The Saudi Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has announced that it will waive the fees for all customs services for exports and reduce customs service fees for imports. The new fee calculation mechanism will apply to imports, with a fee of 0.15 percent of the value of the incoming goods for customs declaration. This new structure will take effect on October 6, 2024, according to a statement by ZATCA.
New Fee Structure and Customs Services
The ZATCA Board of Directors decided on the new rules, specifying customs service fees and the conditions for fulfilling them. One of the notable changes is a SR15 fee for processing customs declarations on individuals' shipments from online stores, with shipment values under SR1,000.
Customs services for exports, which will no longer have fees, include:
- Customs declaration processing
- Lead seal
- Land port loading services
- X-ray inspection
- Customs data exchange
- Sample analysis exchange at specialized laboratories
Previous vs. New Import Customs Fees
Previously, importers were charged SR100 for each container inspected by X-ray, another SR100 for information exchange, and SR20 for customs declaration processing. The new mechanism introduces a 0.15 percent fee on the value of goods, capped at SR500, with a minimum fee of SR15.
Contact ZATCA for Inquiries
ZATCA invites the public to reach out for any inquiries via their 24/7 call center at 19993, @Zatca_Care on X, or via email at [email protected]. Instant chatting is also available through their website at zatca.gov.sa.
Impact on Exporters and Importers
The waiver of export customs service fees is expected to encourage exporters, reduce financial burdens, especially for SMEs, and enhance the competitiveness of Saudi exports. The revised import service fee mechanism will also help importers better predict costs, thus improving their financial planning and supporting trade facilitation objectives.
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and Logistics Goals
ZATCA reiterated its commitment to offering the best practices in customs services as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals to transform the Kingdom into a global logistics hub. The changes are designed to promote transparency, boost the confidence of importers and exporters, and support positive economic impacts across the logistics sector.
