Receipt ExampleDownload
Permit List TemplateDownload
Medical Donation Letter – From donor to beneficiaryDownload
Non-Medical Donation Letter – From donor to beneficiary Download
Donation Letter – From the beneficiary to the donor Download

Context 

Over the years, Honduras has received thousands of missions and humanitarian groups, bringing and shipping material donations to Honduras. Honduras has needed the help over the years. However, they are trying to make a turning point in their economy and recognize that the large importation of free goods is hurting their local business and economy. As a result, they are putting restrictions on imports to make it harder for goods to enter the country and incentivise the purchasing of local goods. There is a process for bringing in goods for donation, but it requires a permit and approval process where a list of all the goods is sent a month in advance for approval. The goods will be examined against the list on the day they enter the country to ensure everything is accounted for correctly.

Below, you will find details regarding different kinds of donations. Please read this document carefully. Though there is a process for importing donations, we recommend that as much as possible, the money be sent to purchase local goods. 

Organizations

There are two different organizations that deal with different products, with some overlap. ARSA is the organization that is over all “procedures for national or international donation of food, beverages, cosmetic, hygienic, natural products, medical devices and other products of sanitary interest.” ADUANAS’ mission is “To contribute to the increase of tax revenue within the framework of the Government’s fiscal policy, to security, and to the country’s economic growth and development, through the implementation of effective, innovative, agile, and transparent customs processes and controls.”

  • ARSA – Works with digital copies.
  • ADUANAS – Only works with physical documents.

Timeframes

All the following documentation must be turned in to us 40 days before entering Honduras to provide the necessary time to have the permit approved. Make sure that all documents are ready and sent to us by then. Otherwise, any temporary import or donation will be denied entry into Honduras.

Receipts

In the following categories for the import of goods, there is a task to submit the receipt or value of the items being imported/donated. The total value can not exceed $1,000.00. Both ARSA and ADUANAS have told us that the value just needs to be symbolic. What that means is that no matter what the original receipt says you can create an itemized receipt giving values that total less that $1,000.00. They prefer that we do this. Even when we have given the original receipt, they have rejected it and asked us to create our own symbolic receipt with symbolic values. 

Temporary Imports

Temporary imports refer to personal items and equipment that will be used by a team professional, such as a doctor, dentist, or general contractor. They will use the items for their work and then return home with them. This is the easiest permit to acquire, and it is an affidavit stating that the item/equipment is personal property and not for donation. 

List of the paperwork needed from the owner of the item/equipment for a temporary import permit: 

  • ARSA – More information to come.
    • An itemized list with the quantity of items/equipment.
    • Detailed description of the goods by brand, model, or style, and commercial value.
    • The port of entry where each of the items will enter Honduras.
  • ADUANAS – The following is for ADUANAS, which will need to be in a physical copy.
    • An itemized list with the quantity of items/equipment.
    • Detailed description of the goods by brand, model, or style, and commercial value.
    • The port of entry where each of the items will enter Honduras.

Donations

The following items will need to be donated. They will be imported into Honduras but not sold. 

Medical Equipment & Medications

Remember that items/equipment that fall under ARSA will need a permit to enter the country. Those items are food, beverages, cosmetics, hygienics, natural products, medical devices, and other products of sanitary interest.

List of the paperwork needed from the owner of the item/equipment for a temporary import permit:

  • ARSA – The following can be digital or physical copies.
    • A donation letter signed and stamped by the donor or legal representative in the country of origin.
      • A downloadable document is at the top of the page.
    • Excel document with detailed description of the products/items/equipment to be donated by ARSA, formatted by type of product.
      • A downloadable document is at the top of the page.
      • The Excel document should have the following columns of information:
        • Product Name, Concentrations, Pharmaceutical Form, Batch Number, Total Quantity per Batch, Unit of Measure, Manufacturer’s Name, Expiration Date (the expiration date cannot be less than nine months from the date the medication enters Honduras). 
  • ADUANAS – The following is for ADUANA, which will need to be in a physical copy.
    • Donation letter (From donor to beneficiary)
    • Letter of Acceptance of Donation (From the beneficiary to the donor, the organization receiving the donation is responsible for this)
    • Invoice/Receipt (with inventory of what is being brought and the symbolic cost of each item, no less than $1,000.00)
    • Import permit from ARSA

List of Controlled Medications

More information to come.

Non-medical and hygienic donations

Examples: tools, equipment for projects/wifi, VBS material, clothes, etc.

  • ADUANAS – The following is for ADUANA, which will need to be in a physical copy.
  • The downloadable templates are at the top of the page.
    • Donation letter (From donor to beneficiary)
    • Letter of Acceptance of Donation (From the beneficiary to the donor)
    • Invoice/Receipt (with inventory of what is being brought and the symbolic cost of each item, no less than $1,000.00)