El Salvador and the Dominican Republic have signed a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) aimed at improving the efficiency of foreign trade operations between the two countries, according to the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Customs.

The agreement seeks to enhance bilateral trade relations through the reciprocal validation of certifications, security controls, and conformity assessments. This will enable faster customs clearance, reduce operational costs in imports and exports, and eliminate duplicate procedures for merchandise movement between both nations.

“This signing represents a significant milestone for the commercial relationship between our two countries,” stated the General Directorate of Customs in an official release, noting that the MRA was signed in accordance with World Customs Organization (WCO) standards.

The agreement was formalized during the Meeting of Customs Directors of the Americas and the Caribbean, held in El Salvador. It adds to ongoing efforts to promote safe and streamlined trade across the region.

With this new partnership, the Dominican Republic now holds a total of eleven MRAs, strengthening support for Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs)—companies recognized for meeting high standards of security and compliance that qualify for customs benefits.