The Middle East mainly includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and other countries, where customs inspections are generally strict. Goods detention mostly occurs due to four major issues: documentation, certification, declaration and commodity compliance. Mastering the following core methods can avoid relevant risks.
Ensure authentic and consistent documents and prohibit underreporting or omission of information. Details on the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading must be fully consistent; the product name, quantity and value shall be truthfully filled in. Underreporting the value or falsely declaring the quantity is strictly forbidden, as an excessively low declared value may trigger intensive customs inspections.
Prepare mandatory certifications in full and do not ship goods without valid certificates. Saudi Arabia requires SABER/SASO certification, the UAE requires ECAS certification, and categories such as electronic appliances and toys also need GCC certification. The lack of relevant certifications is a very common cause of goods detention.
Strictly abide by the rules on embargoed and sensitive goods. Do not ship counterfeit goods, unlicensed branded products, religious contraband, dangerous goods, as well as sensitive items such as liquids and powders. For branded goods, formal authorization documents must be provided.
Declare the product name accurately and avoid vague descriptions such as "general merchandise" or "accessories"; declare the actual goods in detail.Choose formal customs clearance channels and entities, giving priority to customs brokers with local qualifications in the Middle East. Ensure the consignee information is authentic and avoid customs clearance in the name of an individual. For special goods such as battery-powered items and food, confirm the compliant channels with logistics providers in advance, conduct required inspections and labeling, and do not mix sensitive goods without permission.
Ontask Express focuses on the Saudi special line, providing customers with efficient and reliable Saudi cargo, with a focus on the Middle East region. With overseas warehouses in Jeddah and Riyadh, along with a self-managed Chinese delivery team, we empower Chinese products to go global and benefit all humanity!