Most countries require that all products being shipped into their borders must go through a customs clearance process. This is a legal procedure and failure to comply with it can lead to your items being seized or you being fined by the government. The customs clearance process is carried out at ports of entry, where shipments are physically examined for contraband and dutiable goods.
Here’s what you need to know about this process and how it works…
A customs clearance is when an imported product or shipment goes through a legal examination, so that the proper taxes and duties can be assessed on the items being shipped. The government then collects those fees from you as the importer (or owner) of the goods. When products arrive in a country, they go through customs procedures and, if required, inspections to ensure that proper taxes are paid on them. If you do not correctly manage your import/export shipments then you may end up with fines or have your goods taken away. This is why it’s important to follow strict shipping guidelines so you can have a smooth customs clearance. In most cases, your shipment will be examined and taxed at the port it enters (your shipment is likely to make several different stops along the way before reaching its final destination). As such, it's important that you know whether the country your products are being shipped to has any specific entry requirements for your products.
For example, many countries require that shipments are accompanied by an invoice detailing the contents of the packages (as well as their value). In Oman, for instance, this is called a Commercial Invoice or an Oman Customs House Invoice. You can learn more about Oman's import/export documentation requirements here . If you're unsure whether Oman requires Commercial Invoice documentation, then you should definitely check with Oman Customs before you send any shipments.
If your shipment is going to Oman, be sure to include the following information in your Oman customs documents:
- The name and address of the importer (you)
- A complete description of all goods contained in the shipment, including their packing list
- Omani Customs Invoice Number (Oman requires this)
In Oman, the Oman Customs House Invoice is a legal document that has to be attached to each shipment that you send into Oman. This document includes all of the information required for Oman customs clearance and should include:
- The Omani invoice number
- Omani custom number
- Oman customs broker’s name and registration number
- Omani Importer’s name, business license details, Oman address or Oman PO Box. (Note: Oman Customs requires that this information be included on all Commercial invoice.)
The invoice must also have a complete description of the contents of your shipment, including the product code and quantity. Oman also requires that you include a commercial description of your products in Omani Arabic - this is an added level of detail regarding what’s being imported and can be very helpful to Oman customs officials if they need more details about why your shipment was sent to Oman or why it should be allowed into Oman. Oman Customs requires that commercial invoices include:
- Omani heading number and Omani tariff code
- Oman country of importation
- Oman item description (with a retail value for taxable goods)
- Oman price, quantity, description, packing list number/customs invoice number, unit price by Oman currency standard or English, measurement value and Oman quantity
Commercial invoices also have to include:
- Omani importer name/Oman business license number of Oman PHZ (represents Oman owner or consignee) – note that Oman customs will not allow the shipment of goods to a PO Box address. Instead, you will need to use an actual company address in Oman.
- Omani importer Oman customs broker Oman company name and Oman head office address if it’s different from the company or individual name (in Oman, the custom broker is called a PHZ)
They also need to show:
- Oman date of shipment
- Oman port of exit/importation - this is Oman’s port, not yours
- Oman customs seal number/ Oman customs control number (be sure to include this information)
It also needs to have the Oman importer signature. This is usually included on an Omani invoice, but you should double check with your Oman freight forwarder or Oman customs agent that it's included before you send your Omani Commercial Invoice document for Oman customs clearance. Oman Customs also requires that commercial invoices include:
- Oman country of importation or Omani importer’s name, Oman business license number of Oman PHZ (represents Oman owner or consignee) – note that Oman customs will not allow the shipment of goods to a PO Box address. Instead, you will need to use an actual Oman company address in Oman.- Omani importer Oman customs broker Oman company name and Oman head office address if it’s different from the company or individual name (in Oman, the custom broker is called a PHZ)- Oman date of shipment- Oman port of exit/importation - this is Oman’s port, not yours- Oman customs seal number/ Oman customs control number (be sure to include this information)- Oman importer signature If you fail to follow Oman customs clearance procedures when shipping your goods into Oman, your shipment will be delayed or it may be seized by Oman Customs. Keep in mind that Omani Customs can also refuse to release shipments when they’re not presented with the Oman invoice document.
- Oman Importer Type (Oman requires this information)
If you fail to follow Oman customs clearance procedures when shipping your goods into Oman, your shipment will be delayed or it may be seized by Oman Customs. Keep in mind that Omani Customs can also refuse to release shipments when they’re not presented with the Oman invoice document.- Oman freight forwarder Oman customs agent Oman company contact person
Commercial invoices will not be accepted by Oman Customs without all of this information, so make sure you don't omit any of it.
Your shipment will be delayed or seized if Omani Customs doesn’t have all these pieces of information on an Oman commercial invoice.
The Omani Commercial Invoice will also need to state the Oman value of the goods in Omani Rials (currently 2.16 Omani Riyals equates to 1 USD). If it does not, then Oman customs in Salalah Oman can refuse to release your shipment. They will also require an Omani Commercial Invoice, handling statement letter and Oman commercial invoice declaration.
If you fail to follow Oman customs clearance procedures when shipping your goods into Oman, your shipment will be delayed or it may be seized by Oman Customs. Keep in mind that Omani Customs can also refuse to release shipments when they’re not presented with the Oman invoice document. If you found any difficulty in customs clearance then you can hire customs clearance service provider they can easily clear your customs. If you importing product in Oman then you can hire customs clearance service in Oman they are the professional in customs clearance and they have professional team to provide hassle free customs clearance services provider and they provide 24/7 service.