Import, export operations start at Abu Samra border crossing
The Land Customs Department of the General Authority of Customs started yesterday morning its customs duties by opening the way for commercial exchange procedures between Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Import and export operations of goods and commercial shipments specified according to the conditions announced by the authority get underway following the decision issued on January 1, 2021 by the competent authorities to open Qatar’s Abu Samra border crossing and the Salwa border crossing of Saudi Arabia.
Based on the travel and return policy to and from Qatar in effect in light of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and after co-ordination with the relevant authorities at the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, it has been decided to apply a number of regulatory and precautionary controls and procedures regarding the movement of incoming and outgoing goods from the Salwa border to the Abu Samra border crossing.
The Director of the Land Customs Department, Murshid Shaheen al-Kuwari, said government agencies working at the crossing identified the mechanism to be followed according to the directives received by the permanent committee of Abu Samra port.
He explained that a large number of X-ray devices have been provided recently with the best international specifications.
The commercial freight movement started at the Abu Samra port according to specific requirements and procedures. Truck drivers coming from the Salwa border crossing must obtain a certificate attested by the Saudi Ministry of Health, confirming a negative coronavirus (Covid-19) test with validity period not less than 72 hours before the date of entry to the Abu Samra border crossing.
Drivers and trucks transporting goods to Qatar through the Abu Samra border crossing will not be permitted to enter the country. The goods they bring in will be unloaded and reloaded onto local trucks by the importer or his representative at the crossing.
All exporters of goods through the Abu Samra border crossing to the Salwa crossing are also bound by the instructions issued by Saudi Customs, before embarking on the export or re-export of goods in order to avoid any delay or rejection of the goods upon their arrival at the Salwa crossing, and the exported or re-exported goods from Qatar are transported by trucks through the Abu Samra crossing to the Salwa crossing, according to what is decided by the Saudi authorities at the Salwa port in this regard.