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Central America Advances Mandatory Adoption of Harmonized Advance Declaration Model
By Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
Customs authorities from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama gathered in San José, Costa Rica, to review and validate procedures for the mandatory implementation of the Harmonized Advance Declaration Model. This workshop was a key milestone in advancing regional trade facilitation under the Central American Strategy for Trade Facilitation and Competitiveness with Emphasis on Coordinated Border Management (ECFCC-2023).
The event was organized under the Pro Tempore Presidency of Costa Rica in the Central American Integration System (SICA), with technical support from the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) and funding from the European Union through the ECOTRADE project.
The advance declaration model is designed to improve compliance with non-tariff regulations, ensure proper duty payments in the importing country, reduce border delays, and prevent trucks from arriving with incomplete documentation. This harmonized approach will facilitate smoother and more secure trade flows across the region.
The adoption of the Harmonized Advance Declaration aligns with broader efforts under the ECFCC-2023 strategy, which promotes the digitization, simplification, and interoperability of customs procedures. Initiatives include the development of the Central American Digital Trade Platform (PDCC), strengthening of Single Windows for Foreign Trade, and expansion of the Central American Single Customs Declaration (DUCA).
Guy José Bendaña-Guerrero & Asociados
GUY JOSE BENDAÑA GUERRERO & ASOCIADOS has a long and prosperous tradition in the field of intellectual property (IP) in Nicaragua, with roots that go back to more than 100 years, resulting on long-term relationships with renowned clients and attorneys worldwide.
The firm has its origins in the law firm Henry Caldera & Henry Caldera-Pallais, founded in 1907 by Mr. Henry Caldera. That same year of 1907, through the efforts of Mr. Caldera, Nicaragua had its first Trademark Law. In the late 1930’s, Mr. Caldera’s oldest son, Dr. Henry Caldera-Pallais, after studying law in Nicaragua, attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated as a Registered U.S. Patent Attorney. Dr. Caldera-Pallais in 1964 was a founding member of the Interamerican Association of Intellectual Property (ASIPI), the first regional intellectual property organization in the Americas. The firm continued to grow during the administration of Dr. Franklin Caldera, son of Dr. Caldera-Pallais, who obtained his doctoral degree in law from the Universidad Centroamericana in 1973.
Since 1985 the current partners, Dr. Guy José Bendaña Guerrero and Mrs. Blanca Aragón de Bendaña, took over the management of the firm. Dr. Bendaña Guerrero, Director of the firm, has distinguished himself as one of the most respected authorities in Central America in the field of intellectual property and law in general, being the author of several books such as “Course of Industrial Property Law”, “Study of the new Laws of Industrial Property” and “New Study of Contracts “, among others. Mrs. Aragón de Bendaña has served as the firm’s general manager and, thanks to her excellent management, the firm has been in constant growth, with a highly qualified staff committed to excellence. Since 1996, partner Julián José Bendaña Aragón joined the firm, and has been standing out as one of the most recognized attorneys in the field of intellectual property.
We have adapted to the constant change of the business world, supporting our clients in finding the most appropriate legal solutions for each moment. The firm distinguishes itself by understanding the needs of its clients, offering personalized service and adding value to its activities.
Nowadays we continue to be the leading firm in Nicaragua in the area of intellectual property, and at the same time, we have been consolidating other areas of service within the civil, commercial and labor fields, as well as litigation and consulting in general. The firm is well positioned to guarantee a pragmatic service that meets the requirements of the most demanding clients.