GEN 1.4 ENTRY, TRANSIT AND DEPARTURE OF CARGO
1. CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING CARGO AND OTHER ARTICLES
1.1 All cargo imports are subject to customs formalities.
1.2 Transhipment of cargo from one flight to another flight, at the same airport, must be carried out under customs supervision.
1.3 All cargo exports are subject to customs formalities.
1.4 Customs procedures in force are in accordance with those laid down by the Customs Cooperation Council in Brussels (CCCN) and conform to the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC).
1.5 Detailed information regarding the documentation and formalities pertaining to the import, transhipment and export of cargo should be sought from the Director General of Customs, at the following address when application is made for the operation of the flight:
Postal Address: Directorate General of Customs
P. O. Box 205
MUSCAT
POSTAL CODE 113
Sultanate of Oman
Telefax: (968) 24712199
1.6 Notification
Paragraphs 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 are hereby notified for the purposes of the appropriate sections of the Customs Management Act of 1978.
2. AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
2.1 General
a) The formalities specified in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.7 inclusive are applicable to the importation of all animals and birds, live or dead, whether or not for slaughter, and all animals and bird products, fresh or frozen, including eggs and semen.
b) The formalities specified in paragraphs 2.8 to 2.11 inclusive are applicable to the importation, transit and exportation of all agricultural goods and materials including inter alia, seeds, seedlings and living plants including soil, cut flowers, fresh and dried vegetables, fruit and nuts, grain, flour, tobacco leaves and wood samples.
c) Detailed information regarding the documentation and formalities referred to should be sought from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, at the address given in GEN 1.1 paragraph 7.
2.2 Documentary requirements for Veterinary Quarantine
a) Import permit. An import permit shall be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, prior to shipment from the country of origin, for all live animals, birds and animal/bird products.
b) Veterinary health certificate. A specific original health certificate, in the format prescribed by the Disease of Animals Control Order 1977 and signed by a duly authorized veterinarian, shall accompany each import.
c) Rabies vaccination certificate. A valid certificate showing vaccination for Rabies should accompany each cat, dog or other specified mammal. This certificate is considered valid if it has been carried out not less than one month but no more than six months prior to the entry time of the animal.
d) Release permit. This is issued at the port of entry, subject to the documentation referred to in (a), (b) and (c) above and the examination referred to in 2.3 below being satisfactory, by the Veterinary Quarantine Officer responsible.
2.3 Examination
All imports shall be examined by a duly authorized Quarantine Officer of the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, on arrival at the port of entry.
2.4 Payment of fees
All fees due in respect of veterinary examination and/or certification shall be paid prior to the release of the import.
2.5 Ports of entry
Dogs and cats shall only be permitted entry through Muscat Intl Airport. All other animals, birds and products shall be permitted entry at Muscat Intl Airport and Salalah Airport.
2.6 Prohibition
In the event of non-compliance with these regulations imports shall be prohibited and may result in re-export, condemnation of the animal, etc.
2.7 Penalties
Violation of the regulations specified in paragraphs 2.2 to 2.6 inclusive shall result in a fine not exceeding OMR 1000 being imposed and, in respect of live animals and birds, may result in immediate euthanasia.
2.8 Documentary requirements for Plant Quarantine
a) Import permit. An import permit shall be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, prior to shipment from the country of origin, for date and coconut palms, citrus, banana and tobacco plants (N.B. the fruit of these plants are allowed without a permit), live insects, honey bees, spiders, nematodes, bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae.
b) Customs form. Required for endorsement with the results of the examination referred to in paragraph 2.9.
c) Phytosanitary certificate. Seeds and live plants shall be accompanied by an official certificate, issued by the country of origin, stating that the consignment is free from agricultural pests and diseases. In respect of live plants, the certificate shall specify the type of sterilization treatment applied, to the soil in which they are rooted, by the country of origin.
2.9 Examination
All consignments shall be examined, by a duly authorized Plant Quarantine Officer, to ensure that they are free from pests and diseases.
2.10 Prohibitions and restrictions
a) The import, transit and export of animal manures is prohibited.
b) The import of untreated or unsterilized natural soil is prohibited.
c) The import of treated or sterilized natural soil is permitted, only insofar as live plants are rooted in it, subject to satisfactory certification of the treatment referred to in paragraph 2.8 c) and to the proviso that further treatment is administered by a duly authorized Plant Quarantine Officer prior to release.
d) Imports found to be diseased or pest-infested shall either be returned to the country of origin, within one week from the date of arrival, or destroyed.
e) Plants and plant products shall not remain in transit for longer than one week, unless the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries directs otherwise.
2.11 Penalties
Violations of the regulations specified in paragraphs 2.8 to 2.10 inclusive shall result in a fine not exceeding OMR 1000.