10 Key advantages and facilities for “Gulf Economic Operators” in “Customs”

The General Administration of Customs has revealed the list of benefits offered to the Gulf Authorized Economic Operator in GCC countries. The list includes 10 packages of approved facilities across all member states, covering procedural, security, financial, mutual recognition agreements, and other advantages.

The Economic Operator Program is built on the trust established between customs and economic operators in the supply chain who meet the required conditions. This trust leads to granting them various facilities and benefits in cross-border trade operations.

The program was developed in accordance with the World Customs Organization standards within the framework of the Security and Facilitation of Supply Chain Standards in International Trade (SAIF).

According to the latest instructions issued by the General Administration of Customs, a copy of which was obtained by Al-Anba, the list of benefits is as follows:

1. Simplified verification of documents related to customs clearance operations.
2. Reduced inspection based on risk analysis.
3. Special treatment through the passage of exports and imports through fast lanes.
4. Priority in inspection and acceleration of goods clearance operations.
5. The option to request a designated area for customs inspection and to transport goods directly to the warehouses of the authorized economic operator, in coordination with and approved by the customs authorities, or to other locations approved by the customs authorities for inspection and customs clearance.
6. Providing financial facilities, if any.
7. Providing additional facilities to economic operators through cooperation with the regulatory and border authorities.
8. Mutual recognition agreements signed by GCC countries with other nations offer benefits in those countries for the advantage of authorized economic operators in the GCC.
9. Access to training, workshops, and meetings organized by customs departments in GCC countries to raise awareness about the benefits, features, and membership conditions of the Gulf Authorized Economic Operator program.
10. Any other advantages agreed upon by the economic operator working team, whether as additions or updates. In a related matter, the General Administration of Customs has requested specialists to include a pledge not to dispose of the customs data attachments for shipments of imported chemicals at customs ports.

    The pledge is made at the request of the Public Environment Authority, which justifies the customs release of imported chemicals by requiring the goods to be kept in the company’s warehouses until the results of examinations by the authority’s laboratories are available. The authority has the right to take legal action if the company violates this pledge.