KARACHI, Jan 14: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has increased customs duty from 4 per cent to 5 per cent on all goods and commodities from January 1, 2003.

According to a communique received by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) from Pakistani Consulate in Dubai, the President of UAE, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued a Federal Law No. 19, dated December 19, 2002.

The customs duty at the rate of 5 per cent of the value will be chargeable on all goods and commodities originating from sources outside Arab Gulf Cooperation Council on the basis of its delivery at the UAE port of destination.

This charge was being effected to implement agreement among GCC countries call for single customs tariff in these countries.

However, there will be no change in relation to tariff rate applicable on import of tobacco currently subject to duty at the rate of 100 per cent ad valorem. Goods listed for duty exemption as per Unified Customs Tariff agreed by the GCC countries, shall be exempted from customs duty.

Exemption of customs duty by virtue of united customs law shall apply to imports of: Diplomatic and Consular missions, international organizations and their heads and members; Military and Internal Security forces; personal effects and used household items, accompanied passenger baggage and gifts; charitable societies requirements and returned goods.

Industrial inputs required directly for manufacturing process, imported by industrial firms and approved by the concerned authority, shall be exempted from customs duty as agreed by the GCC Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee. —APP