Shipping From Canada
to Oman.

Documents Only

Oman accepts the following as document shipments sent from Canada:

• Airline tickets
• Annual reports and intercompany mail
• Blueprints and drawings
• Brochures and pamphlets
• Business cards
• Calendars
• Catalogues and price lists
• Charts and graphs
• Cheques
• Computer print-outs
• Diplomas
• Driver's Licence
• Examination papers
• Gift cards
• Invitations and greeting cards
• Labels
• Maps
• Passports
• Photographs
• Proposals and bids
• Visa applications

The following may be sent to Oman as a document shipment if they abide by the restriction shown.

Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US

Shipping Gifts

All gift shipments to Oman from Canada will incur duty. There are no exemptions.

Shipments from Individual-to-Individual

A gift shipped from an individual in Canada to an individual in Oman will incur duty. There is no value threshold below which there are no duty charges.

Shipments from Business-to-Business

All gift shipments, regardless of value, from a Canadian business to a business in Oman will be charged duty.

Shipments from Business-to-Individual

If a Canadian business makes a gift shipment to an individual in Oman, there will be a duty charge imposed on the package. There are no exemptions.

Gift Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
• List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
• Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.

Multiple Gifts in One Shipment

If your shipment contains more than one gift, ensure that each gift is wrapped and tagged separately.

Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US

Shipping Personal Effects

Your personal effects may be shipped to Oman from Canada exempt from duty providing:

• You are taking up residence in Oman for the first time
• Your personal effects and household goods are used
• The quantity of goods being imported are for your use only and are not in an amount that indicates a commercial shipment
• Any foodstuffs are dry and in their original sealed containers with a clearly marked expiry date

NOTE:

Materials such as CDs, books, literature, and audio and video cassettes will be stopped by customs to be screened.

Moving Temporarily

Students

There is no information at this time regarding students moving temporarily to Oman to study and shipping their personal effects.

Non-Students

Non-students moving temporarily to Oman from Canada because of work may ship their personal effects exempt from duty.

The conditions for a duty-free exemption are as follows:

• The amount of goods in the shipment is clearly for personal use, i.e. not a commercial quantity
• Household items and personal goods are used
• The owner of the goods is arriving as a first-time resident to Oman
• Foodstuffs in the shipment are dry, sealed, and marked with an expiry date
• The individual has a work contract for a minimum of 1 year

NOTE:

Materials such as CDs, books, literature, and audios and video cassettes will be inspected by customs.

Moving Permanently

Omani citizens returning to Oman from Canada to live permanently may ship their personal effects exempt from duty if they abide by the conditions below:

• Foodstuffs are to be in small quantities stored in their sealed original containers and labelled with a clear expiration date
• Household items and personal goods have been used
• The quantity of goods cannot be mistaken for a commercial shipment

NOTE:

Customs will hold and screen literature, books, audio and video cassettes, as well as CDs.

Personal Effects Checklist

• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
• A detailed description of each item is provided
• Expatriates must present documentation indicating a work contract in Oman with a minimum length of 1 year

Sources:
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf

Food, Chocolate, Candies

Shipments of food to Oman are allowed as long as they are for personal use and are in unopened commercial containers.

You May Ship

• Commercially prepared foods for personal use - unopened and in their original containers

Do Not Ship

• Perishable items
• Pork and pig products

Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist

• Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
• Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
• You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
• Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments

Sources:
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2016/SPS/SAU/16_5161_00_e.pdf

Samples

Samples are shipped overseas to promote products and equipment for the purpose of soliciting sales and contracts.

Commercial samples of products may enter Oman as a temporary import if they demonstrate the conditions below:

• They have no or little monetary value, i.e. they cannot be sold
• They are shipped exclusively for demonstration
• They are distributed at no cost to the recipient
• Because of their packaging, they are rendered unsuitable for sale
• They return to Canada within 6 months of their entry into Oman

Commercial Sample Checklist

• A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
• Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
• The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample

Sources:
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf
https://customs.gov.om/dgcportal/documents/20182/3ca94221-3ffa-4923-f7f9-5471faf96ca0
http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/~/media/2D53E23AA1A64EF68B9AC708C6281DC8.ashx

Advertising Material

Items shipped to advertise services and products may enter Oman from Canada as a temporary import.

To be eligible for duty-free entry, the items must:

• Remain in Oman a maximum of 6 months
• Be in a reasonable number as it pertains to the place and purpose of the display

Advertising and demonstration materials are those destined for venues such as:

• Meetings
• Trade fairs
• Exhibitions
• Symposia

Advertising Material Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
• A detailed description of each item is provided
• Be sure to abide by the rules mentioned above

Sources:
http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/~/media/2D53E23AA1A64EF68B9AC708C6281DC8.ashx
https://customs.gov.om/dgcportal/documents/20182/3ca94221-3ffa-4923-f7f9-5471faf96ca0

Repairs

Equipment shipped to Oman for repairs may enter the country as a temporary import and will be exempt from duty charges. However, if the equipment's value is increased because of the repair then duty will be charged on the amount of the increase to its value.

The condition for duty exemption is that the equipment leaves Oman for Canada within 6 months of its entry. (An extension may be granted but the total time allowed in Oman is 1 year.)

Items Under Warranty

Equipment and items under warranty that are repaired in Oman will be exempt from GST when they return to Canada.

Items No Longer Under Warranty

An item no longer under warranty that is shipped to Oman for repair will incur GST upon its return to Canada calculated on the value of the repair and on any parts required for the repair.

Sending Product for Repair to Oman

Oman allows the temporary entry of equipment for repair with exemption from duty charges. The product may stay in Oman a maximum of 6 months though it may be extended, but must not exceed 1 year in total.

Returning Repaired Product to Oman

Product repaired in Canada may re-enter Oman duty-free providing the value of the product has not been increased. In the event that the product's value increases due to the repair, duty will be incurred on this increased value.

Repair Checklist

• Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return(see sample)
• Include repair contract with shipment
• Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
• Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Oman or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
• A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment

Sources:
https://www.customs.gov.om/dgcportal/documents/20182/23717/1.2.docx/97221c58-1ade-0ca3-8f2d-31979d67b0d6
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf

Temporary Imports

Goods imported for a temporary stay in Oman can do so exempt from duty providing they stay no longer than 6 months in the country.

Items typically shipped as a temporary import include:

• Equipment and machinery for repair
• Goods required for a theatrical presentation or concert
• Instruments used for testing
• Commercial samples for display at a fair or similar exhibition

Qualifying for Duty & Tax Free Temporary Import

In order to import your goods duty and tax free into Oman, you can pick from Option 1 or 2 of the Temporary Import Methods listed below.

Each option has its pros and cons. Regardless, each of the following methods requires you to complete a commercial invoice (CI). More details below.

In addition to choosing option 1 or 2, the following conditions must also be met in order to qualify for a duty and VAT free exemption:

• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than 24 months in Oman

NOTE:

• If the above conditions are not followed, duties and taxes will be charged as though the goods have been imported permanently.
• Your Customs broker can clear goods of a temporary nature (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. typically CANNOT clear goods of temporary nature)

Temporary Imports Checklist

• Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
• The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
• Stay no longer than the period listed above
• Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
• Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
• Any above listed items not listed in this checklist

Sources:
https://soharportandfreezone.com/PDF/GCC%20custom%20Law_english.pdf
https://omanportal.gov.om/wps/wcm/connect/en/site/home/gov/gov1/gov5governmentorganizations/rop/tepimpogood
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf
https://customs.gov.om/dgcportal/documents/20182/3ca94221-3ffa-4923-f7f9-5471faf96ca0
http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/~/media/2D53E23AA1A64EF68B9AC708C6281DC8.ashx

Permanent/Sold Goods

Shipments of sold goods to an individual in Oman are allowed providing they are in a quantity that is clearly non-commercial.

Occasional Shipper

Shipments of sold goods to an individual in Oman are allowed providing they are in a quantity that is clearly non-commercial.

Regular Shipper

If you regularly ship sold goods to Oman, we recommend that you consult a licenced Omani customs broker.

Sources:
https://www.gcc-sg.org/en-us/CognitiveSources/DigitalLibrary/Lists/DigitalLibrary/Customs/1435652105.pdf