Customs Regulatory Updates – Middle East, Africa

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Documents, Packages
Effective: July 1, 2025

What you need to know

• The National Advance Information Center (NAIC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will implement a Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) program for all shipments originating from, destined to and transiting the United Arab Emirates.
• The purpose of PLACI is to raise the level of security and enhance safety through the submission, by the carrier, of security filings for all shipments originating from, destined to and transiting the United Arab Emirates at the “pre-loading” stage.
• The PLACI program allows the United Arab Emirates Authorities to screen shipments for potential security risks prior to loading at the airport of departure.
• Shipment screening will be completed against Harmonized System (HS) Code data, as well as the following waybill information:
  • Shipper Name
  • Shipper Address
  • Consignee name
  • Consignee address
  • Goods description
  • Goods weight
  • Number of Pieces
  • Waybill Number

Please note that the Go Live date for PLACI has been delayed and will now be on July 1, 2025, and not on April 1, 2025 as was originally planned.

Frequently Asked Questions on PLACI  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: January 1, 2025

What you need to know

The Royal Oman Police Directorate General of Customs is transitioning from an 8-digit Tariff Classification Code to a 12-digit Tariff Classification Code. When preparing shipments for Oman ensure you use valid 12-digit Tariff Classification Codes. Failure to provide these may result in shipment clearance delays.

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For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: January 1, 2025

What you need to know

The Qatar General Customs Authority (QGCA) is transitioning from an 8-digit Tariff Classification Code to a 12-digit Tariff Classification Code. When preparing shipments for Qatar ensure you use valid 12-digit Tariff Classification Codes. Failure to provide these may result in shipment clearance delays.

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For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: January 1, 2025

What you need to know

The Kuwait Customs Authority (KCA) is transitioning from an 8-digit Tariff Classification Code to a 12-digit Tariff Classification Code. When preparing shipments for Kuwait ensure you use valid 12-digit Tariff Classification Codes. Failure to provide these may result in shipment clearance delays.

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For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: January 1, 2024

Changes in Customs clearance regulations in Saudi Arabia have mandated new requirements for express shipments.

What you need to know

All Shipments:

• 15% VAT applies regardless of shipment value

B2B shipments:

• Air waybill address clarification:
  • Consignee name is considered the Importer of Record (IOR) otherwise,
  • If different, address to Importer of Record in care of the Consignee
• Subject to Customs Duties
• Importer of Record (IOR) Commercial Registration Number on the Commercial Invoice is required
• Commercial Invoice should include the Certificate of Origin
• Companies are required to register DHL Express as a nominal clearing agent

C2C and B2C shipments only:

• Shipments with values below SAR 1,000.00:
  • Cleared on a consolidated customs entry
• Shipments with values exceeding SAR 1,000.00:
  • Cleared on an individual customs entry
  • Require the Importer’s National Identification Number (10-digits) in the VAT number field

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: July 1, 2024

What you need to know

A permit is required for importing and exporting all agricultural and mining products.

Imports
All goods shipped to Botswana must be accompanied by an original commercial invoice from the supplier. Medicines, cosmetics, and supplements are subject to port health inspection to determine entry into the country.

Exports
All shipments must be accompanied by a complete commercial invoice.

• For Medicine: Doctor’s prescription must be provided

For mining products Export Permit must be provided  

For Agricultural products Permit/Phytosanitary Certificate must be provided  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: August 5, 2024

What you need to know

The Namibian Revenue Authority (NamRA) is enforcing the Customs and Excise Act, 20 of 1998.

For all B2B (Business to Business) and all B2C (Business to Consumer) shipments Imported to or Exported from Namibia:

• Will require a formal, company-generated invoice (i.e., Original Commercial Invoice including the Supplier's Company logo or letterhead, provided either in electronic or hardcopy format)
• Will be possible only if the formal, company-generated invoice is provided to DHL Express when creating the shipment using the DHL Shipping Applications.

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: June 1, 2024

What you need to know

Angolan Customs Authorities have changed import regulations for all shipments valued at 1,500,000 AOA or less

• A Formal Customs Declaration is required
• Duties and Taxes will be applied

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: May 23, 2024

What you need to know

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) launched the EcoLevy Program which requires pre-shipment inspection and payment of advance eco-levy fees for electronic communication equipment shipped from Rest of World to Tanzania.

Bureau Veritas PDF complete list of impacted goods    

For: Shippers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: April 14, 2024

What you need to know

The Oman Customs Authorities require all shipments to Oman, except Business-to-Business (B2B), include the Oman Importers Civil Identification Number as part of the import customs declaration.

Oman Customs    

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: January 1, 2024

Moroccan authorities require international business-to-business (B2B) shippers to provide the Moroccan importer’s tax identification number, also known as the Common Company Identifier (ICE), for shipments sent to Morocco.

What you need to know

International businesses must include the Moroccan business receiver’s tax number on customs invoices.

Morocco Customs Authorities   

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: October 16, 2023

Namibian Revenue Authority has implemented the Trade Verification System (TVS).

What you need to know

• Shippers must provide commercial invoice details as per the Namibian regulatory requirements.
• Advanced Payment shipments must include:
  • Exports – UCR Number (Unique Consignment Reference) on the commercial invoice
  • Exporters and Imports – Proof of Payment (POP) with shipping documents

Bank of Namibia/TVS  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: February 6, 2023

What you need to know

• The Namibia Revenue Authority (NamRA) requires a Tax Identification Number (TIN) for all shipments to and from Namibia
• Namibian citizens and residents must be registered with the NamRA to send and receive shipments
• Shippers who wish to pay the Namibian Import Customs Duties and Taxes (on behalf of the Receiver) must provide the TIN on the customs invoice
• Receivers who are responsible for the payment of the Namibian Import Customs Duties and Taxes must provide their TIN directly to DHL Express via email

NamRA  

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: January 1, 2023

For shipments to Kenya containing electrical machinery and equipment, the Kenya Anti-Counterfeit Authority requires an import permit (ACA Permit) which states the goods are legitimate (not counterfeit, fake, pirated, etc.).

What you need to know

The application for the ACA Permit can be submitted by either:

• The Kenyan importer
• DHL Express on behalf of the Kenyan importer for a service charge

To receive assistance filing for the ACA Permit, call 0711-017120 extension 100 or Email Us.

KenTrade   

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: February 1, 2023

United Arab Emirates (UAE) customs authorities require "Attestation" (declaration or proof) of any customs invoice that has a value of AED 10,000 or more.

What you need to know

• Business-to-Business shipments that include at least one customs invoice with a value of AED 10,000 or more must be submitted for attestation to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC)
• Either the Shipper or the Receiver may register with UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) and submit customs invoices for attestation
• Attestation is not required prior to shipment transport. Attestation can be completed either:
  • Before the shipment is given to DHL Express
  • Or, within 14 days after the shipment has been cleared for release by UAE customs

UAE MOFAIC    

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: July 1, 2022

Moroccan customs authorities have changed import regulations for ecommerce shipments (products purchased online from a retailer) valued at 125 USD or less.

What you need to know

• A formal customs declaration is required
• Duties and taxes will be applied

For: Shippers, Receivers
Shipping: Packages
Effective: February 1, 2022

What you need to know

Tanzanian Revenue Authorities have increased the de minimis value (value threshold under which no duties or taxes are levied) to 50 USD and removed formal entry requirement for De Minimis shipments.