RIYADH — From July 1, Saudi Customs will start enforcing the condition of approval of the agent or distributor when importing cars from countries that do not allow entry of car exports from the Kingdom except with the approval of their competent authority or the local agent. It stated that this requirement will not be applicable for the import of cars by individuals for their personal use. Saudi Customs clarified that the enforcement of the new condition is based on the Kingdom's decision announced on Sunday regarding the application of the principle of "reciprocal treatment" in line with the Kingdom's international obligations with regard to imports from countries that implement measures, procedures or restrictions on the Kingdom's exports that are not compatible with the international agreements concluded with them. According to the new procedures, approval of the agent or distributor registered in the commercial agencies licensed by the Ministry of Commerce is one of the basic requirements for importing cars in commercial quantities from countries that do not allow re-exports of cars from the Kingdom except with the approval of the competent authority or the local agent there. "In order to obtain approval, the customer is required to contact the agent or distributor registered in the commercial agencies and fill up the standard form, which is available for all authorized agents and distributors," the statement said. The General Authority for Foreign Trade said in a statement on Sunday that it had noted that a number of countries continue to apply a number of measures, conditions and procedures contrary to the provisions and rules of economic and trade international agreements. "Such measures and procedures do not provide fair competitiveness of cross trade with those countries. Not only that, they have negative repercussions on the ability of the competitiveness of the private sector of the Kingdom to enter those markets," the statement said adding that overseeing the Kingdom's commercial interests and preserving its gains from its membership in such agreements and organizations is of top priority to achieve sustainable economic development.
