Sultanate Of Oman

Cargo Restrictions:

In Oman, the importation of most cargo is generally unrestricted, provided the importer holds the necessary license for the specific goods. However, there are specific regulations and restrictions that must be adhered to:

1. Prohibited Items:
   • Items classified under IMO Class 7 are strictly prohibited from importation.

1. Alcoholic Products:
   • During Ramadan, customs authorities do not process documents for alcoholic products, leading to potential customs clearance challenges.

3. Class 1 Items:

1. • Prior approval from the relevant authorities is mandatory.
   • All manifest details must be submitted at least 10 days before the cargo’s arrival.
   • Consignees must arrange for direct delivery with a police escort immediately after the container is discharged.

4. Specific Requirements for Other Classes:

1. • Class 5.1: Accepted only on a direct delivery basis with arrangements made by the consignee.
   • Class 7: Not allowed.

Weight Regulations:

1. • Out-of-Gauge (OOG) imports have a maximum weight limit of 41 tons.
   • For containers, the maximum payload is determined by the container’s capacity.

The Import General Manifest (IGM) and cargo manifest must be submitted to customs and the port at least 24 hours (one working day) before the vessel’s arrival.

Late submissions or significant amendments to the manifest may incur penalties. The manifest is filed electronically with customs using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

1. Retention Period: Uncleared containers will be kept by port authorities for a period of 180 days. During this time, consignees will receive notices to clear their cargo.
2. Post-Retention Actions: After the 180-day period, any uncleared containers will be moved to an auction shed. The cargo will be de-stuffed, and the empty container will be returned to the line’s stack.
3. Consignee Notifications: Consignees will be served with notices throughout the retention period, urging them to clear their cargo to avoid further actions.