JEDDAH: Implementation of advanced methods for customs checking minimizes the waiting at customs points in Saudi Arabia and serves as a catalyst for improved trade relations with other countries, according to a senior official of Saudi Customs.
“Over 60 percent of containers arriving at Jeddah Islamic Port (JIP) are checked by X-ray scanners,” Saleh Al-Khelaiwi, director general of Saudi Customs said in a statement on Monday. “Rapid customs checks are done with the help of X-ray scanners and police dogs without opening the containers. However, if the content of a consignment is not clearly revealed by machines, manual inspection is resorted to,” Al- Khelaiwi said.
The director general added that modern scanning methods were highly successful in discovering explosives and drugs.
He said there was no health hazard involved in the exposure of food materials to X-ray scanners. The officials operating the machines undergo regular medical checks for any harmful effects, he said. Al-Khelaiwi also said the clearance companies at the Jeddah port had demanded the replacement of manual checking by X-ray scanners.
In another development, Saudi Customs signed an agreement with Yemeni Customs on Monday to follow the guidelines of a protocol and facilitate the movement, transit and temporary stay of vehicles between the two countries. Al-Khelaiwi and his Yemeni counterpart Ali Al-Zubaidi signed the agreement. The agreement stipulates the need for the vehicles to carry all required documents to avoid delays.
