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GCC Customs Union to enforce unified procedures in 2015

Abu Dhabi: The GCC countries will start implementing the unified GCC customs procedures guide by the beginning of next year, in order to facilitate bilateral trade and strengthen the cooperation with the outside world.

The regional customs union will also start implementing the first phase of the custom duties automated direct transfer mechanism by the beginning of next year, depending on the readiness of each country.

“The GCC countries have achieved great accomplishments to address the pending issues within the framework of the GCC Customs Union during the transitional period at the end of this year,” said Khalid Ali Al Bustani, acting director general of the FCA, while speaking to media.

Al Bustani added that the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee, agreed on the implementation of the technical framework for the movement of goods mechanism between the GCC countries, by implementing the customs duties automated direct transfer between the GCC countries within a period not exceeding one month from the date of the consignment transfer, provided that the transfer is automated from the country of departure to the country of destination of the goods.

Al Bustani said that this mechanism will replace the existing clearing mechanism, whether manual or electronic, depending on the readiness of each of member country. The GCC countries completed the preparation of the GCC unified customs procedures guide, and the member states of the GCC Customs Union have agreed to implement it in early 2015, said Al Bustani.

Al Bustani also said that recently the Gulf delegation members praised the progress in the customs work and termed it as a model and a pride for all the GCC countries. The visiting delegation have recommended the UAE’s technical experience be shared with other GCC nations for a better risk management system.

The Authority has launched Smart Government mobile applications in the Apple and Android stores, under the name of FCA-UAE. FCA is currently working to launch the application in the Microsoft store (Windows Mobile), while the second phase includes the completion of smart phone services in 2015. The FCA applications on smart phones offer various information, procedural and interactive services so that the traders will be able to complete all customs transcations through his smart phone.

Al Bustani revealed the launching of the customs inquiries service through the application, as the first interactive services, allowing the businessmen to make any customs inquiries and to attach any documents relevant to the subject of inquiry through the smart phones, in order to get a response regarding the inquiry.

“The list of services covered customs clearing management between the GCC countries, providing information and statistical data, addressing the obstacles facing the trade, providing customs training, risk management systems and providing information bulletins,” added Al Bustani.

— haseeb@khaleejtimes.com