Korea-Saudi Customs Chiefs Meeting... "Expectations for Non-Tariff Barrier Reduction"

On the 18th (local time), the Korea Customs Service announced that Commissioner Ko Gwang-hyo of the Korea Customs Service met with Suhail Abanmi, Commissioner of the Saudi Arabian Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to hold the "3rd Korea-Saudi Arabia Customs Commissioners' Meeting."

Koh Kwang-hyo, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service (second from the left), is holding the "3rd Korea-Saudi Arabia Customs Commissioners' Meeting" with the local Customs Commissioner in Saudi Arabia on the 18th. Photo by Korea Customs Service

The meeting was held for the first time in nine years since November 2014. During the meeting, the customs authorities of both countries signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) and discussed cooperation in capacity building for customs officers and establishing communication channels to resolve customs clearance difficulties.

The Korea Customs Service expects that with the signing of the AEO MRA, Korean AEO-certified exporters shipping to Saudi Arabia will be able to complete customs clearance procedures quickly and benefit from reduced inspection rates, thereby enhancing export competitiveness through procedural advantages.

Additionally, through training and education in customs administration areas such as risk management and customs clearance systems, as well as operating mutual customs expert exchange programs, the capabilities of customs officers in both countries will be improved. A consultative body for customs clearance difficulties will be newly established to promptly share and resolve issues faced by import and export companies during the customs clearance process.

Prior to the meeting, on the 17th, Commissioner Ko Gwang-hyo held a meeting with Korean companies operating in Saudi Arabia to listen to their customs clearance difficulties and suggestions, urging active utilization of the AEO MRA to enable Korean companies to enjoy customs benefits in Saudi Arabia in the future.

Following Saudi Arabia, on the 22nd, the Korea Customs Service plans to hold the "5th Korea-Uzbekistan Customs Commissioners' Meeting" with the Uzbekistan Customs Committee to discuss customs cooperation issues between the two countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.