4.5 Advantages of pre-clearance 4.5.1 To the trader
1. Turnaround time for customs clearance of goods is reduced
2. Reduces demurrage charges/ storage costs on goods
3. Gives trader flexibility and more time to prepare a correct
declaration
4. Use of copy/ fax documents allowed to make a declaration
without being penalized
4.5.2 To customs
1. Reduces unnecessary backlogs and delays in declaration
processing
2. Gives enough time to Customs to make decisions on whether to
inspect goods or not when they arrive.
3. Improves on efficiency and trade facilitation
4. Pre-clearance import trends can be monitored and this helps
streamline and update Risk Management criteria in the system.
4.6 Conditions for pre-clearance
A declarant or trader makes an application for pre-clearance
in the prescribed form stating the nature of goods and importer. The
responsible officer verifies if such goods qualify for pre-clearance as well as
the importer. Trader and declarant record /reputation is considered.
4.7 Type of goods that can be considered for
Pre-clearance
1. Perishable goods
2. Dangerous goods such as acids and explosives
3. Fragile goods such as glass
4. Goods of a capital nature or other urgent factory material
5. Relief goods for free distribution
6. Diplomatic goods
7. Hospital drugs
8. Agricultural inputs
9. Other goods which will be allowed at the express authority of
the Commissioner
4.8 Risk management
The Risk Management and Intelligence Unit in Compliance and
Enforcement Division from time to time add or remove other goods from the list
above based on the risks identified.
In the event that during the declaration process, a
pre-cleared declaration is selected for physical inspection, special focus is
done on such a declaration when the goods arrive. Spot check (physical
inspections) on low risk goods is done to verify if the risk level is correctly
set.
4.9 Cancellations and re-imbursements
A maximum of two weeks (14 calendar days) is allowed between
the submission of declarations and when the goods arrive. If that time expires,
the declaration is cancelled from the system.
4.10 Procedure for pre-clearance
4.10.1 Documents required
1. Application for pre-clearance
2. Invoices
3. Packing list (if applicable)
4. Bill of lading ( if applicable)
5. Freight statement
6. Certificate of analysis (if applicable)
7. Certificate of origin ( if applicable)
8. Import licenses and agricultural permits (if applicable)
4.11 Pre-clearance processing
Once approved, the declaration is prepared and submitted for
processing after all documents are stamped / endorsed FOR PRECLEARANCE by the
approving officer.
3.9.1 Examiners - Long room
Examiners always take note on the pre-clearance and the
endorsement when processing such declarations.
1. Query notification is completed if a declaration is in
error
2. An examination request is completed when an examiner feels
the goods should be inspected.
After documentary processing, an assessment notice is
generated and is subsequently paid and a release order generated. All the
documents are then sent to the pre-clearance desk awaiting arrival of goods.
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