In September 2024, the General Authority of Customs (GAC) in Qatar successfully processed over 575,000 customs declarations through the country’s ports. This marked a significant increase of 138 percent compared to the same period last year. The majority of declarations were registered at airports, with 541,699 completed data, while sea and land ports accounted for 18,502 and 15,318 declarations respectively.
The GAC reported that 78.82 percent of the data was released within an hour, demonstrating the efficiency of their customs clearance process. A total of 22,972 declarations were processed in the custom ports and transferred to government entities, representing 4 percent of the total. Additionally, 2031 transactions were completed at the Customer Service Center during September.
China was identified as the top importing country, while India was recognized as the leading exporting country during September 2024. The GAC also recorded 447 seizures during the month, with the Ministry of Public Health (Ports Health and Food Control Department) standing out as the best government entity in terms of release time. The department managed to complete its processing within 6.10 hours, showcasing their efficiency in handling customs procedures.
The largest seizure made by the GAC in September was 4,300 grams of the narcotic substance shabu. The authority’s website reported a total of 2,749 users of Al Nadeeb, 420 seizure reports, and 1,122 transactions at the customer service center in October 2024. Through its efforts, the GAC has made significant strides in securing the entry of passengers and goods, facilitating international trade, and implementing various projects and programs to enhance customs operations.
Overall, the GAC’s commitment to improving customs processes and strengthening cooperation with governmental and non-governmental entities has contributed to their success in managing the influx of goods and passengers through Qatar’s ports. By streamlining customs procedures, enhancing technological capabilities, and focusing on collaboration, the GAC has been able to effectively handle a high volume of customs declarations while ensuring compliance with regulations and security measures.
In conclusion, the GAC’s achievements in September 2024 reflect their dedication to enhancing customs operations and supporting economic growth through efficient trade facilitation. With a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, the GAC is poised to further optimize customs clearance processes and expand their partnerships to enhance security and trade exchange in Qatar.
