New improvements to the Pre-Arrival Customs Clearance System

As part of its efforts to implement international best practices, The General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs has launched new improvements to the pre-arrival clearance system and truck transit permits at Al Ghuwaifat border crossing through the “Request to Issue Truck Crossing Permit" service, which will facilitate the process of issuing the customs declaration before the arrival of transport trucks to the land border crossing, supporting the regulation of passage, enhancing fluidity, and contributing to reducing clearance and release times for goods to facilitate trade movement across the emirate.

The new improvements will take effect starting September 18, 2023, through the Ghuwaifat land border crossing as a first phase, where the mandatory preparation of customs declarations in advance will be applied by entering goods data and the necessary attachments for the clearance process, and issuing a “Truck Crossing Permit” before arriving at Al Ghuwaifat land border crossing.

The new improvements to the pre-arrival clearance system and truck Crossing permits at Al Ghuwaifat border crossing will require, in the case of exiting the country, issuing a loaded truck crossing permit, where the customs declaration number is entered, the Saudi clearance permit information “Fasah”, and specifying the arrival date to the corresponding border crossing to obtain the transit permit.

In the case of entering the country, a loaded truck transit permit will be automatically issued with the completed customs declaration, and before the truck departs the opposite crossing.

The system aims for advance preparedness to deal with clearance procedures for shipments before they arrive at the border crossing, as well as employing and analyzing the data entered in the truck movement permits system to explore ways to facilitate traders, clearing agents, and the business sector, especially with regard to clearance time, inspection, and transit times from the border crossing.

His Excellency Mubarak Matar Al Mansoori, Executive Director of Customs Operations Sector, explained that improving the pre-arrival clearance system and truck crossing permits at Al Ghuwaifat border crossing comes within the framework of Abu Dhabi Customs' ongoing efforts under the "Abu Dhabi Program for Effortless Customer Experience" to elevate the level of services and increase customs facilitations provided to customers and raise the level of trust between parties in the public and private sectors. The improvements also help organize the movement of goods and means of transport through border crossings, and prevent congestion by organizing truck schedules and aligning them with working hours at the country's border crossings and neighboring countries