Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
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 Doing Business – Trading across Border 2018 data shows that Jordan is ranked 74 of
185 worldwide economies worldwide regarding ease of trading across borders.
 World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) an indicator of trade facilitation,
analyses countries through six dimensions. The overall ranking of the Jordan ranked on
an 84th place out of 160 economies;
 The performances of Jordan according the UN Global Survey on Trade Facilitation and
Paperless Trade Implementation 2019 is 76.34%, higher then the worldwide average
near 9%.
4.3.3.3 The legal framework
Jordan Customs Code - Jordanian Customs was established in 1923 (Act No. (22), 1959). In
1962, Act No. (1) was issued. The Temporary Act No. (16) was issued in 1983, followed by a new
Customs Act (No. (20), 1998). This Act was later amended three times. The first amendment was
made in accordance with the amending (Act No. (10), 1999), the second one was made in
accordance with the amending (Act No. (16), 2000), and the third was made in accordance with
(Act No. (27), 2000, the current Act in force. However, the new customs law is still pending
approval from Parliament. Jordan has adopted the Transit Administrative Instruction and
Standard Operational Procedures statutory instruments related to Customs Transit (including
Customs Code).
The new Jordan Customs strategy (2017-2020) containing a number of projects, which are
expected to facilitate trade. Jordan Customs is also strengthening efficiencies within its National
Single Window (NSW) system, with the objective of minimizing the time release of goods from
12 days to 3 days. Moreover, Jordan is committed to replacing paper and human-based
transactions with paperless processes.
International Legal Conventions - The Hashemite Kingdomof Jordan has ratified the following
International Legal Conventions: International Convention on the Harmonization of Frontier
Controls of Goods; Customs Convention on the International Transport of Goods under Cover of
TIR Carnets (TIR Convention); TIR by National Associations; World Trade Organization Trade
Facilitation Agreement (TFA); Contracting Party to the Revised Kyoto Convention and WCO
Customs Convention on Containers, 1972. Jordan Customs has the authority to conclude
administrative agreements / Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to transit
procedures with Other Customs Administrations; Domestic Trade/business community; Other
domestic government agencies; Regional/international organizations or associations; National
organisations or Associations; Port Authorities; Airlines Companies; Railway Companies, and
Express Courier Services.