In an introductory meeting held in the Asharqia Chamber
Saudi Customs gives companies six months to correct the customs data
The Undersecretary of the Saudi Customs Authority for Revenue Affairs Dr. Mazen bin Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil called on all companies to expedite applying for the Authority’s initiative to self-correct customs data that started from the beginning of January and continue until the end of next June, in order to avoid any penalties that may be issued in the event of non-initiative and the emergence of some irregularities in the payment of fees.
The head of the Logistics Committee of the Asharqia Chamber Rakan bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ataishan opened during the meeting organized by the Asharqia Chamber to introduce the initiative of the Saudi Customs Authority titled (Self-correction of customs data) on Wednesday (January 29/2020), where he stressed the importance of the initiative as he stressed that it includes many advantages and opportunities Importers can correct their customs data, facilitate their business, and enhance their levels of customs commitment, which is aimed at achieving stability and promoting growth, as we target it towards a new start in industry and export to all parts of the world.
Al-Zamil said that the self-correction program is an opportunity presented by the authority that allows importers to correct their customs data according to specific conditions and procedures, and importers apply through this initiative voluntarily to request the correction of customs data, and the payment of customs duties or taxes that were not previously met, for any reason such as The inaccuracy of the information provided in the customs data related to the distinctive elements of the goods (value, origin, type), or the presence of events subsequent to the date of organizing the customs data that have not been reported to the General Customs Authority.
He pointed out that in the event that a request for self-correction is made within the conditions and the specified time, the due fees can be paid in full, or in installments according to the state's revenue system, and the owner of the relationship will be away from any penalties, but if the owner of the company does not submit this request, he will not get this The incentive, especially since the authority uses all available tools and systems that help it to discover errors and manipulation of customs data, therefore there is a high possibility that the authority will discover these errors and issue notification checks on the data.
Al-Zamil added that the goal of the self-correction program is to enhance the principles of transparency, trust, and participation with the business sector and investors, to provide conditions that improve and enhance the level of customs commitment, and to facilitate the practice of businesses of companies and importers in a manner that enhances the achievement of stability and economic growth.
He mentioned that the required voluntary progress is available from the beginning of the current year 2020 and continues for a period of 6 months until the end of next June, as it is an opportunity for the owners of companies to correct customs data, especially that there were some mistakes that may have financial implications that threaten the stability of the financial position of the companies subject to auditing. He pointed out that the common mistakes in the customs data are numerous, including attaching commercial invoices to the customs data bearing a low value, and not declaring to the authority the value of some of the elements that must collect customs duties and taxes such as shipping freight and freight insurance, among others.
He pointed out that the penalties of the system differ according to the customs system according to the different acts committed. If, for example, smuggled goods are goods subject to high taxes and customs duties, the penalty is a fine not less than twice the tax and fees due, and not more than twice the goods and imprisonment for a period of not less than a month and It is more than a year or one of these two penalties. As for if the smuggled goods are tax-exempt, the penalty is not less than 10% of the value of the goods in addition to imprisonment not less than a month and not more than a year.
