Oman

According to the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI) (2012) which measures countries’ trade logistics efficiency, Oman is ranked 62nd out of 155. Oman performs lower than the averages of the high income group in all data measured, however only marginally with reference to customs. Oman performs better than the averages of the Middle East and North Africa region in all data measured and significantly better in terms of efficiency of the customs clearance process and in the quality of trade and transport related infrastructure. According to the World Bank Doing Business Report (2013), exporting one standard container of goods takes 10 days and costs USD745. Importing the same container of goods takes 9 days and costs USD 680. Oman’s performance is better than the regional average of 20 days and USD 1127 for export and 24 days and USD 1360 for import. The efficiency in Oman’s customs procedures has been boosted since the launch of the GCC ‘single port of entry’ principle in 2003 under which, items imported from other GCC states are only subject to customs duty at the first point of entry and all import documentation is standardized across GCC states. Although the World Bank (2013) finds that Oman has made no major reforms to facilitate trading across borders since 2009, the ease of importing/exporting has remained steady or marginally improved on specific indicators. (World Bank 2013).