Importing Goods into Oman from USA
If you’re bringing in goods into Oman from the United States of America, you may find the rules quite stringent. However, there is a way for you to get by shipping procedures minus the hassle. Just read through the guidelines below.
On diplomatic removal
As stringent as the rules may be, Oman does respect diplomatic rights of ambassadors and other representatives from other countries. Diplomatic representatives of the USA can enjoy duty-free importation of their goods as long as they can acquire a clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The package should also come with a full inventory and an authorization for the USA Embassy in Oman to deliver and clear the shipment on the diplomatic representative’s behalf. These goods, of course, cannot include illegal pharmaceutical products, fire arms, and illegal videos, audio cassettes and books.
Restricted goods
No matter what the shipper’s statute is, there are restricted goods which can’t come into Omar without thorough inspection from the customs authorities. These cover video and audio cassettes and books. These items will have to stay with the customs department for three weeks for censoring. If they’re found unsuitable, they will be destroyed and the consignee will be fined for sending them to Omar.
Household items and other personal effects
As long as they’re not declared “restricted” from Oman, household items and other personal effects should be easier to ship into the country from the USA. The shipment must come with a detailed inventory, the consignee’s passport and Omani Visa, and an authorization letter for a third party (if the shipment is arriving earlier than the consignee) so that s/he may deliver and clear the goods on the consignee’s behalf.
Generally, 5% duty is charged for items which are newer than 12 months. Used items which are 12 months old or older may be imported to Oman from the USA duty-free. Without an authorization letter, these shipments cannot be cleared unless the consignee him/herself has arrived in Oman to claim them.
On importing vehicles
If you’re planning to import vehicles into Oman, you need to secure an import license into the country first, make sure that the registration papers (from the country of origin) for the vehicles are complete, these documents are accompanied by the consignee’s passport copy, and if the vehicles are arriving before the consignee’s arrival, an authorization allowing a third party individual to clear and claim the vehicle on the consignee’s behalf.
Duties for imported vehicles may vary. There are no notes about duty-free importation of vehicles on the customs page of the Oman government. The temporary entry licenses run for three to six months. Six-month-entry licenses are granted to vehicles with international passage registers. Vehicles without international passage registers may stay in the country for three months before being re-exported to its country of origin.
The licenses are renewable as long as the consignee applies before the expiration of the current license and s/he can provide a copy of his/her working and/or study visa in Oman. Duties and taxes apply.
Similar documentation, permits and licenses are necessary for the importation of boats, industrial machinery, and similar vehicles. Industrial machines/vehicles may need special permits pertaining to the project where they’re needed and the safety of their use. If you would like to get more specific details about importing goods into Oman from the USA, visit the Customs page of the Republic of Oman. The information here is only a guideline.