Importing Personal Effects into Oman: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Oman Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods

• Passport (clear copy) including the page where Oman visa is stamped.
• E-Visa/E-Residence Permit (clear copies).
• Inventory in English (fully detailed and clear copies). Customs does not accept "PBO" entries.
• Letter authorizing Destination Agent to register the owner in Oman Customs Efilling Called Bayan, to clear shipment.
• Electronic Original Bill of Lading/Airway Bill. In case of Express release Bill of Lading, copy of Bill of Lading is required.
• Client Oman mobile number (for Bayan).
• Residence Card copy front and back issued by ROP (ROYAL OMAN POLICE).
• Duty Exemption Certificate issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (only for diplomatic shipment).
• HS Codes for effects in shipment.

• Customer must hold a valid Oman visa - visa/residence permit is required for custom clearance.
• 100% inspection on all shipments.
• All Import shipment irrespective of Mode Sea, Air, Road must be palletised, any shipments arriving in Oman after 15 July by Road and 15 September by Sea and Air will risk being returned to origin.
• Shipper can arrange more than 1 shipment within 6 months of arrival.
• Personal effects are subject to be open for inspection by custom authorities.
• Normal customs clearance takes 6-7 working days for sea and 4-5 working days for air. Fridays and Saturdays Customs will remain closed.
• Customs and port authorities will allow 5 days of free storage for full container load shipments. It depends on the shipping line as most lines like MSC CMA Maersk provides only 3 demurrage free day. Best to buy minimum 10 days. Port and line calculate calendar days and even if ship arrives at 23:55 hrs, it will be considered that date of arrival.
• Books, literature, audio/video cassettes, records, CD's etc. are all detained by customs for screening and will be released
• to consignee only after approval by the Ministry of Information.

• Oman Customs has introduced an E-Clearing system called “BAYAN”.
• All documents are to be electronically submitted.
• As per this, all personal effects and cars shipments arriving in Oman must pass this system.
• The shipper has to get him/her registered at the customs; this can be done by him/her if in Oman or by their local agent online.
• Shipper can add very small amount of dry foodstuff if the items are in original packing with their expiry date clearly visible on the pack, the expiry date should be much beyond the date of arrival in Oman.
• The approximate time frames for Customs clearance are as follows:
• Se/full container loads (FCL): 6-7 business days;
• Sea/less-than-container loads (LCL): 7-9 business days;
• Air shipments: 4-5 business days.
• The approximate time frames for Customs clearance during Ramadan are as follows:
• Sea FCL: 8-9 business days;
• Sea LCL: 10-12 business days;
• Air shipments: 5-6 working days.
• Shipment consignee must be the owner of the goods.

Prohibited Items

• Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products:
• Liquors/ Wine/ Whisky is a strict NO.
• If found in shipment it can be imposed with heavy duties and penalties, customs will detain under refusal for release.
• Only Diplomatic shipments are allowed to add this under permission that the embassy handles directly with the Ministry and obtains letter from Ministry to import Liquor/Wine/Whisky.
• Pornographic literature, videos, films and pictures
• Including simple nudity of all kinds – nude pictures or paintings.
• Products of Israeli origin.
• Wireless and communication equipment, including walkie-talkie systems and remote cordless telephones, telescope.
• Political and religious literature
• Needs prior approval from the Ministry of Information.
• Drugs and narcotics.
• Medicine or prescriptions drugs are allowed in reasonable quantities but can be subject to analysis.
• Objects made of ivory or any endangered species.
• Political or religious literature or statues that might be deemed offensive to the Omani government or the Islamic faith.
• Explosives, firearms, ammunition, knives, swords, daggers, spears, etc.
• Even toy guns and decorative items of this nature are subject to confiscation.
• Military uniforms and equipment.
• Are not allowed until proper approval received from Ministry of Defence.
• Perishable foodstuff.
• E-Cigarettes.
• Drones.

• Books, pictures, records, films, tapes, slides, movies, videos, compact discs, computer software’s, …, are subject to censorship and confiscation (must be packed separately for easy access), a process which can take up to 3 weeks.
• If found unsuitable, such items will be destroyed and the consignee is liable to pay a fine.
• All prohibited articles detained by customs may be destroyed without the consignee's consent.

Wood Packaging

• Wood packaging (ISPM 15) – fumigation requirements:
• Export of any commodity packed in wood with thickness exceeding 6 mm will not be allowed for Export and Import unless they are treated by heat or fumigated by methyl bromide gas and bears the official recognized stamp by the Ministry or the authorized private companies.
• This requirement also applies to the imported goods to the Sultanate packed in the same wooden material, which shall not be allowed to enter the Sultanate without being similarly treated and bear the recognized official stamp.
• Therefore, for all export shipments which are packed in wood with thickness exceeding 6 mm should be heat treated or fumigated and packages are stamped as above. The necessary heat treatment/fumigation certificate should be attached to the Customs Bill of Export before processing.

• Please ensure all wooden packing / crate / lift vans must be heat treated with clear visible ISPM marking.
• Non-compliance will result in fines and penalties.

Exporting Personal Effects from Oman: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2024 · Download the Oman Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods – HHG/PE

• Passport (clear copy) including the page where Oman visa is stamped.
• Signed Bayan Authorization
• Residence Card copy front and back issued by ROP (ROYAL OMAN POLICE).

• 100% inspection on all shipments.
• Personal effects are subject to be open for inspection by custom authorities.
• Normal customs clearance for export takes 1-2 working days for sea and 1-2working days for air. Fridays and Saturdays Customs will remain closed.

• Oman Customs has introduced an E-Clearing system called “BAYAN”.
• All documents are to be electronically submitted.
• All personal effects and cars shipments for exports in Oman must pass this system.
• The shipper has to get him/her registered at the customs; this can be done by him/her if in Oman or by their local agent who approaches DG Customs at Custom house. The authorization has to be signed manually. DG Customs will not accept electronic signature.

Oman Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Oman Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Copy of passport including the page showing the Oman visa stamp
• Copy of Oman residence visa and Residence Card (front and back), issued by the Royal Oman Police
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL), or copy of B/L in the case of an Express Release or Sea Waybill; Air Waybill (AWB) for air shipments
• Fully detailed inventory in English (Customs does not accept "PBO" or similar generic entries -- all items must be individually described)
• Authorization letter from the consignee authorizing the destination agent to clear the shipment
• Client's Oman mobile number (required for BAYAN e-clearance system registration)
• Duty Exemption Certificate issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomatic shipments only)

Specific Information

Approximate customs clearance times:

A valid Oman residence visa is required for customs clearance. The consignee must be registered in the BAYAN e-customs system before the shipment arrives. This can be done by the consignee personally if present in Oman, or by the local destination agent through the Directorate General of Customs. The destination agent can provide full details and assist with registration.

Used household goods are duty-free if the items have been owned and used for a minimum of 6 months. New items within a shipment are subject to a 5% customs duty. All personal effects shipments are subject to 100% physical inspection by customs authorities.

Multiple shipments may be imported at any time; there is no restriction on the number of entries.

All wood crating, packing cases, and lift vans must be heat treated and bear a clearly visible ISPM 15 stamp. Wood packaging with timber thickness exceeding 6 mm that is not treated and stamped will not be admitted, and non-compliance can result in fines and penalties.

A small quantity of dry foodstuff may be included as part of removal goods, provided items are in original sealed packaging with expiry dates clearly visible and the expiry date is well beyond the arrival date. Perishable foodstuff is prohibited.

Books, films, audio/video materials, CDs, records, computer software, and similar media are detained by customs on arrival for censorship screening by the Ministry of Information. This process takes approximately 3 weeks. If material is found unsuitable, it will be destroyed and the consignee may be fined. Items should be packed separately and near the container doors for easy access. Any detained prohibited articles may be destroyed without the consignee's consent.

Sea FCL: 6-7 business days; Sea LCL: 7-9 business days; Air: 4-5 business days.

During Ramadan: Sea FCL: 8-9 business days; Sea LCL: 10-12 business days; Air: 5-6 working days.

Customs and port authorities allow 7 days free storage for FCL shipments (some shipping lines such as Maersk allow only 5 days), 15 days for LCL, and 3 days for air shipments. Storage charges apply after these periods.

Fridays and Saturdays are non-working days for Customs.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Alcoholic beverages (wine, spirits, beer, and any similar product). Strictly prohibited for all non-diplomatic shipments; if found, heavy duties and penalties apply and the shipment may be detained pending refusal of release. Diplomatic shipments may import alcohol only with prior written permission from the relevant Ministry and must be handled directly by the embassy.
• Narcotics and drugs (medicines in reasonable personal quantities are permitted with inspection)
• Pornographic literature, videos, films, pictures, and any nude imagery of any kind
• Products of Israeli origin
• Political or religious literature, statues, or imagery deemed offensive to the Omani government or the Islamic faith (requires prior approval from the Ministry of Information for restricted items)
• Explosives, firearms, ammunition, knives, swords, daggers, spears, and similar weapons, including toy guns and decorative items of this nature (subject to confiscation without exception)
• Military uniforms and equipment (prohibited unless prior approval is received from the Ministry of Defence)
• Wireless and communications equipment including walkie-talkie systems, remote or cordless telephones, and telescopes [PERMIT REQUIRED]
• Drones and remotely piloted aircraft
• E-cigarettes and vaping devices
• Perishable foodstuff
• Objects made of ivory or any endangered species [CITES]
• Aircraft and helicopters (without prior authorization)
• Pets younger than 4 months old

Oman is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The standard GCC external tariff is 5% on most goods. Alcohol is prohibited for all non-diplomatic shipments. There is no intra-GCC free movement equivalent for household goods import purposes; all shipments are subject to Omani customs processing.

Books, DVDs, videos, CDs, and digital media: All such items are subject to censorship clearance by the Ministry of Information upon arrival. Clearance takes approximately 3-4 weeks and may incur additional charges. Items deemed unsuitable may be confiscated and destroyed.

Medicines and prescription drugs: Permitted in reasonable quantities for personal use but subject to inspection and possible analysis. Quantities beyond personal use require prior authorization from the Ministry of Health.

Dry foodstuffs: Small quantities permitted as part of removal goods in original sealed packaging with a clearly visible, future-dated expiry. Perishable foodstuff is prohibited entirely.

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air, sea, and road shipments.

All shipments must pass through the BAYAN e-customs system. The consignee must be registered in BAYAN before the shipment arrives; the destination agent can assist with this process. Inventories must be fully detailed in English; generic entries such as "PBO" (packed by owner) are not accepted by Oman Customs and will delay clearance.

Load media items (books, CDs, DVDs, videos) and any restricted items near the container doors to facilitate customs access and censorship screening.

Do not include alcohol in any shipment. Even trace quantities will trigger penalties, detention, and potential refusal of the entire consignment.

Allow for extended clearance times during Ramadan (see Section 1 for specific timeframes). Free storage periods at the port are relatively short; coordinate arrival timing with the destination agent to avoid demurrage.

Insurance for vehicles must be arranged at least 24 hours before the vessel arrives in Muscat. The destination agent should be informed well in advance to coordinate.

For diplomatic shipments, a Duty Exemption Certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required and must be arranged before shipping.