Under the Belt and Road Initiative, the trade volume between China and Oman is increasing. As an importer or entrepreneur in Oman, understanding the process, costs, and related documents of importing goods from China can help you import goods from China to the greatest extent. This article will introduce this in detail.
Shipping from China to Oman
The transportation methods are mainly divided into sea and air. Sea transportation is the most common method because it can handle large quantities of goods and the cost is relatively low. Common sea routes usually depart from major ports in China (such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, etc.) and transport to Suha Port or Salalah Port in Oman. It usually takes 25-35 days,
Air transportation is suitable for small quantities or urgently needed goods, usually from international airports in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou) to Muscat International Airport in Oman. Although air transportation is fast, it is more expensive and suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements. It usually takes 4-7 days.
Cost of Shipping from China to Oman
Shipping costs from China to Oman are affected by many factors, including market conditions, routes, shipping companies, cargo types and transportation methods.
Sea Freight Costs from China to Oman
| POL (Port of Loading) | POD (Port of Discharge) | LCL (USD/m³) | 20ft container (20ft, USD) | 40ft container (40ft, USD) |
| Shenzhen Port | Suha Port | $105-$180/m³ | $1,800 – $2,200 | $2,210-$3,350 |
| Shanghai Port | Suha Port | $110-$190/m³ | $2,000 – $2,500 | $2,110-$3,530 |
| Ningbo Port | Suha Port | $102-$183/m³ | $1,950 – $2,550 | $2,160-$3,630 |
| Shenzhen Port | Salalah Port | $106-$192/m³ | $1,850 – $2,450 | $2,270-$3,550 |
| Shanghai Port | Salalah Port | $103-$187/m³ | $1,750 – $2,400 | $2,130-$3,680 |
| Ningbo Port | Salalah Port | $108-$193/m³ | $1,930 – $2,560 | $2,240-$3,660 |
Air Freight Costs from China to Oman
Air freight is usually more expensive, with an average cost of between $5 and $15 per kilogram. The final price depends on various factors such as the carrier, service level and package size.
Here are the shipping costs to other parts of the Middle East, hope it helps:
- Cost of Shipping 20FT and 40FT Containers from China to Israel
- Shipping Costs for 20ft And 40ft Containers from China to Iraq
- Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
- Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Qatar
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia
- Cost of 20ft and 40ft Container Shipping From China To Kuwait
- Shipping Costs for 20ft And 40ft Containers from China to UAE
Goods Mainly Imported from China
Oman imports a wide variety of goods from China, covering multiple industries. Here are some common categories of imported goods:
- Electronic products
- Machinery and equipment
- Textiles and clothing
- Building materials and hardware
- Furniture and household items
Goods Prohibited from Import from China
The Omani government has strict controls or bans on the import of some goods. Goods prohibited from import include:
- Dangerous goods: such as explosives and certain chemicals.
- Counterfeit products: Omani customs strictly cracks down on counterfeit and shoddy goods, especially in the fields of branded clothing, electronic products and medicines.
- Prohibited items: such as drugs and pornographic materials.
Benefits of importing from China
Wide range of products
China is the world’s largest manufacturing base, and almost all types of goods can be found in China, which provides Omani importers with a wide range of choices.
Cost advantage
China’s production costs are relatively low, and imported goods have price advantages, which helps Oman reduce procurement costs. And thus increase profit margins
Quality assurance
Many Chinese manufacturers have advanced production equipment and strict quality control systems, which can provide high-quality products
Customized services
Many Chinese suppliers provide OEM and ODM services, which means that importers can customize products according to their needs.
Importing from China to Oman
Finding suppliers
Choosing reliable Chinese suppliers is the key to successful importing. You can communicate directly with suppliers through platforms such as Alibaba or by going to China to attend exhibitions in person.
Signing a trade contract
Sign a contract with the supplier to clarify the terms such as product specifications, quantity, price, delivery time, etc.
Confirming the mode of transportation
Discuss and confirm the most suitable mode of transportation (sea or air) with the freight forwarder. Sea transportation is suitable for large quantities of goods, while air transportation is suitable for urgent goods.
Preparing customs clearance documents
In order to ensure the smooth entry of goods into Oman, importers need to prepare and submit the following documents:
- Commercial invoice: lists the details of the goods and their value.
- Packing list: lists the packaging details, including quantity, weight and dimensions.
- Bill of lading or airway bill: the main documents for the transportation of goods.
- Certificate of origin: proves that the goods come from China.
- Import license (if applicable): Oman may require an import license depending on the specific type of goods.
Pay customs duties and VAT
The customs duty rates in Oman vary depending on the type of goods, usually between 0%-5%. In addition, Oman has implemented a 5% Value Added Tax (VAT) since 2021, which importers need to pay.
Customs clearance
After the goods arrive at the port or airport in Oman, the importer needs to submit all customs clearance documents and complete the payment of customs duties and VAT
Goods release and collection
After customs release, the goods can be collected and subsequent operations can be carried out
Learn more: How to Import Goods from China to Saudi Arabia
How to Calculate Import Duties in Oman
Commodity classification (HS code)
Each imported commodity has a specific customs code, namely the HS code (Harmonized System Code). Oman Customs determines the tariff rate based on this code. Different categories of goods have different tariff rates, usually between 0%-5%.
Tariff rate
Tariffs are calculated by multiplying the CIF value of the goods by the applicable tariff rate. Here is the formula for calculating tariffs:
Tariff amount = CIF value × tariff rate
CIF value includes:
- Cost of goods: the actual cost of the goods themselves.
- Insurance costs): the cost of insurance that may be insured during transportation.
- Freight: the logistics cost of transporting from China to Oman.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
In addition to tariffs, Oman will also impose a value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods. Starting from 2021, Oman’s VAT standard is 5%, calculated based on the total amount of CIF value plus tariffs. The formula for calculating VAT is as follows:
VAT = (CIF value + tariff) × VAT rate
Importing from China to Oman is a multi-step process. Learn about shipping methods, commodity types, costs, and customs clearance documents in this article to make importing from China to Oman go smoothly.