Republic of Somaliland|Ministry of Finance & Economic Development
Customs Service Charter and comprehensive guide to customs procedures
Somaliland's Customs laws require that importers pay customs duties, which fund a range of government programmes and community services, such as education, welfare, health, defence. We are implementing a modern customs system based on self declaration of goods. As part of this system we provide services to help you pay your duties.
The Ministry of Finance Development and its Customs Department operates on the fundamental principle that the trading community and travellers will act in accordance with the law when they are treated with respect and fairness and provided with all the information, advice, assistance and other services they need to comply with their obligations.
The purpose of this Charter is to outline the services Customs provides, inform the Department's clients of the quality of the service they can expect from their dealings with Customs, and what they, in return, can do to help the Department deliver on its commitments.
Our mission is to encourage and strengthen trade, the rule of law and increasing domestic revenues based on improved technical expertise and knowledge and adherence to international laws and conventions.
Our vision is the effective administration of customs services based on the principles of modernisation, diligence and efficiency as part of efforts to delivering professional customs services through technical expertise that is in line with global standards, revenue generation and the protection of the country's borders and society.
We will listen to your concerns, and be polite and respectful in dealing with you. We will accept what you tell us, unless we have reason to think you are not being honest.
We will seek to minimise the time taken to clear goods and provide advice, but will take care to ensure our advice is accurate. We will not give particular people or groups special treatment.
We will answer the enquiries you make at Customs offices, help you complete forms, provide help on our website and on social media, and provide reasons for decisions we made about your liability when requested.
If you are unhappy with the treatment you received, you can complain to the manager of the office or section concerned. If your concern cannot be resolved at that level, you may make a written complaint to the Ministry's Public Relations and Customer Care section.
Provide complete declarations and information when required to do so. Answer questions completely and honestly.
Listen to our requests and comply with them, avoid actions which obstruct our staff in performing their duties, and be polite and respectful in dealing with our staff.
Provide customs declarations that are accurate and sufficient for you to work out and verify your customs liabilities, and meet any other record keeping obligations that apply to you under the law.
If you respond to our enquiries and requests promptly and completely, this will help us to expedite processing of your goods.
Ensure that, when providing records, completing forms and working out your taxes and duties, that you understand the requirements and the information given is correct.
Clear goods for import – commercial at Berbera port
Goods declaration form covering all goods, Invoices for all goods, Supporting documentation
Registered time for first presentation Customs Management System (CMS) time for release
Clear goods for import – commercial at land boundaries
Goods declaration form covering all goods, Invoices for all goods, Supporting documentation
Registered time for first presentation CMS time for release
Clear goods for import – air cargo including tag bags
Simplified goods declaration form covering all goods, Invoices for all goods
Registered time for first presentation CMS time for release
