New Customs Directive: Mandatory Validation for Trade Agreement Exemptions

On February 12, 2025, the General Directorate of Customs published Directive No. MH-DGA-DIR-0001-2025, issued on January 7, 2025, introducing key changes for customs procedures. This directive modifies the existing regulations by removing the last paragraph of Directive No. DIR-DGA-01-2021 and adding point vii), establishing a new requirement for the exemption of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) or International Trade Agreements during the physical or documentary review of the Single Customs Document (DUA). What changes with this directive?

• Mandatory validation: Before exempting an FTA or Trade Agreement, the customs officer must obtain prior approval from their immediate supervisor.
• Documentary record: The validation must be in writing and include email exchanges between the officer and their superior as supporting documentation.
• Formal justification: The exemption must be properly justified and documented in the case file.

This update introduces greater oversight and transparency, ensuring that decisions regarding the application of trade agreements are properly supervised and documented. For more information, contact us at [email protected]