Dear
Customer(s),
This is for your
information.
Saudi Arabia -
Customs Update Affecting Imports & Exports
The
situation created by the short notice introduction of the new instructions by
Saudi Arabian customs is complex. It has led to an unpredictable situation at
the border points with non-compliant freight and vehicles held , adding to
transportation delays. The directions outlined in this Broadcast are designed to
minimise the impact on the imports and exports moved by TNT and to ensure
compliance with the new measures as long as they remain in force. The situation
on the ground is being monitored closely and any significant changes in status
will be notified through the Broadcast mechanism.
As a result of a
process change in Saudi customs, the below communication is being broadcast to
all Middle East customers. In light of the below information, we are continuing
to engage the Saudi Customs Authority in regards to additional clarity on
implementation of the new processes with further updates to be issued when
available.
Note,
1) It is crucial that all new consignments
collected comply with the below requirements to avoid any service delays. For
consignment that have already entered the network, the respective customer
services team must contact the sender to request the additional information
which should be forwarded to the group name CUSTOM.INQUIRY.KSA.1.
2) All
transit cons held in BAH will be given an "MRC" status update with all
consignments held in the Bahrain Causeway or Al Bhata facilities given a "ID"
status update. Due to potential capacity issues within Bahrain, a revised
standard RO policy of 5 days will also be applied to all consignments for which
the documentation is not received, with all costs being ISB'd to the origin
country.
____________________________________________________________________________________
EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION
The Saudi Arabia Customs Authority have
recently issued a new customs clearance requirement for both importers and
exporters. This process requires the sender/shipper to present evidence, at the
time of customs clearance, of the financial transaction between the seller and
the buyer of the goods being imported to, or exported from, the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. For example the financial transaction could be payment via cash, Letter
of Credit, electronic remittance or any other legitimate financial means. Note,
this specifically refers to the transaction between the seller and the buyer,
and not to the financial transaction between the sender/receiver and the
transporter, i.e. TNT.
TNT has also received confirmation that the
Saudi Customs clearance system has now been updated to accommodate this new
information requirement with further system updates expected in the near future.
The new process therefore results in the following:
Imports
Applicable to all express products
destined for Dammam & the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, all economy
express products and all Full Truck Load (FTL) products destined for Saudi
Arabia.
For consignments being customs cleared at the Bahrain / Saudi
Causeway Clearance facility
Low Value Consignments (Value Exceeding SR
375 But Below SR 50,000)
a) Each consignment should be accompanied by
documented evidence of the financial transaction between the seller and the
buyer of the goods being imported.
b) Alternatively, the importer of the
goods can provide a Letter of Undertaking, referencing the TNT consignment
number, stating that evidence of the financial transaction related to this
consignment will be submitted to Saudi Customs within 3 months from the time of
the customs clearance transaction.
c) Ideally, the method of financial
transaction will also be included on the commercial invoice relating to the
goods imported.
High Value Consignments (Value Exceeding SR 50,000)
a) Each consignment should be accompanied by documented evidence of the
financial transaction between the seller and the buyer of the goods being
imported.
b) If this is not available, a financial declaration form
(Arabic) may be completed and must be signed and stamped by the sender and
handed over to TNT at the time of collection. Note: An English version is
available for reference purposes only.
c) Ideally, the method of financial
transaction will also be included on the commercial invoice relating to the
goods imported.
d) Alternatively, the importer of the goods can provide a
Letter of Undertaking, referencing the TNT consignment number, stating that
evidence of the financial transaction related to this consignment will be
submitted to Saudi Customs within 3 months from the time of the customs
clearance transaction.
For Full Truck Load consignments being
customs cleared at the Al Bhata land border facility
All
Consignments (regardless of the value)
a) Each consignment should be
accompanied by documented evidence of the financial transaction between the
seller and the buyer of the goods being imported / exported.
b)
Alternatively, the importer of the goods can provide a Letter of Undertaking,
referencing the TNT consignment number, stating that evidence of the financial
transaction related to this consignment will be submitted to Saudi Customs
within 3 months from the time of the customs clearance transaction.
c)
Ideally, the method of financial transaction will also be included on the
commercial invoice relating to the goods imported/exported.
d) As a further
alternative for GCC origin consignments, the shipper may choose to pay all
duties in the origin country and the consignment will be cleared in to Saudi
Arabia via the recognised Makassa process. Please contact your local TNT
Customer Service representative who will be able to provide further details on
this option
Exports
Applicable to all consignments exiting
Saudi Arabia via the Bahrain / Saudi Causeway Clearance facility
All
Consignments (regardless of the value)
a) Each consignment should be
accompanied by documented evidence of the financial transaction between the
seller and the buyer of the goods being exported.
b) Alternatively, the
exporter of the goods can provide a Letter of Undertaking, referencing the TNT
consignment number, stating that evidence of the financial transaction related
to this consignment will be submitted to Saudi Customs within 3 months from the
time of the customs clearance transaction.
c) Ideally, the method of
financial transaction will also be included on the commercial invoice relating
to the goods exported.
The above requirement is effective immediately.
For consignments that are currently in transit, you will be contacted shortly by
your respective TNT Customer Services team to obtain the required documentation.
It would therefore be beneficial if you could start to compile this in advance
to avoid any further delays to your consignments.
For details of
this and all other clearance related broadcasts, please visit the dedicated
Customs Broadcasts expressnet page below:
http://expressnet.tnt.com/intranet/en_wn/Customs/Broadcasts.html
With
Warm Regards,
Team,BMC
