Exporta Fácil (Commercial Integration Project by postal shipments for MSMEs)

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Exporta Fácil is a government-managed simplified export scheme that enables micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to export packages up to 20 kilograms worth $2,500 via postal services without complex customs procedures.
What are the main aims and objectives?

The program specifically seeks to potentiate micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to access international markets through a simplified export system utilizing postal logistics platforms. By streamlining the export process and eliminating significant barriers to entry—such as high fixed costs, complex customs procedures, and the need to hire expensive customs brokers and freight forwarders—Exporta Fácil targets Paraguay's artisans, small producers, and low-volume exporters whose shipments are economically unviable through traditional export channels. The ultimate objective is to enable Paraguayan micro and small entrepreneurs to access international buyers, expand beyond the domestic market, create employment, and contribute to economic opportunities through formalization and internationalization of small businesses.

In Paraguay, companies face significant export challenges, especially MSMEs. These challenges are due to barriers related to knowledge, resources, procedures and other exogenous variables. Particularly noteworthy are those related to procedures, which include:

  • Shipping processes and costs.
  • Documentation and bureaucracy required for the export operation.
  • Tariff barriers to export.
  • Non-tariff barriers to exports (technical barriers).
  • Differences in the use of products in foreign markets.
  • Cost of adapting products to foreign markets.
  • Logistical difficulties in reaching the target market (e.g. distributors).

 

How does the program work?

Exporta Fácil operates through a digitalized, simplified export process that removes bureaucratic barriers typically faced by MSMEs. The program allows companies to export packages weighing up to 20 kilograms with a maximum invoice value of US$2,500 per shipment to international destinations including Brazil, the United States, and other countries.​

Rather than requiring MSMEs to visit customs offices, complete full export declarations, and hire customs brokers, participating companies deliver their packages to the Dirección Nacional de Correos del Paraguay (DINACOPA), Paraguay's national postal authority, which serves as the designated official logistics operator. MSMEs accompany shipments with simplified export customs declarations and other relevant documents as established by program regulations.​

An Interinstitutional Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Commission manages the program, coordinating multiple government institutions including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), DINACOPA, the National Civil Aviation Authority (DINAC), the National Tax Service (DNIT), the National Customs Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the single export window (VUE), and the Ministry of Technologies and Communications (MITIC).​

In October 2025, Exporta Fácil 2.0 launched with upgraded digital features including: a basic guide of requirements by country or region before initiating shipments; a merchandise tracking system with email notifications from receipt through delivery; a list of forms and procedures required at destination countries for importers; statistics on rejections, returns, and problems to provide feedback for training exporters; and integration with customs systems enabling online cargo status tracking.​

The program includes training and awareness initiatives to help exporters use the platform effectively and comply with international requirements. MSMEs access the system through a web platform where they register and initiate shipments, leveraging Paraguay's existing postal infrastructure to reduce transaction costs and formalize small-scale cross-border commerce.

What is the overall cost?

Specific funding figures exclusively allocated to Exporta Fácil in Paraguay cannot be determined from available sources.

How was it implemented?

Exporta Fácil was formally established via Presidential Decree No. 6056/2016, creating an Interinstitutional Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Commission for the program's management and implementation. The program was developed as part of Paraguay's broader strategy to promote MSME internationalization and formalization through simplified export procedures utilizing the national postal network.​

Paraguay's Exporta Fácil followed a regional model pioneered by Brazil beginning in the 2000s. Simplified export schemes known as Exporta Fácil or Exporta Simple were initially implemented across Latin America thanks to projects funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and other international organizations. Brazil established the model by leveraging its postal network (Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Telégrafos) to provide MSMEs access to international markets, a template that Paraguay adapted for its context.​

Although established by decree in 2016, operational implementation proceeded gradually. Paraguay launched the pilot project as an inter-institutional initiative in 2022, following capacity-building efforts to support MSME internationalization. The pilot phase included initial shipments to Brazil, with two pioneering microenterprises—Felicia Home and Morena Toro, both artisanal businesses—participating in pilot shipments and sharing experiences to help refine program operations.​

Continuous refinement and technological advancement characterize the program's trajectory. The Interinstitutional Commission met in October 2025 to analyze the program's status, present technological improvements, review procedures, and identify operational challenges to optimize simplified exports. This iterative approach led to the launch of Exporta Fácil 2.0 in October 2025, incorporating enhanced digital features, improved tracking systems, performance feedback mechanisms, and integration with customs systems to increase operational efficiency and user experience.

Timeline:

2015: COSIPLAN - IIRSA pre-diagnostic visit and seed workshop in Paraguay.

October 4, 2016: Decree 6056 of "the Inter-Institutional Commission for the implementation of Exporta Fácil in Paraguay" is issued.

2017: Exporta Fácil Paraguay's image design is promoted and the first thematic plans are developed.

2018: Technical assistance for cost definition is provided with support from IDB-INTAL.

2020: Development of the Exporta Fácil web platform promoted with IDB support.

2021: Start of technical assistance for implementation by the European Union project "MIPYME Compite".

March 13, 2022: The first Exporta Facil pilot shipment is made in Paraguay.

July - September 2022: Adaptation of regulations at MIC and DNA.

November 18, 2022: The last test shipment was sent abroad, concluding the pilot implementation.

What impact has been measured?

Comprehensive quantitative impact data for Exporta Fácil in Paraguay remains limited in available sources.

One of the most important milestones in the management was the implementation of the pilot stage of the "Commercial Integration Project by postal shipments for MSMEs - Exporta Facil", which after more than 7 years of process, achieved in 2022 the start of operations with the first shipments abroad, totaling 10 loads in 8 days of shipments with the first 6 companies using the tool. 

This progress was achieved through coordinated work of the Exporta Fácil Interinstitutional Committee and the adjustments to internal rules and regulations developed by:
* DINACOPA, for fee exemptions for companies participating in the pilot;
* DNA, to exonerate the fee for the use of the SOFIA platform; 
* MIC VUE, to update the fees for registration and renewal in the Exporters Registry (after more than 15 years without modification).

What lessons can be learned?
  • Six-year implementation lag compromised early impact: Although created by presidential decree in 2016, the program did not have substantive operational pilots until 2022, then continued requiring adjustments as of October 2025, demonstrating that regulatory frameworks alone are insufficient without parallel institutional capacity development.​
  • Restrictive shipment parameters may limit scalability: The 20-kilogram weight limit and $2,500 maximum invoice value per shipment significantly constrain export opportunities for MSMEs seeking to scale beyond artisanal and small-parcel markets, potentially limiting the program's relevance as businesses grow.​
  • Dependency on single logistics provider creates bottleneck risk: Unlike more flexible schemes, Exporta Fácil's exclusive reliance on DINACOPA (the national postal authority) as the single designated operator may create service quality, capacity, or efficiency constraints that limit program effectiveness, particularly if postal services lack infrastructure in rural regions.​
  • Pioneer success contradicts uptake challenges: While artisanal enterprises like Morena Toro demonstrate clear export value from the program, simultaneous October 2025 efforts to "amplify the volume of exports" indicate the program remains relatively unknown or underutilized among Paraguay's broader MSME population.​
  • Incomplete institutional integration: Paraguay's "partially implemented" status for MSME participation in national trade facilitation committees suggests Exporta Fácil operates within an ecosystem where complementary trade facilitation infrastructure remains underdeveloped, limiting synergistic benefits.​
  • Absence of public performance metrics undermines accountability: No publicly available statistics on program usage (number of exporters, export values, destination markets, or success rates) make it difficult to assess whether Exporta Fácil is achieving its stated objectives of formalizing and internationalizing MSMEs or to identify necessary improvements.​
  • Regional postal scheme model comparison: Brazil's Exporta Fácil operates without maximum weight or value limits and provides broader logistics provider choice, suggesting Paraguay's more restrictive model may represent a less competitive version of the regional concept.
Relevant Documents
FICHA EXPORTA FACIL.pdf

CURATED BY

Juan Paredes Romero

General Director of Infomation
Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay
Paraguay