Oman
OM · OMN
As of: 7/28/2026
Transitland / Umschlag-Hub (Salalah, Duqm) am Golf von Oman und Arabischen Meer
Capital: Muscat
GCC (Golf-Kooperationsrat)SeeStrasseLuftImport VAT: 5 Prozent VAT (Standardsatz seit 16. April 2021, Oman Tax Authority). Einige Güter null oder befreit. Bemessung auf CIF-Wert plus Zoll.Customs: mittelRisk: mittel bis hochPharma/Cold Chain: mittelDangerous Goods: hochE-Commerce: mittel bis hoch
Overview
Oman (OM) sits at the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and acts as a transit country and transshipment hub on the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea — the ports of Salalah and Duqm lie outside the Strait of Hormuz. As a member of the GCC Customs Union, a common external tariff of mostly 5 percent applies to the CIF value; customs clearance runs electronically through the Bayan single window of ROP Customs, and import VAT is 5 percent. The key gateways are the ports of Salalah (a global transshipment hub), Sohar and Duqm (SEZAD) plus the airports of Muscat (MCT) and Salalah (SLL). By road, the Batinah corridor Muscat–Sohar–UAE and Route 31 to Salalah connect the country to the GCC network; a rail network is still at the planning stage. Main exports are crude oil, gas and petrochemicals; imports centre on machinery, vehicles and food, with China, India and the UAE as leading trade partners. Under the GCC-EFTA agreement, Swiss-origin goods qualify for preferential treatment.
Area309,500 km²
Population5,359,557
CurrencyOmani Rial (OMR)
Economic areaGCC (Golf-Kooperationsrat)
ContinentAsien
ReligionsIslam
ISO codeOM / OMN
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Royal Oman Police - Directorate General of Customs (ROP Customs)Import system
Elektronische Zollabwicklung über das Single-Window Bayan der ROP-Zollbehörde. GCC-Zollunion mit gemeinsamem Aussenzoll, meist 5 Prozent auf den CIF-Wert.
Export system
Ausfuhranmeldung ebenfalls über Bayan. Exporte sind grundsätzlich von der VAT befreit (Nullsatz). Freizonen Sohar, Salalah, Duqm und Al Mazunah sind zoll- und steuerbefreit.
Import VAT
- 5 Prozent VAT (Standardsatz seit 16. April 2021, Oman Tax Authority). Einige Güter null oder befreit. Bemessung auf CIF-Wert plus Zoll.
Customs complexitymittel
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Ursprungszeugnis
- Konnossement / Luftfrachtbrief
- Einfuhrlizenz (bei lizenzpflichtigen Gütern)
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Bayan-Ausfuhranmeldung
- Konnossement / Luftfrachtbrief
- Präferenznachweis (EUR.1 / Ursprungserklärung)
Origin proofs / FTA
GCC-Zollunion (zollfrei intra-GCC). GCC-EFTA-Freihandelsabkommen in Kraft: Schweizer Ursprungswaren sind mit Ursprungsnachweis präferenzberechtigt. Zusätzlich US-Oman-FTA und Grosse Arabische Freihandelszone (GAFTA).
Restricted & prohibited goods
Verboten: Waffen, Sprengstoff, Drogen, Alkohol und Tabak (nur per Lizenz/diplomatisch), Pornografie, Waren israelischen Ursprungs. Lizenzpflichtig: Medikamente, Pflanzen/Tiere, Funkgeräte und Drohnen.
Export controls & sanctions
Keine umfassenden UN- oder EU-Sanktionen gegen Oman. Oman wendet GCC-Einfuhrverbote an (u.a. Waren israelischen Ursprungs); Waffen und Dual-Use-Güter sind genehmigungspflichtig.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Asia) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Asia. Product requirements, certificates, and clearance processes can vary significantly by destination.
Documents (typical)
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Air
mediumSea
highRoad
highRail
n/aInland Waterway
n/aCargo airports
- Muscat International Airport (MCT)
- Salalah Airport (SLL)
Seaports / access ports
- Port of Salalah
- Hafen Sohar
- Hafen Duqm (SEZAD)
- Sultan Qaboos Port Muscat (Tourismus)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Batinah-Korridor Maskat-Sohar-VAE
- Maskat-Salalah (Route 31)
- GCC-Strassennetz nach Saudi-Arabien und VAE
Rail corridors
- Oman Rail / GCC-Bahnnetz in Planung (noch kein Betrieb)
Top trade lanes
- Oman-China
- Oman-Indien
- Oman-VAE
- Oman-Japan/Korea
- Salalah-Transshipment Asien-Europa
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskmittel bis hoch
Customs delay riskniedrig bis mittel
Port congestion riskhoch
Risk notes
Politisch stabil. Salalah und Duqm liegen am Arabischen Meer ausserhalb der Strasse von Hormuz - ein Vorteil bei Hormuz-Risiken, aktuell aber Umleitungs-Kongestion und Schiffsangriffe vor der omanischen Küste (Hormuz-Krise 2026). Regionale Spannungen am Golf sind zu beachten.
Seasonal & weather risks
Extreme Sommerhitze; Khareef-Monsun in Dhofar/Salalah von Juni bis September; gelegentlich Wirbelstürme aus dem Arabischen Meer (z.B. Shaheen 2021).
Current logistics notes
Hormuz-Krise: Salalah, Sohar und Duqm sind als Grosshäfen ausserhalb von Hormuz und Bab-el-Mandeb zentrale Umleitungs-Hubs — Kongestion inzwischen gravierend: Container-Verweildauer in Sohar von unter 10 auf über 30 Tage gestiegen, in Salalah rund verdreifacht (Engpass liegt an Land, nicht auf See). Salalah gilt neben Jeddah als am besten erreichbarer Nahost-Hafen für Kap-Umleitungen. Seit 6.7.2026 mehrere Schiffsangriffe entlang der omanischen Küste. (Stand 2026-07-28)
As of: 2026-07-28
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
As of: Jul 25, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 2026 | Sultan's Accession Day | National | |||
| Nov 20, 2026 | National Day (Day 1) | National | |||
| Nov 21, 2026 | National Day (Day 2) | National |
Sultan's Accession Day
Jan 11, 2026
Customs closed
National Day (Day 1)
Nov 20, 2026
Customs closed
National Day (Day 2)
Nov 21, 2026
Customs closed
Sources: Oman Information Center (omaninfo.om), Official Holidays · Oman Information Center (omaninfo.om); Royal Decree 15/2025 (Verlegung auf 20./21.11.) · Oman Information Center (omaninfo.om); Royal Decree 15/2025
Airports in this country
Duqm International Airport
DQM · Duqm
Muscat International Airport
MCT · Muscat
Khasab Airport
KHS · Khasab
Mussanah Airport
MNH · Al Masna'ah
RAFO Masirah
MSH · Masirah
Ras al Hadd Airport
Ras ar Ruays
Salalah Airport
SLL · Salalah
Thumrait Air Base
TTH · Thumrait
Adam Airport
AOM · Adam
Bahja Airport
BJQ · Bahja
Buraimi Airport
RMB · Buraimi
Butabul Airport
Ramlat Bū Tubūl
Latest News
No news for this country yet.
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Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-07-28
Official sources
- customs.gov.om
- taxoman.gov.om
- ncsi.gov.om
- opaz.gov.om
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What is the import VAT in Oman?
The standard VAT rate is 5 percent and has applied since 16 April 2021. Import VAT is charged on the CIF value plus duty; some goods are zero-rated or exempt.
How high are import duties?
Under the GCC Customs Union a common external tariff of mostly 5 percent applies to the CIF value. Goods from other GCC states are duty-free; some items carry higher rates.
Which system is used for customs declarations?
All customs declarations are filed electronically through the Bayan single-window system of the Royal Oman Police - Directorate General of Customs.
Is there a free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA?
Yes. Under the GCC-EFTA free trade agreement, Swiss-origin goods qualify for preferential treatment with a valid proof of origin.
Which seaports and airports matter for cargo?
Key ports are Salalah (a global transshipment hub), Sohar and Duqm; Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat now serves tourism. Air cargo runs through Muscat (MCT) and Salalah (SLL).
Which goods are prohibited or restricted?
Prohibited items include weapons, drugs, pornography and goods of Israeli origin; alcohol and tobacco only under licence. Medicines, plants, animals, radio devices and drones are licence-restricted.
What advantages do the free zones offer?
The free zones of Sohar, Salalah, Duqm (SEZAD) and Al Mazunah are exempt from duty and tax while goods remain in the zone, making them suited for transshipment and processing.
Which trade partners are important for Oman?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Oman?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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