Saturday 23 / November / 2024
Muscat: The Ministry of Transport on Monday issued Circular No. 14/2020 stipulating the application of the best global practices to shipping sector operations. The circular also incorporates systems of maritime agents and cargo brokers into the one-stop electronic window, 'Bayan.'
This comes in line with the Sultanate’s efforts aimed at enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and transparency in logistic services in a manner that secures effective, safe, rapid and smooth flow of goods in all types of marine outlets.
In the circular, the Ministry explained that, with effect from Monday (June 1, 2020), all maritime agents and cargo brokers have to provide their respective manifest (list of all loaded goods) electronically via Bayan customs system within 48 hours from vessels' arrival at the Sultanate’s ports.
"If the ship’s call is less than 48 hours, the manifest has to be provided immediately after leaving the last port of call before arriving at the final destination," as the circular indicates.
The new mandate also requires issuing a notification outlining customs fees to clients two days prior to the arrival of the vessel.
In addition, the circular requires agents and brokers to present lists of “all types of services in the country of origin” and “destination of comprehensive-container service and segmented containers”.
The Ministry reaffirmed that the new procedures will facilitate the Directorate General of Customs' tasks of document revision and risk analysis before the arrival of goods. Besides, the application of these procedures highlights the importance of promoting advanced customs clearing of goods before they arrive at the Sultanate’s ports. The procedures save time and cut down operational cost borne by stake takers of supply chain in the Sultanate.
