Amman: Customs Department Director General Ahmed Akalik said on Wednesday that 91 percent of tariff items enjoy full or partial exemptions under the state's policy of promoting investment and supporting production.
According to Jordan News Agency, the exemptions cover various items under international agreements, local decisions, or investment incentives, with the largest exemptions applying to raw materials. Akalik stated that only 9 percent of items are subject to duties ranging from 0 to 25 percent, depending on the nature of the commodity, and that domestic exports are fully exempt from duty.
Akalik mentioned that the department handled more than 950,000 customs declarations in 2024, necessitating new approaches to enhance efficiency and transparency in line with His Majesty King Abdullah's vision to develop government performance and empower the private sector.
During the Government Communication Forum on Jordanian customs achievements, Akalik shared that his department is undergoing significant change following amendments to the Customs Law to align with global best practices and meet digital requirements. The customs strategy, he noted, reflects the government's vision to stimulate production, with raw material exemptions designed to reduce costs and boost the competitiveness of national products.
These measures, Akalik highlighted, strike a balance between investment promotion and protection of the national economy, with duties on the remaining 9 percent considering the protection of local industries and a balance between various interests.
At the forum, Akalik explained that a key feature of the amendments to the Customs Law is a shift from traditional prior control to a post-clearance audit system. This change enables compliant traders to obtain immediate release of their goods, while the customs department retains the right to review documents later.
He also noted that the new legislation will unify field procedures under one qualified customs employee, who will handle inspection and sampling tasks on behalf of other authorities, thereby saving customers time and effort.