Qatar is making it much simpler for businesses and importers to trade in the country, with accessible information and speedy transactions.
In recognition of International Customs Day on 26 January 2019, the General Authority of Customs (GAC) announced the launch of Al Nadeeb 2.
International custom bodies celebrated in 2019 with the slogan ‘Smart borders for seamless Trade, Travel and Transport’, emphasising the role of customs as a main focal point for communication and coordination among government agencies in ports and borders.
What is Al Nadeeb?
All goods being imported into Qatar are subject to customs clearance and control. By law, shipping agents must present a manifest to the customs authority at the border point.
Al Nadeeb is the online Customs Clearance Single Window for GAC, where registered users – approved trade brokers, importers and exporters, and others – may perform a number of other tasks online.
These may include:
• View, modify, activate and suspend users
• Access customs data and records
• Make duty payments
• Complete customs paperwork, including customs declarations and manifests
• View and modify company details
Al Nadeeb was launched in September 2013 to deliver better communication and integration with the trade community. It is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Inclusion Strategy for a fully e-government. The system has been lauded by the World Trade Organisation, who one year after its launch, noted that the average clearance time was already decreasing.
On average, goods are released by GAC in less than one hour for around 85% of unrestricted goods, and three hours for government bodies.
Real-time information allows users to track their shipments and to monitor costs and duties payable. Trade reports to the business community, ministries and government agencies using the system include data on import/export volumes, the amount of duties paid, payment channels and the most imported/exported goods categorised by the Harmonised System (HS) codes. All of this information is readily accessible online or via the app, available on the App Store and Google Play. Users can also choose to receive notifications via text message, fax or email.
A new phase
At the launch of Al Nadeeb 2, Chairman of the General Authority of Customs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal said that the second phase of Al Nadeeb was due to have been launched in 2018, however after further evaluation, the Authority reengineered the first phase of the project. He added that there will be a significant shift in the programme to enhance the movement of foreign trade between Qatar and other countries.
The new 2018–22 customs strategy was launched in December 2018. For this, GAC has adopted a results-based planning approach, as described by Al Jamal: ‘the strategic plan includes 14 projects and programmes related to the development of the internal environment of the Authority and the development of systems and procedures and mechanisms of action, including seven programmes which the Authority indirectly contributes in coordination with ministries and government agencies of the country.’
As well as the next phase of Al Nadeeb, GAC has also launched electronic shipping of imported air cargo. This has been unified with partners in air cargo customs through coordination with 53 major companies and courier companies who import around 80% of goods by air cargo in cooperation with Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport.
To ensure the quality of competence for customs officials, the four-year Bachelor of Border Management programme is implemented by the Authority for its employees in collaboration with the Community College of Qatar and the Institute of Customs and Tax Studies at Charles Sturt University in Australia. So far
40 employees of the Authority have joined the programme.
To date, Al Nadeeb system has proven its ability and effectiveness in completing more than 10 million customs declarations since its establishment in 2013, which facilitated the flow of goods to and from the State, as well as providing accurate statistics and studies for import and export operations.
GAC continues to launch incentives to facilitate easier import/export, such as the Green List, which allows for such things as priority in clearance checks, and the Suspended Duties initiative for high profile companies and investors.
Log in as a user for speedy customs clearance
Becoming a registered user is simple, with just a few steps to follow:
> Download and fill out the application form.
> Attach copies of these necessary documents:
• Commercial Registration
• Establishment ID
• Authorised Signatory ID
• Administrative Supervisor ID
• Customs Clearance License
• Commercial License
> Submit the application along with the necessary documents to the General Authority of Customs, and receive the customs code.
> Click ‘Login to Al Nadeeb’ at ecustoms.gov.qa using a smartcard or username for the Hukoomi portal (gov.qa) – if you do not have a user account, one will have to be set up in order to proceed further.
For more information, a user guide, and to register for a Customs Clearance Single Window, visit ecustoms.gov.qa.
Contact details for the General Authority of Customs: 24/7 hotline 136 or 4406 9933, [email protected], customs.gov.qa.
Author: Sarah Palmer
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