By: Ana Carolina Barquero
On March 30 and 31, 2023, Law 1147 Creation of the Foreign Trade Single Window Act Law (VUCEN) law of Nicaragua Republic was published in La Gaceta number 59 and 60, respectively, and Presidential Decree No. 02-2023 Regulations Creation of Foreign Trade Single Window Act Law (VUCEN) law and Presidential Decree No. 02-2023 Regulations of Law 1147 Creating the Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEN) Nicaragua which have the purpose of creating the Foreign Trade Single Window as a tool to facilitate and simplify the management of Foreign Trade procedures, concentrated through a technological platform, The Single Window is created under the MIFIC direction and will be the legal successor of the Export Processing Center (CETREX) without continuity solution.
The technological platform through which such permits will be processed and issued, will be integrated by the following public entities:
- Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA).
- Institute of Agricultural Protection and Health (IPSA).
- National Forestry Institute (INAFOR)
- Nicaraguan Institute of Fishing and Aquaculture (INPESCA)
- Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services (TELCOR)
- General Directorate of Customs Services (DGA)
- National Port Company (EPN); h) National Health Regulation Authority (ANRS) of the MINSA
- National Commission for the Registration and Control of Toxic Substances (CNRCST); (h) National Commission for the Transformation and Development of the National Port Authority (EPN)
- National Commission for the Transformation and Development of Coffee Growing (CONATRADEC); h) National Coffee Quality Certification Agency of MINSA (National Coffee Quality Certification Agency)
- National Coffee Quality Certification Agency (ONCC) of the National Coffee Council (CONACAFE)
VUCEN, will have among its main functions to manage and maintain the availability, interoperability and improvement of the technological platform, process and transmit in a centralized, agile and timely manner all those documents necessary for the exercise of foreign trade operations; manage with the Minister of MIFIC the necessary resources for institutional strengthening to ensure the continuous improvement of the platform; contribute to the activities of development, promotion and facilitation of exports, and meet requests for information and advice related to customs procedures for import, export and port services.
The new Law 1147, abrogates the No 30-94 of Creation of the foreign trade Window for Exports Executive Decree, published in La Gaceta No 125 of July 5, 1994; Subparagraph k) and h) of Articles 32 and 33 of Law No 382 of Temporary Admission for inward processing and facilitation of exports published in La Gaceta 72 of April 21, 2022 and Articles 44, clause e) of Article 47 and Article 48 of Decree 80-2001 Regulation to Law No 382 of Temporary Admission for inward processing and facilitation of exports published in La Gaceta 72 of April 21, 2022 and will enter into force as of its publication in La Gaceta.
For further information on this and other legal issues, please contact LatinAlliance Nicaragua, Attorneys and Notaries, at the following email address: abarquero@latinalliance.co