In the last decade Uruguay experienced a true energy revolution. Back at the turn of the century oil accounted for 27% of Uruguay’s imports and a new pipeline was just about to begin supplying gas from Argentina. Today hydroelectric, biomass, solar and wind power plants provide 94.5% of the country’s electricity. Wind turbines fill the country’s ports on their way to installation and are one of the biggest item on import balance sheet.

Customs supported this change. Control processes on imports of machines, materials or large-volume parts, which are used in wind farms, have in particular been adapted to allow rapid withdrawal of the goods. The Customs broker is liable in the event of subsequent regularization.

It also worked to resolve the logistical problems posed by the size and weight of some of the goods involved. In particular, it provided importers with specially rearranged premises to allow for the storage of such goods at the port and reviewed the working hours of customs officials.

In addition and in another area, Customs has also implemented energy saving and waste sorting measures. In particular, all paper waste is collected and delivered to a recycling company, which in turn provides the institution with recycled paper, which once used is sent back for new processing. Today, more than 60% of the paper used by Customs comes from this recycling system.