Dubai Customs is offering an 80 percent discount on fines for customs cases and violations detected or committed before March 31, 2020, to alleviate the burden on businesses and help them navigate the challenges during COVID-19.

The decision applies to uncollected customs fines imposed by a judicial judgment as well as the customs fines that have been paid in installments to Dubai Customs, where reduction will apply to the remaining installments, which will be rescheduled, according to a statement from Dubai Customs. 

"The latest move will give a new impetus to the government’s stimulus package measures towards easing the impact of COVID-19 circumstances on the national economy and ensuring uninterrupted business continuity," said Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs.

The cases under execution at Dubai Courts will also benefit from the applicable fine reduction on the remaining payable amounts.

To avail of these fine reductions, businesses and individuals should first settle their customs cases and pay any charges due, including customs duties resulting from the case, if due, before December 31, 2021.

According to Musabih, the trade sector has already benefited from several key incentive measures, including a 20 percent refund of the customs duty paid for goods imported and sold locally in the UAE that are subject to the 5 percent standard customs duty rate, refund or cancellation of the AED 50,000 bank or cash guarantee for customs brokers and clearing companies, and exemption from berthing service fees and loading fees at Dubai Creek and Hamriyah Port on traditional wooden commercial vessels.

"The stimulus package also includes cancellation of bank guarantees required to be submitted before resolution of customs-related grievances, and cancellation of 25 percent down payment required for requesting instalment-based payment of government fees for obtaining and renewing licenses," he said.

(Writing by Seban Scaria; editing by Daniel Luiz)

seban.scaria@refinitiv.com

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