This is a previous stage to define how the Monitoring of Transport Units in Transit by means of electronic tags (GPS) will work, a step to make the customs service more efficient, save time for businessmen and work with greater transparency thanks to innovation.

"The GPS Electronic Seal will track and monitor the means of transport in customs transit during the journey along the previously established fiscal route, throughout the national territory", said the DGA.

These seals have a customs office of origin, where the device is placed, and a customs office called "destination". The route between the two points is the fiscal route. Thus, the DGA carried out the pilot test on the fiscal routes starting at La Hachadura, El Amatillo, Anguiatú, Acajutla and American Park (free trade zone). At the arrival point, the driver stops and authorized customs officers proceed to remove the tag.

The benefits of having these mechanisms are the simplification of customs clearance, guaranteed mobility and delivery of goods, compliance with fiscal routes and deadlines established for the customs transit regime, real-time tracking of the route taken by the transport unit, integration of security initiatives in the logistics chain.

The incorporation of more technology in the DGA also contributes to the fight against crimes such as smuggling, evasion and other practices that affect the economy. This closes the loopholes that were previously used by mafia groups to try to evade the tax authorities.

Foreign trade is one of El Salvador's most dynamic engines and the Central American region is its main partner (as a bloc). In april 2023, the DGA registered revenues of US$165.13 million for this activity.

Translated by: A.M