Bulletin #154
On July 24, the provisions for Guatemala’s new customs declaration and two agreements from the Ministry of Environment were published in the National Migratory Policy The first agreement is the new Guide for the industrial chemical sector and the second is the Guide for the wood processing sector. These regulations are already mandatory in the country. Here is the information you need to know about each one.
Electronic Traveler Declaration (DJRV)
The Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT), through resolution SAT-DSI-1049-2023, issued the administrative provisions for travelers entering or leaving Guatemala to submit their Electronic Regional Traveler's Declaration (DJRV) (R477-2023 COMIECO-CIV), digitally. This will automate the registration and electronic transmission of data.
This immigration form, which previously could only be submitted with a print form, will allow the traveler to fill out the declaration from any electronic device with internet access at any time. In addition, it will reduce the filling time from ten to four minutes.
To fill out the declaration, the following should be taken into account:
- Have the document number and passport book number at hand.
- Have your flight number.
- Quantify the value of the goods you are traveling with other than baggage.
- If you are traveling as a family, the person in charge of the group must fill out the declaration with the information of your companions.
The DJRV can be accessed through:
- Link from the SAT Portal
- Airlines and travel agencies websites.
- Scanning the QR code available at the airlines and airports.
What should I declare?
- Cash or monetary values, securities, objects, precious metals, or a combination of these, for a value equal to or greater than USD $10,000.
- Goods other than baggage.
- Unaccompanied baggage.
- Live animals, plants, food products or derivatives of any of these.
- Chemical products, pharmaceuticals, toxic substances or waste, weapons, ammunitions, or explosives.
The DJRV will enter into force in four phases:
- La Aurora International Airport: already in use.
- Mundo Maya Airport: September 2023
- Maritime Customs: November 2023
- Land Customs: December 2023
Sources:
Ministerial Decrees 163-2023 and 165-2023
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) approved the following agreements: a) Ministerial Agreement 163-2023, which approves the Environmental Guide for the Industrial Chemical Sector and b) Ministerial Agreement 165-2023, which approves the Environmental Guide for the Wood Processing Sector in Guatemala.
The guides were created because the Regulation for Environmental Evaluation, Control and Monitoring, Governmental Agreement 137-2016, establishes that the environmental guides are tools that aim to incorporate good practices for the development of projects, industries or activities in the different productive sectors of the country. These guides are used as a basis for the development of environmental instruments and to perform environmental audits[1].
The project proponent may, by choice, follow the environmental guide that has been issued or request the corresponding terms of reference from MARN for the preparation of the respective environmental instrument[2].
The environmental guidelines will be reviewed every 5 years or earlier at the request of the corresponding sector. They should be published on MARN's website (pending) or they can be requested directly at the Ministry.
[1] Art. 16 del Reglamento de Evaluación, Control y Seguimiento Ambiental, Acuerdo Gubernativo 137-2016
[2] Idem.