AMMAN — Goods are
being delayed at border crossings as customs inspection procedures take their
toll on delivery schedules and costs mount, President of the
Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies Association Dhaifallah Abu Aqoulah told
Jordan News.
اضافة اعلان
Abu Aqoulah and
association officials met Wednesday with Jordan Customs and National Trade
Window officials, the latter of which aims to facilitate trade and reduce the cost
and time of releasing goods.
Problems and
obstacles facing the clearance and goods transport sector were raised,
especially clearance procedures at border crossings, in particular at the Aqaba
Customs Yard 4 at the Port of Aqaba.
Abu Aqoulah said
the association received many complaints due to delays at customs attributed to
frequent goods inspections, which can sometimes delay trucks by up to four
hours.
He demanded that
goods be inspected at customs centers closer to the end destination rather than
at crossing points.
Jordan News spoke
to Waseem Al-Mahdi, one of the traders facing difficulties transporting goods
to and from Jordan. In correspondence with the National Trade Window, it can
take up to 24 hour for them to respond, he complained, which Abu Aqoulah
attributed to staff working from home.
Furthermore, Yard
4 at the port only has “100 workers”, which the association head said was
insufficient. Bringing on additional inspectors alone will not solve the
problem, he said; working hours must be extended, too.
He said that the director-general
of Customs, Maj. Gen. Jalal Al-Qudah, promised to meet in Aqaba next week with
all parties concerned to solve problems and overcome obstacles.
Abu Aqoulah said that
the association will take a number of escalatory measures in the event their
demands are not dealt with seriously and immediately.
Despite attempts
by
Jordan News to contact Jordan Customs, they were not available for comment.
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