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The General Authority of Customs (GAC), released 264,882 declarations in July, the Authority announced in its monthly newsletter. The figures in July sees a significant drop in declaration compared to June with 329,901.
In July, the Air Cargo Customs completed 240,627 declarations, while the Maritime Customs recorded 23,286 declarations across its ports. The GAC’s recorded 97% declarations released in an hour, dropping one point from June’s statistics. The Authority seized 2,900 pieces of Lyrica pills which was its largest seizure in July which recorded 212 seizure reports.
Meanwhile, India remained the top exporting country while China maintained its position as the leading importing country for the second straight month after knocking out the US in June.
The Department of Health Promotion and Communicable Diseases bagged the Best Government Agency in ‘time of release,’ with an average release time of 1.96 hours. The Health Promotion Department replaces the Environmental Protection Reserves and Wildlife Department, which has enjoyed a long run holding this position. The GAC also transferred 24,580 declarations to other government agencies.
In the newsletter, Ahmad Al Kuwari, the Head of the Customs Value Department, stated that a handbook (Manual of Customs Value, Questions and Answers) has been developed to improve the evaluation of goods imported for customs purposes and to improve the efficiency of the valuers at customs ports.
The Department facilitates and provides information on the value of goods and prices, as per the world stock exchange, and circulating this among the GAC’s departments.
The newsletter also highlighted the ‘Kafih’ campaign launched by the GAC’s Anti-Smuggling and Customs Security Department. The campaign aims to engage public participation in tackling smuggling and illegal commercial activities. The Authority has set up a hotline and dedicated email to address reports of this nature.
The GAC also urged travelers to declare funds of up to QR50,000 or its equivalent while crossing the country’s border. It noted that materials or items required to be listed include currency, negotiable bearer financial instruments, precious metals, and gems.
