SAT will increase the number of employees at Tecun Uman Customs, and the flow of Guatemalans will increase by 40% to buy in Mexico for El Buen Fin

This event provides the opportunity to benefit from offers and discounts on products from different categories through physical and online sales.

This year it will be held from Friday 17th to Monday 20th November.

About 40,000 Guatemalans are expected to stop in to make their purchases, according to Mexican trade sector data from previous years, while the flow through land customs in Guatemala and Mexico increases by 40% during the event compared to normal days.

The number of operational staff per shift will be increased by 20 to 25 at the Tecun Uman 1 customs office (pedestrian crossing) in San Marcos, due to the attendance Huge, they need more employees.

In addition, there is a Tecún Umán 2 customs office, which is intended for the passage of commercial goods.

The segments of products brought by Guatemalans the most on these dates were, in order, groceries, followed by alcoholic beverages and medicines. But during the season they also take the opportunity to buy clothes, shoes, appliances, sweets, etc.

The value of goods that a Guatemalan can bring in tax-free is US$500 (about Q3,900).

The conditions for benefiting from the exemption are that he must not have enjoyed this right during the last six months and must remain outside the country for a period of no less than 72 hours.

If it exceeds this amount or has previously enjoyed an exemption, it must pay the taxes determined by the Customs Authority through Form SAT-8560 available at Declaraguate, which includes payment of the customs declaration of import duties, value-added tax, etc.

Ovalle said that on this date he is coordinating with his Mexican customs counterpart to ensure trade and simplify flows, but also to ensure controls. Therefore, the number of customs workers will be increased so that they can meet the needs of users and citizens, he added.

It was noted that information will be provided at the border center regarding service hours, and quick steps will be sought for travelers who come to bring products on those dates.

High season

Anti-smuggling operations are carried out throughout the year, but they increase during the months of October, November and December due to it being the high trade season.

In the next few weeks there will be more operations, as they are derived from the information collected, and these are the weeks in which the transport of goods increases. Therefore, they also call on all users to comply with all tax and customs obligations, Ovalle said.

The operations are carried out in the presence of bodies such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Interior, along with the National Civil Police and SAT.

The amounts seized depend on the commodity and its value, and according to the segment to which it belongs.