Muscat – Oman’s Bayan customs system clears 90% of goods within the first hour of arrival, highlighting the growing role of digital services in speeding up trade and logistics operations across the sultanate.

Operated by Royal Oman Police’s Directorate General of Customs, Bayan provides 496 electronic services and is connected to 74 government and private entities.

The single-window platform is designed to simplify customs procedures, improve the movement of goods and support investment by allowing traders and logistics companies to complete transactions electronically.

According to Oman Customs, the fastest permit issued through Bayan was approved in 16 seconds.

The quickest shipment clearance took 25 minutes and nine seconds at a land border, 54 minutes and nine seconds at a seaport, and 55 minutes and nine seconds at an airport.

The platform allows users to submit customs declarations, manage documents, obtain permits and approvals, pay taxes and fees, track transactions and access reports on goods movement. It also includes customs risk-management tools and links participating entities through a single electronic window.

Several initiatives have been introduced to reduce delays at ports. Pre-arrival clearance allows procedures to be completed before shipments reach border points, while remote clearance helps process goods without requiring all formalities to be conducted at the port.

Post-clearance audits are intended to accelerate inspection and release procedures. Other measures include electronic customs valuation, electronic air waybills and a safe customs corridor for moving goods between ports and free zones.

Oman Customs said the system supports supply-chain security, international trade and foreign investment while improving services for importers, exporters and logistics operators.

Bayan was ranked first in the GCC in the World Bank’s 2020 Trading Across Borders indicator. It was placed ninth globally for customs clearance efficiency and speed in an international report in 2025.

The system has received several awards, including the Best Integrated Government Project Award in 2018, Best Digital Government Service for the business sector in 2024 and  Government Innovation Award in 2025.