DOHA: The inspection process at Doha Port is excessively slow leading to inordinate delays in clearance, complain customs clearance companies.
Inspection clearances take hours and in many cases are given the next day, a senior official of a customs clearance company told Al Sharq.
The delay also creates financial burden on the companies because they have to pay extra loading charge. In case of delay in clearance, the loading charge goes up to QR1,300 from QR600.
Companies say the delay impact their clients and are under from them to get the delivery on time. According to these companies, the process of giving clearance is complicated. “We are working here for so many years but have not seen such kind of delay,” said a senior official of a clearance company. “Some inspectors do not have proper knowledge about their work which slows down their work,” he said.
Companies have also to struggle with the problem of damaged goods. Many a time goods are damaged during inspection as officials handle them carelessly, said the official. Clearance companies have demanded that authorities review the inspection process and rectify problems. Some inspectors do not have enough experience to handle the process, which is another reason for delays, the official added.
