Muscat – Royal Oman Police (ROP), represented by the Directorate General of Customs, has announced the mandatory requirement for the use of pallets for all imported goods, in accordance with Article 44 of the Unified Customs Law of the Gulf Cooperation Council states.

This initiative aims to improve the efficiency of cargo handling, accelerate customs clearance processes, and enhance the overall flow of commercial trade. The implementation will commence in phases, starting with shipments arriving through land borders from July 15, 2026, followed by mandatory application for air and sea imports beginning September 15, 2026.

The requirement applies to goods that necessitate transport and handling using wooden, plastic, or metal pallets, with exemptions granted for items that cannot be placed on pallets, such as bulk materials, heavy equipment, pipes, rolls, and blocks of marble or stone. The Directorate General of Customs has urged all traders and stakeholders to adhere strictly to these new guidelines, noting that any shipments failing to meet these standards will be returned to their country of origin.