Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / telex release / air waybill (AWB)
• Detailed inventory
• Oman residence visa stamp (on the passport)

Specific Information

• Do not include alcohol in the shipment.
• Used household goods are duty-free if owned for a minimum of 6 months; Customs allows multiple entries regardless of air, sea road shipments. 
• The approximate time frames for Customs clearance are as follows:
  • Sea; full container loads (FCL)              5 – 7 business days
  • Sea; less-than-container loads (LCL)     7 – 9 business days
  • Air shipments                                       2 – 3 business days
• The approximate time frames for customs clearance during Ramadan are as follows:
  • Sea; full container loads  (FCL)             8 – 9 business days
  • Sea; less than container loads  (LCL)    9 – 10 business days
  • Air shipments                                       3 – 4 working days
• All wood crates must be heat treated with clear visible ISPM marking.
• Oman has now introduced an e-service called Bayan.
  • All owners of the goods need to register their names in Customs and get a unique ID that will be used by the clearance company to college DO and clear the effects.
  • Destination agents can provide elaborate details. 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original bill of lading
• Statistical report, if applicable
• Proof of Insurance

Specific Information

• While importing a new or used motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer, the owner of the goods must ensure the vehicle meets local standards, be left-hand drive, and not older than 7 years.
• All vehicles are subject to a minimum 5%.
• The owner of the goods’ agent must apply for permission from Ministry of Commerce for the import of the vehicle; once obtained, the owner of the goods must to obtain insurance at least 24 hours prior to vehicle arrival in Muscat.
  • These documents along with an authorization letter and a no objection certificate (NOC) from the employer must be filed with Customs.
• Once clearance is complete, Customs will issue a green form the owner of the goods will need to submit it with the Royal Oman Police for the registration of the vehicle.
• The writer’s office will not be involved with the vehicle’s registration process.
• For imports from a GCC country, vehicles are allowed duty-free entry if the vehicle is registered in the country of origin and is not older than 2 years prior to import.
  • A statistical report from Customs from the country of origin must show that duty has been paid on a previous shipment.
  • The original statistical report must be filed with Customs in Oman.
• Permission is not required by the Ministry of Commerce for vehicle imports from GCC countries. 

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate
• Import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Animal Health

Specific Information

• The import permit forms may be obtained from the Ministry through a local sponsor and must be submitted with a copy of the pet's rabies vaccination record and health certificate.
• Vaccination against rabies is required no less than one month and no more than six months before the travel date.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• DVDs, videos and CDs are subject to release after censorship clearance from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture; it takes approximately 3-4 weeks for the release and additional charges may apply. 

Prohibited Items

• Alcoholic beverages
• Firearms and ammunitions
• Swords or spears
• Animal hides, skins, and ivory products
• Drugs (medicine or prescription drugs are allowed in reasonable quantities and are subject to inspection / analysis)
• Political or religious literature or statues that might be deemed offensive to the Omani government or the Islamic faith
• Pornographic books, magazines, and films
• Products of Israeli origin or items on the Israeli blacklist
• Nude pictures or paintings
• Walkie-talkie systems / remote or cordless telephones
• Airplanes and helicopters

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/oman.html