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IMPORT-EXPORT:
AMERICAN BUSINESS RESOURCES
Your complete guide on how to start and do business with the USA,
Central and South America. Information such as import/export regulations,
customs information, tax , currency, copyrights, etc.
BUSINESS
IN VENEZUELA
III. EXPORTING TO VENEZUELA
1.
General Export Statistics
The value of Venezuelan imports during the period January-October
1995 was 9,229 Million US $. This represents an increase of 37.2%
compared to the same period in 1994.
Major importing sectors were: Electric machines (25.5%), chemical
products (14.5%), materials for transportation (11.5%), common metals
(9.1%), agricultural sector (8.3%) and food, beverage and tobacco
industries (6.4%).
2.
U. S. Export Statistics
Traditionally, the United States has been Venezuela’s major
commercial partner. During 1995, 42.8% of Venezuelan imports came
from the United States.
3.
Venezuelan Tariffs
For the most part, Venezuelan tariffs are set on an ad-valorem basis.
Sometimes, however, import duties are calculated on an specific
or mixed basis.
According to the Venezuela's custom Tariff, contained in Decree
989, in force since February 9th 1996, there are four levels of
tariffs applicable for goods imported. The highest range is up to
20%, the middle 15% and 10%, and the lowest is 5%. Vehicles are
an exceptional case with tariffs up to 36%.
In 1990, Venezuela adopted the Brussels Harmonized Code on Nomenclature
of Merchandise, which was incorporated into the customs tariff list,
and contains all specific legal data applied to every item imported
into the country, including non-tariff barriers.
The custom tariff also expressly indicates that the commitments
established in the integration agreements signed by Venezuela, will
prevail over the custom tariff. Therefore, a preferential treatment
will occur in the
event that the products are imported from any member country to
these agreements to which Venezuela is also a member. The tariff
to be applied would depend on the specific agreement. For instance,
it would be
zero percent (0%) if the products are imported from members of the
Andean Group: Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia (provided the products
comply with the corresponding rules of origin). In the event the
products are imported from Mexico or Chile, the corresponding tariff
elimination programs would be applied, also provided the rules of
origin are complied with. If the goods are imported from Peru, the
application of a zero percent (0%) import duty, would depend on
the incorporation of the goods to the list of Peruvian products
which benefit from a temporary free-trade scheme with Venezuela.
In any case, the rules of origin of any Latin American integration
agreement must be fulfilled.
4.
Special Duties
Customs services tax are 1% of the value of the merchandise imported
into the country.
5.
Venezuelan Customs Procedures
There are several schemes which may be joined by the private sector:
Re-importation or re-exportation of products, transit of goods,
drawback, "maquilla", and others, which will allow interested
persons to benefit while promoting commerce with Venezuela.
6.
Venezuelan Import Licensing, Import Restrictions
In principle, no prior license or governmental permit would be required
for importing goods. However, there are goods currently subject
to restrictions and previous licenses (Non-tariff barriers, "NTB").
Such NTB's are listed in the so-called "notas" which differ
depending on the nature of the restriction imposed upon the importation
of a product. Accordingly, some of them are based on public health
and security reasons, and the importation of some of these products
are reserved to the National Government and its Ministries. There
are ten different types of NTB's according in the said legislation.
Finally, to prevent dumping practices, on May 26th, 1992, the International
Trade Disloyal Practices Law was enacted. This Law regulates the
policies destined to prevent the harmful effects of dumping and
subsidy practices in the national production.
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