this interaction it is determined whether or not it is necessary for the load to be inspected through one of the available channels.

These channels differentiate the load between that which can pass freely, that which requires prior verification of documents and that which requires a physical inspection.

The so-called green channel is to pass merchandise in which no problem is detected and can automatically pass through customs.

The orange channel is used with merchandise that requires verification of the documents delivered by the carrier, before it can approve its passage.

For its part, the red channel is used when a physical inspection of the load and its contrast with the documents presented are necessary.

What documentation should I submit to the customs authorities?

When performing customs clearance procedures you will need to present the commercial invoice of the cargo.

In this invoice both the seller and the buyer of the merchandise must be clearly identified, as well as the type of cargo and the conditions of payment and delivery thereof.

Second, you must present the cargo list, which collects detailed information about the merchandise you are importing or exporting.

Thirdly, you must present the data of the company in charge of mobilizing your cargo, which will allow the authorities to keep a better control of the international transport operation.

If your operation includes shipping, you must also present the boarding pass and other documents required at the ports.

As Paraguay is a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), international transport activities to and from member countries must have the Mercosur Single Customs Document (DUAM).

This document collects all the information necessary to comply with customs clearance in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Customs security of Paraguay

The risks of an import and export activity go beyond the expenses and permits to be processed.

There is also the danger of incurring violations of the security of other countries by mobilizing products prohibited by them.

A frequent case is that an attempt is made to send a cargo to a country or customer that is on the prohibited list of national or international authorities.

This list, known as “denied parties” includes entities, groups or governments considered terrorists, criminal organizations or countries with which there is a prohibition to trade certain products for various reasons.

Paraguay executes a strict inspection of goods entering and leaving through its customs, using advanced technology for administrative control and physical surveillance.

In the country, the Integrated Cargo Verification System (SIVECA), the International Customs Transit Information System (SINTIA) and the Electronic Transmission of the River Manifesto (TEMAFLU) were implemented.

These technological tools provide advance and quality information to the customs authority about imported goods, before they arrive in Paraguay.

In this way, proper risk management is executed.

In addition, the Single Customs Monitoring Center (CUMA) was installed, which allows operations on customs posts and cargo verification sites to be monitored with video cameras.

Leave your cargo in the hands of customs experts

Proper customs handling of your cargo is key to the success of your import and export activity in Paraguay.

Therefore, it is recommended that you rely on companies specialized in logistics, such as Alfa Trading S.A, to attend everything related to the customs procedures of your merchandise.

Alfa Trading S.A, was founded in 1994 and is today a reference in international logistics services in Paraguay.

We have Freight Agents in the main ports and airports of the world, ready to help you track your product and all the required customs procedures.

More importantly, we previously advise you in your operations plan, covering what is related to permits, tariffs, transport logistics, billing and documentation.

With Alfa Trading, you can be sure that your import and export operation will be carried out smoothly and at the lowest cost.

NUESTROS AGENTES DE CARGAS SE ENCARGARÁN DE BRINDARTE EL MEJOR SERVICIO

NUESTROS AGENTES DE CARGAS SE ENCARGARÁN DE BRINDARTE EL MEJOR SERVICIO