Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
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 Central American Customs Code (CAUCA) and Regulations of Central American Customs
Code ( RECAUCA);
 Central American Regulations on the Rule of Origin of Goods;
 Dispute Resolution Mechanism in Central America.
In addition, the International Customs Transit62 – (TIM), administered by SIECA, was
established with two already cited regulations: Regulation on Customs Transit and Regulation
on International and Regional Transit of Agricultural Goods.
For the agricultural goods, food and beverages, a regional System of Integrated Sanitary
Registers - Sistema de integración Regional para Registros Sanitarios (SIRRS)63 administered by
SIECA, was created for the recognition of sanitary registers of food and beverages, with the goal
to simplify, harmonize and automate procedures for sanitary registration in Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
In the latest development, SIECA has created a standardized document: Central American
Unique Declaration - Declaración Única Centroamericana ( DUCA) in three sub-modules:
 DUCA-F – for goods of Central American origin;
 DUCA-D for goods imported or exported to third countries outside the region;
 DUCA-T for goods in international land transit64.
The DUCA implementation has been extended repeatedly, with the latest deadline of 1 July 2019.
SIECA has also launched a request for Expression of Interest (EOI) by 15 July 2019, in order to
select a Consortium for the development of the Electronic Single Window.
2.2.2.6 Functionalities of the TIM system
Before the implementation of TIM, the lack of information in the transit procedures and errors
in documents triggered documentary and physical controls of consignments and means of
transport. Insufficient use of automated procedures and information technology was one of the
main causes of delays, costs, and inefficiencies since printed documents normally have to be
presented when the border is crossed, at which time that the information provided is verified.
The TIM system not only simplifies the procedures for operators in the transport but also
provides the control authorities (Customs and OGAs) with the necessary information in a timely
and accurate manner to carry out the controls efficiently and expedite the transits that comply
with the formalities, with the consequent reduction of the border crossing times. In addition, the
62 Transito Aduanero Internacional de Mercancia in Spanish
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