Abu Dhabi Customs, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, has launched the “Automation of E-Commerce Policy Procedures” project through the unified government services platform “Tamm”, which is scheduled to be completed before the end of this year, during the activities of GITEX Technology Week 2021.

“Automation of E-Commerce Policy Procedures” is expected to contribute to facilitating the practice of business by improving the procedures for the movement of trade for shipments and keeping pace with the requirements of the growing trend towards e-commerce, contributing to the increasing business volume through an advanced digital system capable of linking all customs systems following global best practices.

The launch of “Automation of E-Commerce Policy Procedures” came within the framework of Abu Dhabi Customs’ strategy for complete digital transformation in completing transactions and providing customs services through a unified digital platform that meets the requirements of all customers, including investors, traders, suppliers, and loyal investors.

The provisions of the Policy also apply to the exports of goods by companies from distribution centers in the local market to the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) countries and other countries of the world, in addition to exports of goods from the local market to distribution centers in the Free Zone or customs warehouses, as well as exports of goods from the centers of Distribution in the free zone or customs warehouses to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and world countries.

The E-Commerce Policy requires companies to fulfill the registration requirements, as companies wishing to engage in e-commerce activity must register and add the activity in the registration system at the Customs Licensing Department of the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs and add the activity in the trade license, while the licensed and registered logistics companies are allowed in the authorized department of companies to clear goods provided that their customers are registered in the Customs Licensing Department.

Also, companies wishing to obtain the privileges contained in this Policy must obtain a customs registration number, while e-commerce companies must establish distribution centers for goods intended for sale through their electronic platforms so that distribution center requirements are met and companies are required to provide dedicated and separated storage spaces for goods suspended from goods for which customs duties have already been performed in distribution centers.

The new e-commerce policy prohibits the entry of several goods into the distribution centers, which are “flammable goods except for fuels, in addition to radioactive materials, military weapons, ammunition and explosives of any kind”. The policy also prohibits the entry of goods that violate the regulations related to the protection of intellectual, commercial, industrial, literary, and artistic property.