How to Import from China to Oman: Duties, Permits, and Customs Clearance
Basic knowledge of imports into Oman offers German exporters a brief overview of the country’s most important customs and import regulations. It provides information about customs procedures, accompanying documents, import duties, import bans and restrictions.
Import duties and other import duties
Oman is a member of the WTO. Together with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain, Oman is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC applies a common customs law and tariff. The external tariff is 5% for most goods. The tax base for customs is usually the CIF value. Some products, such as certain foods, medicines and books, can be imported into Oman duty-free. Trade in goods within the GCC is also duty-free. Preferential tariff rates apply to goods originating in the Great Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Singapore. Oman also has a bilateral agreement with the US.
Import sales tax is not currently levied, but it is planned to introduce it in 2018. The introduction of an excise tax on tobacco products, alcohol, carbonated beverages and energy drinks is also planned. The customs duties and other import duties can be called up free of charge in the EU market access database ( http://madb.europa.eu/ ).
Customs clearance
Basically, the following clearance options are available: clearance for free circulation, for temporary use, for transit, for processing, bonded goods storage and for free zone traffic.
The temporary admission procedure cannot be carried out with an ATA Carnet. Oman has not acceded to the TIR Convention, so the transit procedure using the TIR Carnet cannot be carried out.
Import permits
Import permits are required for some goods, such as used cars, plants, live animals or pharmaceuticals. Depending on the type of goods, other approval bodies may be responsible, such as the Ministry of the Environment or the Ministry of Health.
An import permit for used cars is usually only granted to used car dealers. The prerequisite is that cars are not older than 7 years. Buses and trucks must not be older than 10 years.
Accompanying documents
The following must always be enclosed with the customs declaration: Freight documents, commercial invoice with all customary information, if necessary a packing list and a non-preferential certificate of origin. Depending on the type of goods, special documents may be required upon import. Phytosanitary certificates must be submitted for plants, parts of plants and seeds. A veterinary certificate is required for live animals and animal products, and a Halal certificate for meat and meat products.
For goods to be imported into Oman, it is generally necessary to “legalize” the certificates of origin and commercial invoices by the consular department of the Oman embassy. The documents must first be checked and certified by the responsible Chamber of Commerce and Industry or by a notary. Legalization is subject to a fee.
Labeling and marking regulations
The origin marking must be permanently and non-removable on the product itself, for example by printing, engraving or pressing. Only in exceptional cases and only if an attachment due to the size or nature of the goods, such as B. is not possible in the case of small parts and foodstuffs, the marking on the packaging is permitted.
Food labeling must be in Arabic. QR codes must be attached to toys and small electrical appliances. Electrical devices for the household must be provided with the conformity mark (G-Mark).
Import bans
The import of narcotics, drugs, protected animal and plant species, live pigs, goods of Israeli origin, confectionery in the form of cigarettes, gaming machines, hazardous waste, radioactive products, ozone-depleting substances, asbestos, goods that meet the technical standards is prohibited do not conform in Oman; Unlabelled food in Arabic; all products, including publications and works of art, which are perceived as offensive in Oman from a moral or religious point of view.
Certification / norms and standards
Goods to be imported into Oman must either meet the standard conditions of the GCC or Oman. If no standards specific to Oman have been issued, the standards of the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) or corresponding ISO standards generally apply. The “Standardization and Metrology Sector” department of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is responsible for monitoring compliance with the GSO standards.
Internet address of the Oman Customs Administration: https://www.customs.gov.om/portal/en/esw/.
