Afghanistan

15.06.2020

COVID-19 [Afghanistan]

Bulletin n°6 – CIQP : 15 June 2020 (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Procedures)

IMPORTATION AND CUSTOMS

Customs, land, sea (updated 15 June 2020).

All shared borders with Pakistan are no longer closed; after a period of negotiations between Afghan and Pakistani officials, a solution has been found on how to re-start trade while reducing the spread of COVID-19.

As of 11 April, Torkham and Wesh Border Crossing Points (BCPs) with Pakistan have been opened for three days per week, for transit with special conditions.

These BCPs will re-close if as a result of the re-opening of these points, the spread of COVID-19 is exacerbated. 

As of 25 February, the border with Iran has been re-opened, with screening measures in place on the border.

Customs, importation procedure (updated 15 June 2020).

Customs which are open for import (updated 15 May 2020):

At the following BCPs, the importation of goods is allowed but exportation is not allowed from Afghanistan. Trucks are crossing the border with consistency:

• Nemroz BCP (Iran);

• Islam Qala BCP (Iran);

• Abo Nasir Farahee BCP (Iran);

• Sherkhan Bandar BCP (Tajikstan);

• Torghondi BCP (Turkmenistan);

• Andkhoy BCP (Turkmenistan);

• Hairatan BCP (Uzbekistan).

At the following airport, normal exportation and importation is occurring:

• Kabul International Airport (for all-cargo flights)

According to a document published by the Pakistan Ministry of Interior on 15 May 2020, the following measures have been imposed at the Western Border with Afghanistan, relating to Torkham and Chaman (Wesh) BCPs:

• Torkham border will remain open for 24 hours / six days a week (except Saturday) and an unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade.

• Chaman border will remain open for six days a week (except Saturday) for specified timings (as already notified) and unlimited number of trucks will be allowed per day while ensuring proper SOPs and guidelines for both Afghan Bilateral Trade and Afghan Transit Trade.

• Saturdays will be reserved for pedestrian movement only as per procedure already in place. Standard Quarantine Protocols / SOPs (as applicable for air passengers) will be implemented for pedestrians as well.

Customs which are closed for export and import (updated 28 April 2020):

• Pathan (Paktia) BCP (Pakistan);

• Urgon (Paktika) BCP (Pakistan);

• Ghulam Khan (Khost) BCP (Pakistan);

• Takhar BCP (Tajikistan).

In addition, an update on 13 May regarding Customs procedures indicated that nonCOVID-19-related goods from humanitarian partners are impacted by high demand at Customs offices. Also, humanitarian goods to Afghanistan require a ‘Donation letter’ received from donor organization. Based on the Exemption Department of the Afghan Customs Department (ACD), the Exemption procedure will be applied to humanitarian goods in crossing Afghan borders/Customs

Regulations imposed by Pakistani Customs authorities affect cross-border trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan:

• For importation into Afghanistan, cross-border land cargo is only for food and essential items. Rail freight still operational;

• Exportation bans from Pakistan on some medical items apply;

• Cargo shipments (import and export) will be subjected to mandatory inspections.

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28.03.2020

COVID-19 - Mechanisms for transferring trucks at Afghan/Pakistani borders (English) (28 March 2020)

COVID-19 - Mechanisms for transferring trucks at Afghan/Pakistani borders (Dari) (28 March 2020)