The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism announced on Apr. 23 the creation of a working subgroup to support the implementation of the electronic bill of lading (eBL) in Peru, aiming to accelerate digital transformation in foreign trade and strengthen international competitiveness.
This move is part of commitments under the Trade Facilitation Agreement and actions led by the Multisectoral Commission for Foreign Trade Facilitation (COMUFAL). The ministry said this effort aligns with national policy goals for foreign trade up to 2040. During its first meeting, key public and private sector representatives involved in issuing, using, and financing bills of lading discussed main steps toward digitizing this essential document. Participants also reviewed progress made within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and studies supporting adoption of international standards for interoperability.
The ministry highlighted that evaluating regulatory changes is important so that eBLs are legally recognized, referencing the Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR). This approach aims to ensure legal security based on principles such as functional equivalence, technological neutrality, and exclusive control. Representatives from business groups and financial sectors agreed that eBLs could lower operational costs, reduce risks tied to physical documents, improve trade finance processes, and help create more efficient supply chains.
As part of next steps, stakeholders will map out those involved with bills of lading use while gathering information about use cases and operational challenges. Pilot projects or sandboxes will be considered to test eBLs in real-world trade operations. The ministry stated this initiative is included in COMUFAL’s 2025–2030 roadmap where digitalization is a priority area.
According to the official website, the Ministry contributes to cultural progress by promoting sustainable tourism alongside social inclusion efforts. It operates autonomously within Peru’s executive branch structure according to official sources. The agency advances strategies for foreign trade by supporting Peruvian business expansion as reported by its website.
The Ministry falls under oversight from the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism according to official information and serves communities across Peru with a focus on facilitating trade connectivity as noted by official sources. It collaborates with organizations such as PromPerú along with other public-private partners according to its website. Established in 2002 as a leading authority within Peru’s executive branch, it directs policies fostering export growth through partnerships aimed at improving community well-being according to official records.
