The 32nd meeting of the customs procedures and information committee began Tuesday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo with the participation of the State of Qatar.

The State of Qatar was represented at the two-day meeting by a delegation from the General Authority of Customs (GAC).

The meeting will address updating all customs issues related to the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), the negotiations phase of the Arab Customs Union, as well as sharing member states’ comments on the Unified Guide of Advance Ruling, which will contribute to facilitating and simplifying procedures and requirements for customs clearance and the release of commodities in particular and facilitating trade between the GCC Member States and with the rest of the world in general.

The Unified Guide of Advance Rulings has been prepared to be consistent with the obligations of the GCC Member States under this agreement and guided by best international practices in this field.

The meeting will also discuss member states’ comments on the unified guide for the conditions and procedures for granting licenses and practicing the customs clearance profession in Arab countries, which regulates the relationship between customs administrations in member states and customs brokers to ensure border protection, swiftly help complete customs procedures for imported and exported goods, as well as preserve government interests by ensuring compliance with customs and other regulatory requirements and collecting duties and taxes.

The preparation for the unified guide for the conditions and procedures for granting licenses and practicing the customs clearance profession was guided by the best international practices, laws and legislation that regulate the practice of the customs clearance profession.

Source: Qatar News Agency