Dec 18,2023

DETERMINE YOUR RETURNS POLICY

Returns can quickly hit your profits. There are multiple reasons for returns, such as:

• Wrong item shipped
• Customer made a mistake
• Goods are damaged in transit

Be sure your returns policy is clearly stated on your website, and do all you can to limit the causes for product returns.

Key Import Regulations in the GCC Cross-Border Ecommerce Market

The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) is a political and economic agreement between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Businesses importing goods into the GCC from the USA and United Kingdom will be subject to tariffs, a tax levied on imports to the GCC.

Each country or union in the GCC has specific individual regulations. Generally speaking, though, a levy of 5% of the value of the goods applies to most products imported from countries outside of the GCC.

This duty rises to between 12% and 20% for goods that compete with those already in production or manufacture in the GCC.

Customs declarations must be ready for inspection at the customs entry point, with local invoices attached to verify the value and country of origin of the goods. If this sounds burdensome, it’s because very often, it is. It’s a good idea then, to secure the services of a shipping agent or freight forwarder to negotiate the minefield of rules, regulations, and paperwork for you.