By Ibrahim Alawi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has emphasized that personal shipments are exempted from customs duties if the total value of purchases is amounting to less than SR1,000, including the value of the goods and shipping charges.

The authority stated that the standard rate of 15 percent of value added tax (VAT) will be imposed on all imports, and in the event of any violation of this, a report, along with attached proof for verification and testimony, will be submitted through the VAT application.

According to the authority, the process of shipment and customs clearance is the responsibility of the transport carrier. The customer must communicate with the carrier to complete the shipment clearance procedures. The carrier’s customs broker shall prepare customs declaration along with attached documents.

The authority explained that the carrier is obligated to provide the customer with a copy of the customs declaration that shows all duties and taxes have been imposed. The customer shall contact the carrier to obtain a copy of the customs declaration.

In the event of dissatisfaction with the service provided by the carrier or his refusal to provide the customer with a copy of the actual customs declaration, a complaint can be filed to the Communications and Information Technology Commission, which has the jurisdiction to take a decision on the matter, the authority added.