Below is a quick overview of customs and shipment requirements around the world that may cause delays to the delivery of your international consignment.
Dominican Republic - 26 January 2012
New customs system
A new customs system is in place in the Dominican Republic. It is now mandatory that all shipments arrive with complete and accurate information as follows:
The sender has to provide without exception:
- Full name / full company name.
- ID or Passport number / TAX ID - VAT ID (Company)
- Full address and phone.
- Commercial Invoice with full description of the product and correct/real commercial value.
Receiver details also required:
- Full name / full company name.
- ID or Passport number / TAX ID - VAT ID (Company)
- Full Address and phone
Without this information, the system can not process the data for clearance.
Qatar - 11 January 2012
Customs - importing
Qatar Customs have implemented a new procedure on importing Global Express (GE) consignments. The new procedure is applied to all GE consignments (with or without multiple pieces) arriving in to Qatar and weighing more than 99 Kg's:
- Upon arrival in Qatar the consignment will be transferred to the Freight Terminal & freight clearance is applied (consignments weighing below 99 Kg's are cleared in the Courier Terminal)
- Original printed invoice (on Company letterhead) is required and mandatory
- Original Certificate of Irigin (COO) is required and mandatory
- Invoice and COO should be attested by Chamber of Commerce in origin
Global Express consignments weighing more than 99Kg's should arrive in Qatar with the abovementioned paperwork. Failing to comply will lead to the consignment being held by Customs, storate charges and penalties - these will be charged back to origin.
Lebanon - January 2012
Customs - importing
Lebanese Customs have issued new regulations for importing. Consignments arriving in to Lebanon should follow requirements:
1) Original Printed Invoice
2) Detailed Goods Description (Vague description such as parts, samples aren't accepted)
3) Harmonised Code should be mentioned in the invoice
Penalties will be applied on the below cases (all these will be charged back to origin):
1) Un-manifested consignments
2) Incorrect goods descriptions
3) Incorrect declaration of weight, pieces and volume measurements
4) Incorrect invoice value (under value)
Detailed information is available in the following website - http://www.customs.gov.lb/customs/laws_regulations/detlaw_content.asp?id=98&c=8
Saudi Arabia - 1 January 2012
Customs processes inbound shipments
The following requirements are now required for Saudi customs clearance:
1. The actual consignee or final receiver is required to be identified as IOR ( Import Of Record)
2. Custom's declaration form must be accompanied by:
- A copy of the consignee's commercial registration. This commercial registration must support and match with the imported commodities.
- A copy of a letter of authorisation to the TNT customs broker in Saudi Arabia to clear the shipment on behalf of the importer
- HS code must be declared in front of each item in original commercial invoice
3. For personal imports, a copy of the national ID for Saudi and passport number or ID number for non-Saudi should be provided and attached to the customer's declaration form.
To ensure smooth and fast clearance of inbound shipments in to Saudi Arabia, it is very important to provide the neccessary documentation and information prior to arrival of the shipment to Saudi borders.
USA - 2011
USA Air Security Enhancement
The USA Transport Security Administration (TSA) has introduced enhanced aviation security regulations for all material including both documents and non-documents destined to, or transitioning through the United States.
Please be aware these additional security checks could cause delays with shipments.
For third party transport companies (those companies that send consignments on behalf of their own customers) the USA Tendering Statement will need to be included where applicable. Please contact TNT Customer Service on 0800 275 868 for more information.
Singapore - 1 December 2011
Update on regulation for the import of medical devices announced by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA)
Effectively 1 January 2012, all classes of medical devices (Class A, B, C and D) will have import controls through TradeNet.
Following the implementation of TradeNet Control for the import of medical devices with risk classifications C and D (moderate and high risk) in 01 June 2011, the control will be extended to Class A and B (low and low-moderate risk) medical devices starting next year.
To help you minimise clearance delays and obtain successful customs declaration, here is a list of mandatory information an importer is required to produce for the TradeNet® declaration:
- Valid importer license number
- Valid device registration number obtained from the Singapore Medical
Device Register (SMDR) / Transition List number / approval number HS Code obtained from the Medical Device Branch (MDB)
- Product code
- Quantity to be imported
- HS quantity unit of measurement
Upon producing the above information for declaration, customs approval is required from HSA. The turnaround time for a successful submission with complete and valid information via TradeNet is approximately 4 hours.
For information on how to perform TradeNet declarations for medical devices, please refer to the Industry briefing slides available online at: http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_products_regulation/medical_devices/tradenet.html
The Medical Device Branch (MDB) is the controlling agency for the import of medical devices in Singapore through TradeNet. If you have any enquiries regarding TradeNet Control on Medical Devices, please email to HSA_MDB_Tradenet@hsa.gov.sg or contact MDB at 6866 3560.
Norway - 30 November 2011
Alcohol Restrictions
Please be advised that it is prohibited to send alcohol to companies in Norway unless they have an import license.
There is however allowed to send alcohol to a private person, as long as the receiver/buyer on the commercial invoice is a private person and his/her social security number is stated on the invoice.
If the alcohol is a gift, it is important that not only 'gift' is stated on the commercial invoice but also what kind of alcohol (e.g. white wine - Chardonnay 6 x 0.75cl bottles). The receiver will be charged import and excise duties even if it is a gift.
Norway - 30 November 2011
Gifts
Please be advised that gifts to private persons and companies in Norway are subject of normal customs clearance, meaning that the receiver will be charged import duties.
The only exception is gifts from a private person to a private person when the value of the goods are below NOK 1000,- and when the receivers social security number is stated on the invoice.
The commercial invoice must reflect this in order to avoid a normal customs clearance and import duties.
It is however important that 'gift' is stated on the commercial invoice in addition to a more detailed description of the goods.
Albania - 3 November 2011
Customs
There are some new customs rules regarding imports to Albania.
All shipments containing mobile phones, clothes, dental fillings, medicines and reagents that have origin from NON-EU countries, must be accompanied by origin and quality certificate, otherwise customs clearance will not be possible.
Korea - 3 November 2011
Customs
Korean customs will review import data from 1 December 2011 where international transport companies transmit the data for Import shipments before flight arrival. If the origin provides incorrect data (vague descriptions or non-English descriptions), the data will be removed by the customs system and customs clearance will be delayed.
Please ensure invoices have exact descriptions for customers and that all data is entered correctly into our systems so as to avoid shipments being delayed.
South Africa - 20 October 2011
Importation of gifts to South Africa
All gifts imported into South Africa need to comply with the following requirements:
The gifts have to be sent from a private individual abroad to a private individual in South Africa. Any gifts sent from a company or an individual to a company would not qualify as a gift.
The invoice has to be Commerical only and in English, no proforma and hand-written invoices are allowed.
Vague invoice descriptions such as "GIFTS" are unacceptable and different commodities have to be listed separately with its respective values.
China - 29 August 2011
Post code and town names
As a result of changes to some post codes and town names in China, we will update addresses in our shipping tools such as myTNT (including ExpressImport). These changes are planned for 5 September 2011. For TNT customers using myTNT, no action is required as we will update your address book automatically with the changes.
TNT customers using ExpressShipper can download a tool to help update Chinese addresses in address books. The tool allows fast and easy updating of ExpressShipper Address Book records so that the data conforms to the new "Province-Town" combination that is required for all "Town" details in Chinese addresses. It works with any ExpressShipper version, whether single or multi user.
How to download
Right click on the link and choose "save link as". Your PC will now ask you where you want to download the file. Select your preferred location and click on 'save'. Once the file is downloaded you just have to run the file on a machine that has ExpressShipper installed by double clicking the file and the update tool will start.
Indonesia - 9 August 2011
Food Supplement, Cosmetics and Chemical Products
New requirements with regard to Food Supplements, Cosmetics and Chemical Products importation are in place by Indonesia Customs, effective from 1 August 2011:
- Required a full set of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or COA (Certificate of Analysis) must attached to the consignment and available at PACS.
- Should the documentation be unavailable in PACS, the system will be updated with the 'IX' status code.
- Should the documentation be unavailable in the physical form (hardcopy), the system will be updated with the 'OR' status code.
Failure to comply with these regulations will lead to clearance delays.
For more information on the regulations, please refer to the following Customs/goverment website:
http://www.beacukai.go.id/index.ikc?page=faq/kiriman-dan-paket.html
Pakistan - 8 August 2011
Clearance Delays
Please be advised that the Pakistan customs have been on strike since 5 August 2011. All customs activities have been affected especially import clearance.
Please expect delays in clearance and deliveries.
Croatia - 29 July 2011
New Computerised Transit System
Effective from Monday 1 August 2011, Croatian Customs will be implementing a New Computerised Transit System/NCTS with a forecasted adoption period of two weeks.
During this time there will be delays at customs.
Fiji - 26 July 2011
Customs Clearance
As per the Fiji customs regulation, it is stipulated under section 107(1)(C) that any consignment exported/imported on a commercial basis must be accompanied by a computer generated commercial invoice.
The document must have the following information:
- Invoice date
- Name and address of the consignor (shipper) and consignee (receiver)
- Description, quantity and origin of the goods
- Value of the consignment
- Reason for export
Hand written invoices for personal shipments to individuals is acceptable by Fiji Customs.
Botswana - 18 July 2011
Mandatory documentation requirements
All international material destined for Botswana must be accompanied with the following documentation:
- Air waybill - Fully completed with all relevant detail
- Suppliers invoice (no pro-forma invoice will be accepted)
The Supplier invoice must contain the following:
- Clear description of goods
- Correct value of goods (Under declared values will result in Customs penalties)
- Sender name and address
- Receiver name and address
- Freight amount must be on the invoice
Serbia - 1 July 2011
Please note that the import of medicines into Serbia for personal use is forbidden, with immediate effect. Individuals are no longer permitted to import medicines or drugs shipments - only licensed importers are permitted.
Pakistan - 17 June 2011
New Customs Requirements
As per the new Customs Regulations in Pakistan, any non-document consignment must have an invoice and copy of the AWB attached to the consignment. Failure to comply with these regulations will lead to clearance delays and penalties being levied on the consignment.
Singapore - 1 June 2011
Medical Devices Branch (Health Sciences Authority of Singapore)
New requirements with regards to medical devices importation are in place in Singapore, effective 1 June 2011:
- Medical devices with risk classification C and D will be impacted by the new requirements.
- Prior to importation of medical devices with risk classification C and D, importers license and relevant permits need to be approved by the local health authority.
- During import customs declaration, the below information is required:
- Valid importers license's number
- Valid device registration no/ transition list no/ approval no
- HS Code
- Product Code
- Quantity to be imported
- HS Quantity Unit of Measurement
For more information and documents requirements, refer to:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_products_regulation/medical_devices/tradenet.html
For further clarification, please contact the Medical Devices Branch at +65-6866 3560 or hsa_mdb_tradenet@hsa.gov.sg
Myanmar - 23 May 2011
Suspension of Trade
Effective today, Monday 23 May, 2011, TNT has suspended all trading to and from Myanmar.
This means that the Myanmar country website has been closed down and the country removed as a location option from TNT shipping tools, so that Myanmar can no longer be selected during a booking or quotation from TNT customer service.
Shipments made to Myanmar prior to 23 May will be delivered until 31 May at the latest. Shipments received in Myanmar after 31 May will be returned to sender as undelivered.
Vietnam - 13 May 2011
Import of Mobile Phones, Cosmetics and Liquor
Effective from 1 June 2011 until further notice, except for personal belongings, Mobile phones, cosmetics and liquor are prohibited to import into Vietnam by air and road services, including couriers.
Any violation to this regulation will lead to a customs fine and return freight charge which will have to be covered by the origin.
For more details on the restrictions visit: http://www.moit.gov.vn
Soloman Islands - 21 March 2011
Solomon Island Customs - Currencies
The associate in the Solomon Islands advises that Solomon Island Customs will formally only recognise the following currencies:
| Australian Dollar | AUD |
| European Euro | EUR |
| Fiji Dollar | FJD |
| Great Britain Pound | GBP |
| Hong Kong Dollar | HKD |
| Japanese Yen | JPY |
| New Zealand Dollar | NZD |
| Papua New Guinea Kina | PGK |
| Solomon Island Dollar | SBD |
| Singapore Dollar | SGD |
| Vanuatu Vatu | VUV |
| United States | USD |
Data or invoices that indicate a different currency will require the associate to have the Bank of Solomon Islands provide an official exchange rate to one of the above currencies (probably SBD) on their letterhead for each individual transaction.
The impact of this is
1) a delay and 2) and additional fee imposed by the Bank of the Solomon Islands. Please note that this fee will need to be billed to the origin country.
Dominican Republic - 10 March 2011
New Customs Regulation
Please be informed that a new Customs Regulation for Non Documents has been implemented in Dominican Republic. It is mandatory to provide the consignee Tax ID or passport number when submitting data to customs at manifest level.
Consignments arriving without consignee Tax ID will be held until the number is obtained to commence the clearance process. Delays may be expected for clearance and release of the consignments without Tax ID, so it is mandatory to provide a telephone number and contact details in system.
Australia - January 2011
Customers Intervention Low Value Goods
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) has recently increased intervention in the profiling and screening of low value goods. Shippers of such goods need to ensure correct customs declarations and values are provided to avoid customs delays.
Click here for a document from ACBPS to assist shippers in the correct valuation of consignments.