Shipping to Central America What You Need to Know
Shipping to Central America is a smart choice if you are looking for a new market for your business. Of course, individuals may also need to ship items to Central America if they are planning to relocate there or if they have friends or family there that they wish to send items to. Fortunately, whether you are an individual or a business, shipping to Central America can be easy. Shipping to Central America can be done on a relatively cost effective basis in many cases, as long as you choose the right shipping company that has a regularly established shipping route. The ability to ship goods and products to Central America on a budget-friendly basis is due in part to the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The Central American Free Trade Agreement is an agreement that allows for reduced duties among certain countries that are parties to the agreement.
The countries that are considered part of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) include the United States, Columbia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras. The reduction in duties for businesses and shippers in these member countries can have a significant impact on the overall cost of doing business in Central America and make the area an attractive location for businesses looking to expand their sales outside of the U.S. If you have decided that shipping to Central America is the right choice for your company, especially in light of reduced duties made possible by CAFTA, you will need to ensure you comply with all requirements. This includes producing the proper paperwork for the shipment. For example, you will need to include a CAFTA document proving that you are entitled to the reduced duties. You will also need to include, among other paperwork and documentation, a certificate of original indicating where the goods came from. In many cases, you'll also have to include invoices for commercial shipments. Provided that you have the proper paperwork, the key to a successful shipment of goods or products to Central America is to find a shipping company that has experience sending items to this part of the world.
It is even better if you can find a shipping company that not only regularly sends items to Central America but also one that actually has locations within Central America. If a shipper has locations in the area, they are more likely to be completely familiar with the requirements for imports and are more likely to have an established relationship with customs brokers that will make sending shipments easier. In addition, because of their on-site local presence, the shipping company will be well equipped to handle any potential issues that could arise once your shipment has left the U.S. Your shipping company can assist you with all aspects of sending your shipment, including getting the paperwork you need and packing your item so that it will arrive safely. To learn more, contact a shipping professional that specializes in sending items to Central America.