Legal Framework
MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) was founded in 1991 as a result of the need for countries in the area (Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay) to strengthen productive development and expand economic growth in the region.
MERCOSUR is today, removing trade barriers, a tangible and palpable reality, open and integrated market of 250 million people worldwide.
Following the strong growth in container traffic, in the late 80s, and forecast the growth that would result in MERCOSUR, Uruguay decided to redefine the role so far assigned to the port, with the aim of raising standards quality, and provide, at the same time, higher profits.
Thus was promoted in 1992 the Port Law, together with a series of decrees designed to lead a change in the traditional roles of port warehouses.
- Establish the regime of customs exclave to the regional distribution of goods, using the same criteria as major hubs (Hamburg, Rotterdam, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.).
- Allow foreign users retain ownership of the goods using the warehouse in Uruguay as if it were an extension of their warehouse.
- Exempt from taxes on goods of foreign companies operating from abroad but with stocks stored in Uruguay.
- Allow self-assignment (or change) shipping destination.
- Allow all types of transactions with the goods, provided they do not involve a change in nature (subdivisions, selection, mixing, packaging, marking, etc.. Can be made freely)
- Allow free movement (buy / sell / transfer) of goods, without requiring formal procedures or approval of any kind.
- No set time limits on retention of goods in Port.
- All operational in Port should be carried out by private operators in a framework of strict security