Customs regulations for your trip to Yemen

Customs regulations

Import regulations:

Free import by adults only of:

• 600 cigarettes or 60 cigars or 1 lb. of tobacco.
• 1 bottle of perfume or perfumed water or Eau de Cologne.
• Gifts of non-commercial character, not exceeding the value of YER 100,000. – per adult passenger.
• Gold ornaments (women passengers only) weighing up to 350 grams.

Valuable items of commercial character intended for re-export should be declared.

Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Passport
• Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB) (a bank endorsement is required for commercial shipments)
• Detailed inventory
• Work permit
• Letter of guarantee
• Tax card (commercial shipments)
• Import license (commercial shipments)
• Sales tax certificate (commercial shipments)
• Customs deal card (commercial shipments)
• Bank form 11 (commercial shipments)
• Invoice (bank endorsement is required) (commercial shipments)
• Receipt for expenses from bank (commercial shipments)
• Certificate of origin, legalized (commercial shipments)
• Radiation certificate (commercial shipments)

Specific Information

Diplomats, embassy personnel and persons with a bank letter of guarantee may import shipments duty free.

The letter of guarantee must cover duties, or a cash payment as determined by Customs is required.

Letter of guarantee shipments are 100% reimbursable when the goods are re-exported.

Commercial shipments are subject to duty payments, sales tax, and service fees.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Videotapes, cassettes, records and CDs (are subject to inspection)
• Printers and scanners (authorization by the Ministry of the Interior is required; the operation manual must accompany the item)
• Fax machines (authorization from the Ministry of Telecommunications is required)
• Books and paintings (are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Culture prior to clearance)
• Firearms (a special license is required)
• Food Products:
• Food items are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture prior to Customs clearance.
• Approval from the Ministry of Health and Atomic Energy is required for import.
• If the items are shipped for commercial purposes, the following must be identified on each carton:
  • Product name and expiration
  • Manufacturing date
  • Name of the owner of the goods

The application for a duties and taxes exemption may be obtained by an exemption clearing agent and it is issued by the Ministry of Finance.
The procedure is as follows:

1. Receive the shipment’s Original Bill of Lading, attached with Original Supporting Documents.

2. Complete the provided exemption forms.

There are two different sets of forms, depending on the type of import:

• The first set, which is for aid consignments. This is filled by the implementing partner and goes to Ministry of Planning and International. Cooperation for further processing (continue from step 3).
• The second set of forms, which is for office equipment and employee personal effects. This goes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a covering letter from the particular agency. Afterwards, it is sent to the custom office for the finalization of the procedures and is returned after approximately one week. Then the approval is sent to the seaport or airport and the goods are cleared.

3. From the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, the forms are sent to the ministry relevant to the type of goods and the project.

4. From the relevant ministry, the forms go to the Ministry of Finance. From here, it is the Minister who sends an exemption letter to the customs authority.

For a Health and Education projects the exemption clearance is processed through the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation. The total process takes approximately 1-2 week

• Tax and Duties exemption application form
• Airway bill / Bill of Lading
• Invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Fumigation Certificate
• Phytosanitary Certificate
• Radiation Certificate

Prohibited Items

• Alcohol
• Drugs and narcotics
• Pornographic materials
• Subversive literature
• Ink jet printers or workstations

Miscellaneous (Pets, Motors, and others.)

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Certificate of origin
• OBL / AWB
• Certificate of manufacturing (must show date of manufacture)
• Customs deal card (for projects and companies)

Specific Information

• Only vehicles less than 4 years old may be imported.
• Diplomats and persons guaranteed by a Yemen Ministry may import vehicles duty free; otherwise, Customs duties must be paid.
• Letter of guarantees are not accepted for vehicle imports.
• Vehicles with “trip tickets” can enter only on tourist basis and for not more than 3 months.
  • An extension may be applied for an additional 3 months.

Pets

Documents Required

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate
• Import permit from the Veterinary Office, Department of Agriculture, Yemen

Specific Information

• The import of birds (live or bird products) requires approval from the local authorities.
  • Contact the destination agent for specific information.