GAC highlights entry, exit procedures of goods through Abu Samra border
The General Authority of Customs (GAC) has issued a statement highlighting the entry and exit procedures of goods through the Abu Samra border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the Authority said that several regulatory and precautionary controls pertaining to the movement of imported and transiting goods from the Salwa border port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Abu Samra border port in the State of Qatar will be implemented.
The procedures come after an earlier decision by the competent authorities to open the Abu Samra border port in Qatar and Salwa border in Saudi Arabia, and are based on the travel and return policy to and from Qatar. They have also been applied after consultation with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The procedures include the following:
First: Regulatory and precautionary controls and procedures related to commercial shipments at the Abu Samra border port:
1- Truck drivers coming from Salwa border port in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, must obtain a certificate authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Health, proving that they have been tested for COVID-19, at least 72 hours prior to the date of entry into Abu Samra port.
2- Drivers and trucks transporting goods to Qatar via Abu Samra are not permitted to enter the country, and the goods will be unloaded and re-loaded onto local trucks by the importer or his representative in the port, according to prior coordination with the port administration.
3- Trucks and drivers return to Salwa port in Saudi Arabia immediately after the completion of the unloading process at Abu Samra port.
4- All importers of goods through Abu Samra port are obligated to prepare local trucks suitable for transporting the goods that are received, and to notify Abu Samra port administration of the dates and numbers of the trucks in advance to facilitate the procedures for entering the port.
5- Customs procedures on imported goods are carried out at the port in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Law and its implementing regulations and the customs procedures guide. The customs declaration for the restricted goods is presented to the competent authority through the electronic customs clearance system (Alnadeeb), to take the appropriate decision regarding them.
6- Due to a prolonged shutdown at Abu Samra port, and the transfer of specialized laboratories to other locations within the State, samples of the goods will be taken for examination and analysis by the competent registration authorities in the country, and it will be released after the importer undertakes that the restricted goods won't be disposed until approval was given by the competent authority, except the goods of a dangerous nature, will be kept at the port until the results of the examination and laboratory analysis appear.
7- All exporters of goods through the Abu Samra port to the Salwa port should comply with the instructions issued by Saudi Customs before proceeding to export or re-export the goods, in order to avoid any delay or rejection of the goods upon arrival at the Salwa port.
8- Goods exported or re-exported from Qatar are transported by local trucks through Abu Samra port to the Salwa port, as determined by the Saudi authorities at Salwa port in this regard.
9- The controls and procedures described above apply to the shipment of transporting animals through Abu Samra port.
Second: the start date of the commercial movement through Abu Samra port:
1- The commercial cargo movement will start at Abu Samra port in accordance with the requirements and procedures described above, from Sunday, February 14, 2021.
2- It is expected that the scheduled maintenance work at Abu Samra port will start during the second quarter of 2021 for a period of approximately 14 months, with the continuation of passenger and commercial movement through the port in accordance with the requirements of the scheduled maintenance work.
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