Below is a quick overview of customs and shipment requirements around the world that may cause delays to the delivery of your international consignments.
New Lebanese Customs Regulations
Please note Lebanese Customs have issued new regulations for the importation of goods. All consignments destined for Lebanon must include the following:
1) Original Printed Invoice
2) Detailed Goods Description (generic descriptions such as ‘parts’ or ‘samples’ are insufficient)
3) Harmonised Code
Penalties will apply to shipments which do not comply with the above requirements and charges will be payable by the origin sender. Non-compliant shipments include those with:
1) Un-manifested consignments
2) Incorrect goods descriptions
3) Incorrect declaration of weight, number of pieces and/or volume measurements
4) Incorrect invoice value (under value)
Detailed information is available here
Singapore - 1st December 2011
UPDATE ON REGULATION FOR THE IMPORT OF MEDICAL DEVICES ANNOUNCED BY THE HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY (HSA)
Effectively 1 January 2012, all classes of medical devices (Class A, B, C and D) will have import controls through TradeNet.
Following the implementation of TradeNet Control for the import of medical devices with risk classifications C and D (moderate and high risk) in 01 June 2011, the control will be extended to Class A and B (low and low-moderate risk) medical devices starting next year.
To help you minimise clearance delays and obtain successful customs declaration, here is a list of mandatory information an importer is required to produce for the TradeNet® declaration:
- Valid importer license number
- Valid device registration number obtained from the Singapore Medical
- Device Register (SMDR) / Transition List number / approval number HS Code obtained from the Medical Device Branch (MDB)
- Product code
- Quantity to be imported
- HS quantity unit of measurement
Upon producing the above information for declaration, customs approval is required from HSA. The turnaround time for a successful submission with complete and valid information via TradeNet is approximately 4 hours.
For information on how to perform TradeNet declarations for medical devices, please refer to the Industry briefing slides available online at: http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_products_regulation/medical_devices/tradenet.html
The Medical Device Branch (MDB) is the controlling agency for the import of medical devices in Singapore through TradeNet. If you have any enquiries regarding TradeNet Control on Medical Devices, please email to HSA_MDB_Tradenet@hsa.gov.sg or contact MDB at 6866 3560.
Norway - 30th November 2011
ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS
Please be advised that it is prohibited to send alcohol to companies in Norway unless they have an import license.
There is however allowed to send alcohol to a private person, as long as the receiver/buyer on the commercial invoice is a private person and his/hers social security number is stated on the invoice.
If the alcohol is a gift, it is important that not only 'gift' is stated on the commercial invoice but also what kind of alcohol (e.g. white wine - Chardonnay 6 x 0.75cl bottles). The receiver will be charged import and excise duties even if it is a gift.
If anyone wants to send alcohol to Norway please inform about these rules.
It is corporate policy that excise material should NEVER be routed through standard product provision. Special Services should be used for excise material because of the high risk and specific handling of goods of this nature.
GIFTS
Please be advised that gifts to private persons and companies in Norway are subject of normal customs clearance, meaning that the receiver will be charged import duties.
The only exception is gifts from a private person to a private person when the value of the goods are below NOK 1000,- and when the receivers social security number is stated on the invoice.
The commercial invoice must reflect this in order to avoid a normal customs clearance and import duties.
It is however important that 'gift' is stated on the commercial invoice in addition to a more detailed description of the goods.
Saudi Arabia - 21st November 2011
Herbs and medicines - SFDA Warns about Purchasing Drugs via the Internet
Saudi FDA warns the public from purchasing drugs, health and herbal products via the internet and not to be deceived by misleading promotions on some websites that sell drugs, health and herbal products of unknown origin and that are not registered by SFDA. Such drugs and products could be highly dangerous as their manufacturing conditions or pharmaceutical contents are unknown, besides, no quality assurance and efficacy measures exist. Moreover, the majority of such products are mixed with other falsified materials or do not contain effective material. Using such drugs and products may worsen patients' conditions and lead to death. SFDA emphasised in a statement to the media that such websites will be tracked through its inspectors and any entity marketing such products in the Kingdom will be closely monitored. SFDA further warns anyone who participates in promotion of these suspected drugs and products via the internet or mobile phones within the Kingdom will be subject to official investigation. However, shall not release any shipment containing any drugs, health or herbal product to the Kingdom via couriers unless prior approval is obtained from SFDA according to the conditions and requirements of import and clearance of drugs and medical products provided on SFDA website. For further information about the hazards of these drugs and products please visit SFDA website at: www.sfda.gov.sa
Albania - 03 November 2011
Customs
Please be informed that there are new custom rules regarding imports to Albania.
All shipments containing mobile phones, clothes, dental fillings, medicines and reagents, that have origin from NON-EU countries, must be accompanied by origin and quality certificate, otherwise custom clearance will not be possible.
Korea - 03 November 2011
Customs
Korea customs has a plan to review import data by system from next month ( 1st December 2011 ) when international transport companies transmit the data for Import shipments before flight arrival. If origin provides incorrect data ( vague descriptions or non-english descriptions ), the data will be removed by customs system and so customs clearance will be delayed.
Please ensure invoices have exact descriptions for customers and that all data is entered correctly into our systems so as to avoid shipments being delayed due to deleting of import data by the customs system.
Maldives - 28 October 2011
Customs penalty
Please be informed that Maldives customs have implemented a new law regarding import materials. As per this law, if any unmanifested shipments (courier or cargo) are sent to Maldives, customs will impose a fine of 10,000 MVR (700 USD according to current custom's exchange rate) on TNT-MV (Associate). The origins and transit gateways (presently SIN & CMB) are requested to make sure that all consignments sent to Maldives are manifested. If this is not followed then there would be delays in clearance in addition to the fines. The fine imposed will be charged to Origin depot.
Albania - 28 October 2011
Imports
Please be informed that there are some new custom rules regarding imports in Albania.
All shipments containing mobile phones, clothes, dental fillings, medicines and reagents, that have an origin of a NON-EU country, must be accompanied by origin and quality certificate, otherwise the custom clearance will not be possible.
South Africa - 20 October 2011
Importation of gifts to South Africa
Requirements for the Importation of gifts to South Africa
All gifts imported into South Africa need to comply with the following requirements :-
The gifts have to be sent from a private individual abroad to a private individual in South Africa. Any gifts sent from a company or an individual to a company would not qualify as a gift.
The invoice has to be Commerical only and in English, no proforma and hand-written invoices are allowed.
Vague invoice descriptions such as "GIFTS" are unacceptable and different commodities have to be listed separately with its respective values.
Yemen - 13 September 2011
Import
Please be advised that from today, there are two important changes in handling import consignments:
1) World Economic Formum (WEF) Door to Door (S87) service is temporarily suspended. World Economic Formum (WEF) consignments should be sent only as Door to Airport (S88) service (Master Airways Bill (MAWB) addressed directly to the customer)
2) ECONOMY EXPRESS (48N) service is restricted to per piece weight below 32 Kg's. Exceeding 32 Kg's/piece should be send as S88 Door to Airport service (Master Airways Bill MAWB addressed directly to the customer)
TNT Associate can't help if the above mentioned is not followed by origins.
China - 29th August 2011
Post code and town names in China
As a result of changes to some post codes and town names in China, we will update addresses in our shipping tools such as myTNT (including ExpressImport). These changes are planned starting 5 September, 2011.
For TNT customers using myTNT, no action is required, as we will update your address book automatically with the changes. TNT customers using ExpressShipper, ExpressManager will be offered a little tool to help you update your Chinese addresses in your address book. Any other TNT shipping tools, will be provided instructions to update addresses stored on local systems.
Serbia - 1 July 2011
Please note that the import of medicines into Serbia for personal use is forbidden, with immediate effect. Individuals are no longer permitted to import medicines or drugs shipments - only licensed importers are permitted.
Pakistan - 17th June 2011
New Customs Requirements
As per the new Customs Regulations in Pakistan, any non-document consignment must have an Invoice and copy of the AWB attached to the consignment. Failure to comply with these regulations will lead to clearance delays and penalties being levied on the consignment.
Singapore - 1st June 2011
Medical Devices Branch (Health Sciences Authority of Singapore)
New requirements with regards to medical devices importation are in place in Singapore, effective June 1, 2011:
- Medical devices with risk classification C and D will be impacted by the new requirements.
- Prior to importation of medical devices with risk classification C and D, importers license and relevant permits need to be approved by the local health authority.
- During import customs declaration, the below information is required:
1. Valid importers license's number
2. Valid device registration no/ transition list no/ approval no
3. HS Code
4. Product Code
5. Quantity to be imported
6. HS Quantity Unit of Measurement
For more information and documents requirements, refer to:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/publish/hsaportal/en/health_products_regulation/medical_devices/tradenet.html
For further clarification, please contact the Medical Devices Branch at +65-6866 3560 or hsa_mdb_tradenet@hsa.gov.sg
Myanmar - 23rd May 2011
Effective today, Monday the 23rd of May, 2011, TNT has suspended all trading to and from Myanmar.
This means that the Myanmar country website has been closed down and the country removed as a location option from TNT shipping tools, so that Myanmar can no longer be selected during a booking or quotation from TNT customer service.
Shipments made to Myanmar prior to the 23rd of May will be delivered until the 31st of May at the latest. Shipments received in Myanmar after the 31st of May will be returned to sender as undelivered.
Saudi Arabia - 16th May 2011
Customs - New rules have been implemented by the Saudi Arabian Customs Authorities which take effect from the 16th May 2011.
All brake parts must have an "asbestos free" certificate in addition to SASO certification. Samples of commodities arriving without the certificate will be transferred to the laboratory for testing which may cause a delay in customs clearance.
All shipments coming from Japan must be certified as "radioactive free".
If you require further clarification regarding these requirements please contact the Saudi Arabian customer service on 800 244 2222.
Indonesia - 13th May 2011
Indonesia, Hatta Airport
Implementation of Regulated Agent for Security Screening/X-ray at Cengkareng (CGK)/Soekarno - Hatta Airport.
Please be informed that the Director General of Aviation has issued a new regulation, with effect on 16 May, 2011, that all Import and Export Cargo and Post which will be transported/travel by air via the Cengkareng (CGK)/Soekarno Hatta Airport, will need to be screened/X-Rayed by the appointed Regulated Agent.
To avoid any delays due to long queues, the cut off times will be moved up a minimum of one (1) hour from the current schedule, and will be adjusted accordingly.
As a result of this new process, please expect delays of export shipments.
Vietnam - 13th May 2011
Vietnam - Import of Mobile phones, Cosmetics and Liquor
Effective from 1st June 2011 untilfurther notice, except for personal belongings, Mobile phones, Cosmetics and Liquor are prohibited to import into Vietnam by air and road services, included courier.
Any violation to this regulation will lead to customs fine and return freight charge which will have to be covered by the origin.
For more details you can read up the regulations on the restriction at the following website : http://www.moit.gov.vn
Lebanon - 12th May 2011
Japanese products to Lebanon
Please be informed that Lebanese Government had put in place a new clearance regulation on products originating from Japan and / or Made in Japan originating from anywhere in the world. They can be imported into Lebanon subject to the following process/ procedures/ paper works.
1. Radiation Control Certificate from Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission (www.cnrs.edu.lb) to detect Gamma Radiation permissible level.
2. Permit formality on this certificate by Ministry of Economy and Trade (www.economy.gov.lb)
3. Documentation will be then forwarded to Head of Lebanese Customs for permit approval
4. If not approved, re-export has to be done. TNT will incur re-export (customs formality and shipping) charges.
5. If approved, clearance process will resume accordingly.
6. Additional clearance days needed.
7. Additional cost that are involved will be charged to consignee accordingly
Myanmar - 6th May 2011
TNT will suspend trading to and from Myanmar effective as of Monday 23rd May, 2011.
This means that the Myanmar country website will be closed down and the country removed as a location option from TNT shipping tools, so that Myanmar can no longer be selected during a booking or quotation from TNT customer service.
Shipments made to Myanmar prior to the 23rd of May will be delivered until the 31st of May at the latest. Shipments received in Myanmar after the 31st of May will be returned to sender as undelivered.
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