José Ignacio Zaragoza Ambrosi, president of the Association of Customs Agents of Nuevo Laredo, says that the work done with the Mexican authorities has allowed them to detect fraud, prevent smuggling and guarantee a clean and transparent trade.
Today the work of the customs agent is not carried out alone, but in close coordination such as the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM), the Tax Administration Service (SAT), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Ministry of Economy (SE), says one of the candidates for the Presidency of the Confederation of Associations of Customs Agents of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM).
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“This collaboration allows to detect fraud, prevent smuggling, and guarantee a clean and transparent trade,” says Forbes Mexico.
“We are the first to detect if an operation is risky, if a document seems altered, or if a product needs special permission,” he says.
“We contribute real -time knowledge to protect Mexico. Beyond being representatives, we are auxiliaries of the customs policy of the State,” says the customs agent.
Zaragoza Ambrosi says that customs agents actively promote the digitalization of procedures, regulatory compliance and the opening of foreign trade to small and medium enterprises, generating greater competitiveness and strengthening the country’s tax base.
Each well carried out operation contributes to the strengthening of public finances. “If taxes are well calculated and declared correctly, that means more resources for social programs, for infrastructure and for national development,” he says
“If we do our work well, Mexico wins. Because we have stronger borders, a stronger economy and foreign trade that is an example of legality and efficiency,” says José Ignacio Zaragoza Ambrosi.
The customs agent expresses that professionals represent companies before the customs authorities, as well as are key actors for the proper functioning of the national economic system.
“An customs agent is an authorized representative who guarantees that the goods that enter or leave the country comply with the law,” he says.
“We ensure that the products are not falsified, illegal or dangerous, and that the contributions are paid correctly,” says José Ignacio Zaragoza Ambrosi.
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In Mexico, whose economy is deeply linked to foreign trade, customs agents have a strategic role to ensure that each import and export operation is within the legal, fiscal and regulatory framework, he says.
Customs agents have solidarity responsibility in each operation, which means that they share legal responsibility with the importer or exporter,
“This figure implies a deep work of verification, compliance and due diligence, especially in a stage prior to any commercial operation,” he says.
It indicates that the operation of an customs agency is regulated by specific laws such as Customs Law, the Fiscal Code of the Federation, and the General Foreign Trade Rules (RGCE).
From customer acceptance to customs office and possible subsequent audits, the process is thoroughly structured.
The operation of an customs agency is regulated by specific laws such as Customs Law, the Fiscal Code of the Federation, and the General Foreign Trade Rules (RGCE). From customer acceptance to customs office and possible subsequent audits, the process is thoroughly structured.
Before starting operations, the agency performs a client evaluation, verifies fiscal and legal history (such as the positive opinion of the SAT and reviews in black lists such as OFAC or article 69-B), and classifies its level of risk. This phase guarantees that it only works with formal, legitimate and fiscally responsible companies.
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Each boarding requires the punctual delivery of documents (invoice, packaging list, boarding knowledge, certificates or permits). The customs agent prepares the request, transmits it to the SAT, makes the payment of contributions, and manages the customs office. Authorities such as the ANAM, the SAT, the Ministry of Economy, Cofepris, Senasica, and Semarnat actively participate in this phase.
After the office, the authorities can check if the declared value was real. If irregularities are detected, audits can be applied, issuing tax credits, suspending the importer of the register and even proceeding criminally by tax fraud.
