As the Chilean Customs Chamber, we would like to inform you that, now that we are on the third day facing serious difficulties in carrying out the mission entrusted to us, importers and exporters, to process the entry and exit of their cargo, the data transmission systems and communication networks of Customs, Van, Sicex and others continue to present failures and cannot be stabilized.
As a result, we have a practically stopped foreign trade and permanent delays in approvals or acceptances, which has a severe impact on our economy. Our country lives and depends on commercial exchanges, and we are proud year after year of the new markets we reach and we celebrate the progress made by joining new international trade agreements, but having a control system, which, due to tax and fiscal regulations, cannot respond correctly, is of little help.
We highlight the willingness of the National Customs Service and its director to open communication channels, receive urgent cases and seek palliative support to unblock emergencies, but today, everything is urgent, raw materials for industry, medical supplies and medicines, hospital equipment, food and fruit, all products in general cannot wait. Millions of dollars are committed to imports and exports that generate trade. In a couple of days, the cherry export season will open, taking into account that there are already ships that have brought forward their shipments and we do not have the basic support tool to ensure the departure of these loads. Currently, there are agent partners who have been waiting 3 days for the approval of Customs Declarations or other procedures, generating port, air and land costs that will affect users and the country's economy.
This situation is already serious and we need support and a plan B or C from the authorities. The government and the ministries that have a direct relationship with this service must allocate greater resources to integrate technological and security support that allows us to maintain the continuity of our operations. Our reputation is at stake here, as are the investments of companies from all segments, entrepreneurs who have invested their capital in a venture and in moving their projects forward. Not achieving the objectives of fulfilling their contracts has an impact on their companies, employees, families and the entire population, who ultimately pay for these failures and see it reflected in the price of products and supplies they must buy.
We call on the government and the authorities to provide support, enable an alternative system to deal with this emergency and protect our sector and trade in general. We cannot fail to meet our commitments, nor can we assume the costs of these failures, which will also have an impact once this contingency is over.
Felipe Serrano Solar
President
Chilean Customs Chamber AG
