The Saudi Arabian Customs Department and Turkey’s Ministry of Customs and Trade have signed an agreement.

The accord will allow for the exchange of information on illegal trade in weapons, explosives and nuclear machinery, narcotic substances and counterfeit goods. It will also facilitate coordination in training of customs officers and exchange of technical information and expertise on supervision and inspection.

In addition, officers in the two countries will be able to stand as experts in court cases and provide certified documents, files and photographs when required to do so.

The host country must pay the fees of interpreters, in addition to transport expenses and daily allowances for staff witnesses. The host country also has to provide personal and protection services for staff during their stay.

Press attaché at the Turkish Consulate in Jeddah Baha Eldin Akyoun said the accord aims to create new ways to collect customs duties between the Kingdom and Turkey.

The accord is also intended to address irregularities of customs laws and regulations that may be harmful to the financial, commercial, social, cultural and economic welfare of the two countries, he said.

The terms of agreement between the Kingdom and Turkey includes cooperation between the customs administrations of the two countries to prevent violations and promote the exchange of information.

The accord will ensure proper calculation of customs duties and determine the exact value of the goods provided for customs purposes, the terms of tariffs and origin of the goods, new methods to detect customs offenses, and to devise modern techniques to monitor cargo and passengers.