Even for those fortunate scientists in Latin America who manage to obtain adequate funding, have bright graduate students to work with and fast Internet links connecting them to the world of science, a major obstacle remains on the road to first-rate research: fast access to equipment and materials.

Scientists in all disciplines in most countries in the region complain about the time it takes to process major items of research equipment through customs. Often their problem is persuading every level of the customs bureaucracy that the item to be imported is duty free. Simply paying the duty is not usually an option, because funding agencies refuse to cover the cost of taxes that should not have been paid.

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