PANAMA

On December 31, Panama’s National Customs Authority (ANA in Spanish) informed officials and users in general of the deadline for all promoters or companies operating under Law 32 of Duty Free Zones to request access to the Integrated Customs Management System (SIGA in Spanish), so that all operations are carried out electronically. In this way, the affected subjects may request such access until January 18, 2022. According to the authorities, “the SIGA portal serves as a unified window for the Panamanian business community, customs users, government agencies and others interested in accessing the services provided by the Authority”, such as import and export declarations of goods.

Also, the entity informed that, as of January 1, the modifications of the seventh amendment to the Harmonized System of the National Import Tariff of Panama, approved by the Customs Cooperation Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in 2019, came into effect.  ANA explained that with this measure they aim to incorporate new products in the face of technological advances and high trade volumes, with the objective of identifying them under a universal customs language. Among the additions are 3D printers, products for the resolution of environmental and social problems, dual-use goods, among others.

For its part, the General Directorate of Revenue informed the legal entities established in Duty Free Zones that they will have until March 31, 2022 to file the Income Tax Affidavit, in accordance with the provisions of the Tax Code. At the same time, it indicates that the fine for not complying with the established term is USD 500.