In addition to fiscal and financial incentives, the free zone regime confers a number of regulatory advantages. First, industrial and commercial state-owned monopoly suppliers must operate under a free competition regime within the free zone area.183 Second, no local content requirements, created or to be created, shall apply to activities carried out within the free zones.184 Third, there shall be no restrictions on the entry into and exit from the free zones of securities, national or foreign currency, and precious metals185 Fourth, corporate free zone users are entitled to a special regime for a quick approval of new legal entities and rapid changes to their articles of association.186 Fifth, free zone users shall be able to introduce goods needed for their consumption, construction, and repair of industrial equipment, buildings, and installations into the free trade zones, with the only requirement being having the invoice stamped by the General Trade Authority – Free Zone Department.187 In the specific case of services, the list of activities that have been considered the export of services by the legislation must be taken into account, which includes services that are deemed necessary to be rendered within the free trade zone.188 Finally, in order to provide additional security for free zone users and make the regime more stable, all tax exemptions, benefits, and rights stipulated by the free zone legislation are expressly guaranteed by the state. The statute stipulates that the state is obliged to compensate free zone users for any harm or losses caused by a modification in the free zones’ regulatory framework.189 Furthermore, the statute stipulates that, should the free zone operator lose his or her operator status, the Executive Power, through the Free Zone Office, may take any measure deemed necessary for the supply and maintenance of the infrastructure required for the due operation of the free zone.190 An additional guarantee for free zone users provides that the land where the free trade zones are located is legally committed to that specific purpose during the term granted by the free zone operator, and it cannot be used for any other type of activity.191
3. Conditions for incentives From a customs point of view, the activities performed in a free zone are carried out outside the national customs territory. As a result, the introduction of goods from the free zone into the national customs territory is regarded as an import, subject to payment of all customs duties and taxes that may correspond.192 The introduction of goods from the free zone into the national customs territory is subject to payment of both VAT193 and Special Internal Excise Tax.194 Likewise, the introduction
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