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UAE transfers custom duties to GCC states

ABU DHABI — The UAE Federal Customs Authority (FCA) transferred last week customs duties amounting to Dh169.2 million it collected on imported goods on behalf of other GCC nations who used the country as port of entry, revealed a senior customs official.

The GCC nations import their goods through UAE for being shipping and aviation hub for the region and beyond. The Federal Customs Authority (FCA) levies custom duties and other taxes, at its ports of entry, which are later transferred back to the respective countries.

"The total custom duties transferred from January 2003 up to the end of September 2006 as per GCC clearing system were in excess of Dh1.315 billion," said Mohammed bin Fahad Al Mehairi, director-general, FCA.

The imported goods that entered GCC states through the UAE customs check-posts from January 2003 up to end of September 2006 were valued at Dh27 billion. "The amounts due up to 2006 and part of 2007 have already been transferred. The remaining amounts are expected to be approved and transferred by the next meeting of the customs clearing committee, Al Mehairi added.

"The value of transit imports of GCC countries via the UAE underlines the vital role the UAE customs points play in increasing inter-GCC trade exchange. It further establishes the UAE pole position as a key trade gateway for the GCC to the international trade, said Ahmed Said Al Dhahiri, director of customs affairs dept.

A sum of Dh55.6 million was recently transferred to Oman. Amounts up to Dh285.8 million were transferred till 2006 to the Sultanate since the Customs Federation's launch.

Saudi Arabia being the largest GCC economy also got largest transfers with total transfers amounting to Dh537.6 million, including the recent Dh49.7 million, Al Dhahiri added.

Qatar came third with total transfers of Dh280.2 million, including Dh37.5 million last week.

A total of Dh148.5 million were transferred to Kuwait over the same period. Bahrain came last with total amounts of Dh7.9 million, including the Dh63 million transferred last week, Al Dhahiri concluded.