What do customs clearance agents do?

A customs clearance agent, is an Omani national who has been appointed by the Oman Customs Authority to operate customs for all types of goods entering/leaving Oman.

Customs Clearance Agents have the authority to retain, seize or confiscate all goods and other articles that are subject to customs claims. They conduct physical inspections of all Omani and foreign imports, exports, transit goods as well as any other commodity which has been subject to a customs claim.

They have the ability to initiate investigations into all importers of goods and services in Oman. They are also responsible for the evaluation of Omani exports that are sent to overseas markets.

Customs Clearance Agents are responsible for all Omani exports, they have the power to refuse Omani produced goods and articles that do not comply with Oman's export regulations.

As of 2014 Oman Customs has a network of eight branches located in Sohar, Bukha, Salalah, Port Sultan Qaboos (Muscat), Seeb (Muscat), Nizwa, Salalah Airport Customs Office and Omani Free Zone Authority in Sohar.

Although Customs Clearance Agents can be found at any Oman Customs Branch, they are under the operational command of Oman Custom's operational control room based in Muscat Oman. Customs Clearance Agents are appointed by Oman Customs Authority and they undergo a rigorous screening process to ensure Oman's customs interests are protected. Customs clearance agents have the authority to stop any Omani or foreign vessel that is carrying Omani goods and other commodities, which may be subject of fraud, smuggling or a customs violation. They are responsible for conducting physical inspections of Omani and foreign vessels that are passing through Oman's territorial waters. Customs Clearance Agents have the authority to arrest anyone who is found to be in possession of counterfeit Omani currency or Omani goods, which were being smuggled into Oman. As customs clearance agents are appointed by Oman Customs Authority they must follow Oman's customs laws and regulations to ensure Oman's money is not being stolen or abused by criminals trying to illicitly obtain Omani currency.

Customs Clearance Agents are also subject to Oman Customs Authority policies, rules and regulations. Oman Customs Clearance agents can be found at any Oman Customs Branch in the Sultanate of Oman, however they do not have the authority to close Oman Ports and Coast Guard stations. Oman Customs Authority has strict appointment policies for Omani, expats and foreign nationals who are interested in serving as customs clearance agents. Oman Customs Authority refuses to appoint or renew an Omani (or foreign) nationality certificate for anyone who does not meet Oman's high standards of integrity and honesty. Oman Customs Authority do not appoint Omani or foreign nationals who are known to be a criminal, dishonest, corrupt or willing to violate Oman's customs laws and regulations. Oman Customs Clearance agents are expected to abide by Oman's laws, policies and regulations. Omani law enforcement authorities arrest any Omani national who is found to be in violation Oman's customs laws and regulations. Oman Customs Clearance agents are also subject to Omani law enforcement agencies, Oman Customs Authority has the authority remove or reject any Omani clearance agent who is found to be abusing Omani customs rules and regulations.

All Omani products that are exported must meet Oman's export standards, for example all of Oman's Omani manufactured products must have Oman Oman GCA (Goods Completion and Acknowledgement) certificates. Oman Customs Authority do not recognize any Omani produced goods that are lacking Oman Oman GCA certificates. As a result of this many exporters who do not comply with Oman custom laws and regulations are refused entry to Oman, these exporters are suspended from Oman Oman GCC free trade zone. Oman Customs Authority is responsible for collecting Omani custom duties and taxes, it does not have the authority to collect Omani customs duties outside the Sultanate of Oman. Oman Customs Authority can also deny entry into Oman, any Omani or foreign vessel which is carrying goods that are declared as a sample or Omani goods that are being sold with a tax exemption or Oman GCA certificate. Oman Customs Authority have the authority to request a sample of any Omani product that is entering Oman's territorial waters, if the exporter or importer does not comply then their Omani produced goods will be confiscated and destroyed as Oman has zero tolerance for counterfeit items including Omani currency. Those Omani exporters and importers who are found to be in possession of illicit products including Omani currency, counterfeit Omani goods or any other Oman sanctioned item will be punished by Oman Customs Authority with fines and jail time for repeat offenders.

Oman customs clearance agents have authority over the country's territorial waters for about 12 miles outside Oman's ports and coast guard station, which is why Oman economic zone laws are strictly enforced by Oman customs. Omani Customs Authority only recognizes properly documented Omani goods that meet Oman's export standards, for example all Omani manufactured products must have an Oman Oman GCA certificate. Failure to follow Oman customs clearance rules or regulations can result in Oman Oman GCA fines and Oman customs seizure of Omani goods.

Oman export clearance agents have the authority to deny entry into Oman of any Omani or foreign vessel that is carrying goods that are declared as sample or Omani goods that are being sold with a tax exemption certificate, if the exporter or importer does not comply he will be arrested. Oman Customs Authority has the authority to request a sample of any Omani product that is entering Oman's territorial waters, if the exporter or importer does not comply then their Omani produced goods will be confiscated and destroyed as Oman has zero tolerance for counterfeit items including Omani currency. Those Omani exporters or importers who are found to be in possession of illicit Omani goods including Omani currency, counterfeit Omani products will be punished by Oman customs authority with fines and jail time for repeat offenders.

Authorized Oman customs clearance agents may not abuse Oman customs laws or regulations, he is not authorized to change any Oman Customs Authority documents unless requested by an Oman customs official. Oman customs clearance representative are not allowed to modify Oman Oman GCA certificates, Oman customs entry forms or Oman Customs Authority certificates without authorization from an Oman customs official.
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