Customs

The National Congress passed first reading of sweeping reforms to Honduras's anti-money-laundering laws, introducing the first regulatory framework for cryptocurrency providers, tightening electronic-transfer controls, and raising the mandatory customs declaration threshold for cash to $15,000.

Honduras's National Port Authority will open the container customs facility 24 hours daily and install X-ray scanning equipment expected to increase scanning capacity sixfold at Puerto Cortés, aimed at streamlining cargo movement and maintaining US certification.

Congress approved a special law to facilitate Honduran migrants' return and relocation of household goods, but implementation stalls pending technical regulations from the Finance Ministry and Customs authorities, a congresswoman said.

El Amatillo border crossing has experienced severe congestion as travelers surge into El Salvador over the Morazán Day holiday, creating long delays in immigration and customs processing.

Honduras's customs authority will operate El Florido and El Amatillo border posts 24 hours during the Morazán Week holiday, deploying scanners and digital systems that have cut courier-shipment processing from 15 days to about 15 minutes.

The Public Prosecutor's Special Tax Crimes Unit is conducting inspections of customs warehouses in northern Honduras on suspicion of tax fraud, in coordination with customs and national intelligence authorities.

A 61-year-old woman from Catacamas was detained at La Ceiba's Golosón Airport on Thursday after customs inspectors found she could not justify carrying $11,629 in cash; prosecutors are investigating possible money laundering.

The Agriculture Ministry's health agency (Senasa) is training veterinarians, importers, and customs agents on requirements and procedures for importing animal products and veterinary medicines to strengthen biosecurity and ensure compliance with import controls.

A May law passed unanimously by Congress lets returning Honduran migrants import up to $150,000 in household goods and $100,000 in work equipment duty-free within 12 months of return.

Honduras's new law exempts returned migrants—whether deported, voluntary returnees, or those with expired visas—from import taxes on household goods (up to $150,000), work tools and machinery (up to $100,000), and two vehicles per family, with processing handled through a unified online portal.

National Police border agents seized merchandise valued at over 6 million lempiras (about $240,000) and arrested two suspects in El Paraíso department during a frontier operation.

Customs Director Marco Tulio Abadíe said Honduras loses about L1 billion annually to cigarette smuggling, a loss that reduces tax revenue and harms the economy, while only six companies operate under the authorized economic operator program designed to secure trade.

Congress approved a law allowing Honduran migrants who return home to import household goods up to $200,000 and work equipment up to $150,000 duty-free; Finance Ministry officials have 60 days to establish the application process.

Honduras's customs authority, ARSA, and SENASA signed a cooperation agreement to streamline import and export processes through shared technology and risk management, aiming to cut costs and processing times for businesses.