Cargo
Customs Clearances
Import Clearance Procedure
According to the rules of “External Trade Law”, all import of goods listed in Table B of the Chief Executive's Approval No. 487/2016 must apply for an import license from the relevant authority and submit it to the customs along with the required documents on the day of picking up the goods.
Any imported goods other than Table B must submit the completed import declaration form on the day of picking up the goods along with the required documents to customs.
Goods subject to health quarantine and plant quarantine, quarantine measures to be taken by the IAM.
Importer can visit in person or appoint an agent with required document for clearance procedure.
(Detailed customs declaration and clearance procedures can be enquired from the SA. (By phone: (+853) 8989 4317, e-mail: info@customs.gov.mo or visiting www.customs.gov.mo)
Export Clearance Procedure
According to the rules of “External Trade Law”, all import of goods listed in Table A of the Chief Executive's Approval No. 487/2016 must apply for an export license from the relevant authority and submit it to the customs along with the required documents on the day of shipping the goods.
Any exported goods other than Table A must submit the completed export declaration form on the day of shipping the goods along with the required documents to customs.
Exporter can visit in person or appoint an agent with required document for clearance procedure.
(Detailed customs declaration and clearance procedures can be enquired from the SA. (By phone: (+853) 8989 4317, e-mail: info@customs.gov.mo or visiting www.customs.gov.mo)
Transshipment Clearance Procedure
Subject to the restriction of transshipment, the goods should not exceed 180 days from the day of arrive and depart at the port of Macau SAR. The customs may consider allowing an extension of another 180 days but only once. For the goods that require a transshipment license, the goods should not exceed 10 days from the day of arrive and depart at the port of Macau SAR.
The transshipment declaration form or license should state the condition of the goods and the location of goods stored must monitoring by customs. The goods shall not be opened or repackaged without customs permission.
The goods listed in Table of Exports (Table A) and Table of Imports (Table B), or require a special transshipment license; it only can be transshipped by the companies that are licensed to operate.
Goods subject to health quarantine and plant quarantine as specified in Annex III of the Chief Executive's Directive No. 487/2016, Quarantine measures to be taken by the IAM.
(Detailed customs declaration and clearance procedures can be enquired from the SA. (By phone: (+853) 8989 4317, e-mail: info@customs.gov.mo or visiting www.customs.gov.mo)
Documents Required
- License or declaration (please refer to Entry Forms), original must be used;
- Bill of lading / Airway Bill or other similar documents;
- Identification Document;
- Invoice, correspondence, letter of attorney, packing list;
- Other documents if any.
(Detailed customs declaration and clearance procedures can be enquired from the SA. (By phone: (+853) 8989 4317, e-mail: info@customs.gov.mo or visiting www.customs.gov.mo)
Competent Authorities for Issuing Licenses
Goods subject to licensing regime are published by the Table of Exports (Table A) and Table of Imports (Table B) or specific legislation. The Table of Exports and Table of Imports currently in force are contained in Annex II to Chief Executive’s Decision No. 487/2016. The import or export of goods listed on the Table of Imports/Table of Exports requires an import/export license issued by the competent authorities listed in Article 3A of the Regulation on External Trade Operations, or Administrative Regulation No. 28/2003 revised by Administrative Regulation No. 19/2016, prior to customs declaration.
For goods regulated by specific legislation mainly for the purpose of fulfilling obligations under international conventions and agreements, e.g. ozone-depleting substances, endangered wildlife animal and plant species, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, rough diamonds, etc., their import, export or transshipment shall be subject to a license issued by the competent authority(ies) referred to in the corresponding specific legislation.
At present, there are six license-issuing authorities in Macao:
License-issuing authority | Group | Category of goods |
Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) | A | Live animals, chilled and fresh meat, live fish, dairy products, etc. |
Health Bureau (SSM) | B | Medicines (proprietary Western medicine, proprietary Chinese medicine), reagents, infant milk powder, chemicals, disinfectants and pesticides, regulated medical devices, etc. |
Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) | C | Products subject to consumption tax (tobacco and spirituous liquor), petroleum products, CITES-listed endangered species and products thereof, rough diamonds, precursors of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, optical discs and manufacturing equipment thereof, etc. |
Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) | D | Regulated radio communication equipment |
Public Security Police Force (CPSP) | E | Arms and ammunition |
Transport Bureau (DSAT) | F | Motor vehicles |
Refer to Chief Executive’s Decision No. 487/2016 for detailed classification.
In addition, a license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. It should be applied for from the issuing entity prior to the import, export or transshipment of goods and shall be submitted to the SA for customs clearance at the time of the import, export or transshipment of the goods.
(Detailed customs declaration and clearance procedures can be enquired from the SA. (By phone: (+853) 8989 4317, e-mail: info@customs.gov.mo or visiting www.customs.gov.mo)