Honduras
Honduras Customs Contact Information
Website: http://www.dei.gob.hn
Address: Direccion General de Aduanas/ Avenue Juan Lindo No. 524 Colonia Palmira Tegucigalpa
Phone: 38-2538, ext. 117
Fax: 38-2621
Honduras is a country situated in Central America, bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Honduras. Honduras is a member of the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Central American Parliament, the Central American Integration System and the Central American Security Commission.
Importing Guidelines – Entry Procedures
Honduras Customs Service conducts 90% of all trade through Puerto Cortes, La Mesa (in San Pedro Sula) and Toncontin (in Tegucigalpa). All paperwork is done by a customs broker with the proper legal operation license. Import permits are required for all imports in excess of L.1,000 and are issued by the External Financing Department of the Central Bank (DERFE).
The following documentation is necessary:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
- Import/Export Documentation (by customs broker)
- C.A. Export Declaration
- Value Declaration
- Health and Sanitary Certificates (when required)
Tariff Ranges and Charges
Tariff classification is based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System generally referred to as the Harmonized System.
As a member of the System of Central American Integration Honduras has a common external tariff schedule in which customs duties range from a maximum of 20% ad valorem with a minimum tariff of 5%, with certain exceptions including apparel.There are additional taxes in addition to the ad valorem or CIF duties, including: (a) 5% on raw materials and 10% on manufactured products; (b) 20% surcharge on all imported goods, with the exceptions of medicines, serums, powdered mild, vaccines, basic grains, seeds, fertilizer, fungicides and cattle; and (c) 5% on all imports to cover administrative customs services.Other charges include a 7% sales tax, a 3% administration charge, and a 30% tax on selected luxury items.
Free Trade Zones and Warehouses
The principal free trade zone in Honduras is located in Puerto Cortes and is operated by the Government of Honduras through the National Port Authority. Privatelyowned free trade zones are legal extensions of the free trade zones. In addition, individual companies may obtain the benefits of free trade zone status if they are located in specially designated areas.
Labeling, Marking, and Packaging Requirements
There are no special requirements regarding the marking of country of origin of goods or the labeling of general merchandise. There are, however, labeling requirements for some food stuffs and pharmaceuticals.
Sources:
http://www.doingbusiness.org/data/exploreeconomies/honduras/trading-across-borders/
http://amcham.tecnopicacho.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/guia.pdf
