MOF issues a clarification on the goods’ entry at Al- Terhaap customs at Umm Qasr port

INA-  Baghdad 

The Ministry of Finance- MOF issued, on Friday, a clarification regarding the entry of goods by customs into Al- Terhaap Square at Umm Qasr port.

A statement from the Ministry received by the Iraqi News Agency(INA) said that "The Ministry reaffirms its emphasis on establishing clear working standards consistent with the Government program approved by the House of Representatives related to the modernization of the financial policy strategy, including customs performance, in addition to the program's approval of the need to move towards diversifying and maximizing the financial resources of the State outside of oil revenue".

The statement added that " The ministry has begun to adopt an integrated vision towards improving the reality of customs work like other developed countries, which is represented by the application of Customs automation according to the newly ASYCUDA system at the customs of Al- Terhaap Square, which includes Basra Gate Center and Umm Qasr North customs, followed by the opening of the system in both Umm Qasr South and central".

"The system was opened earlier at the air cargo customs at Baghdad International Airport and the dry port, in addition, work continues at an escalating pace to complete the system at both the Western Region Customs Center (Ramadi/Trebil/Qaim/Arar) as well as the customs centers in the central region "the statement continued .

According to the statement, the ministry stressed that "all incoming goods, shipments and materials are subject to smooth and simplified processing and auditing processes that shorten the time and effort in completing them, unlike previous procedures".

The statement pointed out that" in this regard, the Ministry would like to clarify the news received in some media centers about allowing the entry of a number of goods at the customs of Al- Terhaap Square at Umm Qasr port, as the permit to enter those shipments relates exclusively to goods and materials that have been audited and processed in accordance with the customs procedures that preceded the start of the recently applied electronic automation, as well as those that have been completed according to the electronic system " , indicating that "incoming shipments and materials will be entered before the date 6^th march, which is the date of the commitment of the intervening entities to enter their data into the system”.

The statement explained that" the Ministry is continuing to adopt modern methods and systems in accordance with international standards, including the electronic automation system in customs work currently applied as a first step to include all land, sea and air centers and ports ".