Business opportunities
The Opportunities Online website may be a useful addition to your information sources. The database established by Austrade aims to deliver international sales leads ('export opportunities'), including tenders, generated by our overseas network to Australian businesses.
Registering is simple and once this is done you will have the option of accessing a weekly newsletter featuring the most recent opportunities uploaded onto the system in industry sectors of interest to you. Another feature is the ability to view, and also print, the complete page of opportunity details.
For general inquiries concerning Austrade’s services, please contact Austrade Direct on 13 28 78.
Business etiquette
Please note: Bribery of foreign public officials is a crime. Australian individuals and companies can be prosecuted in Australia for bribing foreign officials when overseas. For more information, go to the Attorney General's Department on foreign bribery.
Tariffs and regulations
Import restrictions
Import licenses were eliminated in 1996. Prohibited items have been reduced from 64 to seven items that include:
- Pork and pork products
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Narcotics
- Some fruits and vegetable
- Weapons and explosives
- Rhinoceros horns
Tariff
Single-column tariff based on the GCC Nomenclature. Member of the Arab Co-operation Council. Duties are ad valorem assessed on the CIF value (Incoterms 1990):
- Raw materials - 5 per cent
- Semi-manufactured materials - 10 per cent
- Ready materials - 15 per cent
- Highest rate of duties - 25 per cent
Live animals, agricultural equipment, fertilisers, insecticides and medical equipment are exempt of duty.
Customs authority contact details:
Sana’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PO Box 195
Sana’a Republic of Yemen
Tel: +967 1 232 361~2
Fax: +967 1 232 412
Ministry of Supply and Trade
PO Box 1804, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen
Tel: +967 1 252 471/9
Fax: +967 1 251 570
Packing, marking and labelling
The production and expiry dates, in both Arabic and English, must be printed clearly on the packaging of all foodstuff or pharmaceutical products imported into Yemen.
GCC and International standards are followed.
Weights and measures
The metric system.
Insurance
Insurance must be effected through a Yemeni company. C&F (Incoterms 1990) prices should be quoted. Value for duty will continue to be levied on the CIF value (Incoterms 1990).
Methods of quoting and payment
Quotations in Australian dollars with US dollars or Pound Sterling equivalents, CIF or CIFC (Incoterms 1990).
Payment only by irrevocable letter of credit or cash in advance.
Must be opened within 15 days of foreign exchange allocation approval.
Public health requirements
Internationally accepted standards should be maintained. All imported livestock is examined upon arrival by the health authorities of the Republic of Yemen (see ‘Special certificates’).
Documentation
Required documentation for clearance
The following documents must be presented to customs officers on importation:
- Bill of lading
- Delivery order from the company
- Insurance certificate
- Purchase invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
Commercial invoice
No prescribed form and six copies are required. The invoice must indicate the usual details, including:
- Country of origin
- Name of manufacturer or producer
- Must bear the following declaration: We hereby guarantee that this is a true and correct invoice and that the goods referred to are of the origin, manufacture and production of ........... (country of origin)
- Must be approved by an authorised authority and legalised by an approved Arab embassy or consulate.
Bill of lading
No special requirements. Generally, freight charges should be pre-paid. Must be certified by an approved authority (see ‘Guidelines’, section 2.3) and legalised by an approved Arab embassy or consulate.
Certificate of origin
Required for all imports.
Must be certified by an approved authority and legalised by an approved Arab embassy or consulate.
Certificates for shipments containing foreign components must indicate the country of origin of the components and the foreign components’ percentages.
The manufacturer’s full name and address must be included.
Special certificates
Provision of a sanitary certificate with all imported livestock facilities clearance issued by the approved authority in the country of origin. In Australia this is usually the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry-Australia or the relevant state department of agriculture (see ‘Public health requirements’).
All plants and plant products require phytosanitary certificates issued by the approved authority in the country of origin.
Taxation
Excise taxes on industrial inputs and a production tax on local manufacturers have been instituted by the Yemen Government. |