Saudi Arabia to cut import custom fees from the 6th of October 2024
The Saudi Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has announced waiving the fees for all customs services for exports. It also reduced customs service fees for imports through a new mechanism for calculating import service fees, which involves a fee of 0.15 percent of the value of the incoming goods for customs declaration. The new fee structure will take effect on Oct. 6, 2024.
The decision regarding the Fee Rules on Customs Services was taken by the Board of Directors of ZATCA, which includes specifying the fees on customs services provided by ZATCA and the conditions for fulfilling them. The decision also stipulates a fee of SR15 for customs declaration processing services on individuals’ shipments arriving through online stores, provided that the value of these shipments does not exceed SR1,000.
ZATCA clarified that the customs services for exports for which the fees have been waived include customs declaration processing service, lead seal, land port loading services, X-ray inspection, customs data exchange, and sample analysis exchange at specialized laboratories. ZATCA added that previously the customs service fees for imports included a charge of SR100 for each container inspected by X-ray, an additional SR 100 for “information exchange” services, and SR20 for customs declaration processing services.
The new fee will be based on 0.15 percent of the value of the incoming goods, including insurance and shipping, with a maximum of SR 500 and a minimum of SR15 and a special cap of SR130 for shipments exempt from customs duties and taxes.
ZATCA has offered taxpayers and customers to address any inquiries via the unified 24/7 call center number (19993), or through its X Account (@Zatca_Care), or e-mail (info@zatca.gov.sa), or instant chatting through ZATCA’s website (zatca.gov.sa). ZATCA indicated that the waiver of customs service fees for exports will contribute to encouraging exporters and alleviating financial burdens, especially for SMEs, as well as enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of Saudi exports.
