Information and Tips on US Government shipping to Cambodia while clearing duty/tax free under a CTE ( certificate of exemption ). This process would be similar for other countries. Also included is info when using a Freight Forwarder via ocean transport. This is not the same as official DIPLOMATIC clearance.

1. Cambodia Customs Clearance
April 2018

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KH Customs Clearance info
Consignment to foreign embassies in Cambodia is generally duty-free but is subjected to get approval from Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) and then Import permit from General Department of Customs
and Excise (GDCE). The request can be completed before the arrival of the consignment.
Minimal processing and handling fees may occur if the embassy has it’s staff process. The embassy may engage a
brokerage company to process the paperwork, but there will be service fees. Under Express, any diplomatic
consignments that are less than 50kg and low value can be released upon arrival.
Please contact the embassy POC before shipment preparation to confirm all requirements.
Certain medical shipments may need import licenses, so please contact DHL before shipping to confirm.
Office of Defense Cooperation
U.S. Embassy Cambodia
NIPR: ODCCambodia@state.gov
2018/3/5

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If the shipment is sent (DDP) duties and taxes paid:
The shipment will be cleared through customs via DHL’s 3rd party customs broker.
The IOR on the shipment paperwork would still need to be the authorized entity ( Embassy ).
All fees charged to the shipper’s account.
Shipment released after clearance
If the shipment is sent (DDU) duties and taxes unpaid:
The shipment will be consigned to the US Embassy and the shipment would be cleared via the Embassy’s
3rd party broker.
The Embassy would pay all fees ( charging back to the UNIT )
The shipment will then be required to be held for 5+ weeks before delivery. The US Navy/Unit will also be
charged USD500 per shipment which would need to be paid via MIPR
All official Gov shipments consigned to the US Embassy are duty/tax free. Having the shipment sent
DDU would probably be cheaper in fees for the shipping unit, but will cost the US Navy more on the
backend and also delay the shipment for at least 5 weeks after clearance.
2018/3/5
DDP & DDU ( INCOTERMS )

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For shipments of standard office equipment, supplies and smaller MED equip (weight
and value is over 50kgs/US$300) that cannot be shipped APO to APO, but instead
shipped via commercial air. These will require some specific documents for customs
clearance purposes:
1. Invoice and Packing List
2. Copy of the Airway Bill
3. Clearance process cannot be started until after receiving the shipment arrival notice
from airliner or commercial carrier.
4. Need at least 3 to 4 weeks to complete the clearance process
5. Money/MIPR will be needed for paying the customs clearance process, if sent under
the incoterm DDU. If sent under the incoterm of DDP, any fees will be billed back to
the shipper.
* Remark (customs clearance process fee):
a. This is the payment for the customs clearance process (declaration fee), which are
included with the storage charge at PNH airport and customs broker’s service fee.
b. All shipments consigned to the U.S. Embassy's are duty & tax exempt.
c. Fees will vary based on the total weights of the shipment.
DDP & DDU

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For shipment of standard office equipment, supplies and other equipment by ocean via
Sihanouk Ville port will require with some specific documents for customs clearance
purpose:
1. Copy of the Invoice and Packing List (details with the weights and values)
2. Copy of the Bill of Lading
3. Picture of the equipment if possible
4. If it is a vehicle shipment, will need to provide the VIN#, Engine#, Vehicle Make and
Model, Year of Production, Color, and Picture.
5. Clearance process can be started once all the above documents have been received
6. Email pre-alert of the above documents will be needed once the equipment has
already shipped/sailed
7. Provide the ETD and ETA Date
8. Need at least 2 to 3 weeks to complete the clearance process
9. Money/MIPR will be needed for customs clearance process
* Remark (customs clearance process fee):
a. This is the payment for customs clearance process, which are included with storage
charge at PNH airport and contractor’s services fee.
b. All shipments consigned to the U.S. Embassy's are duty & tax exempt.
c. Fees will vary based on the total weight of the shipment.
Shipping via ocean

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For shipments of standard office equipment, supplies and other equipment by sea via
Sihanouk Ville port
• US Embassy Cambodia address:
United States Embassy Phnom Penh
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
#1, Street 96, Wat Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Exercise Equipment Shipment

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• US Embassy Cambodia address
If the shipment is for a specific exercise/project:
U.S. Embassy - Cambodia
ODC, Cambodia Attn: (exercise/training name)
#1, Street 96, Wat Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
If the shipment is:
• Less than 50 kgs (~ 110 lbs) and less than $300.00 value per shipment
United States Embassy Phnom Penh
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
#1, Street 96, Wat Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Exercise Related Addressing

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For shipments to clear through the CTE ( certificate of exemption ) process, the IOR (
Importer of Record ) must be authorized/registered.
• US Embassy Cambodia address:
United States Embassy Phnom Penh
Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC)
#1, Street 96, Wat Phnom
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (855) 23 728 000
Email: ODCCambodia@state.gov
Standard shipment Addressing

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Shipments via USPS
2018/3/5
For shipments of standard office equipment, supplies and smaller MED equip:
• If Shipping via the United States Postal Service (USPS)
• Maximum weight per package – 70 lbs
• Maximum dimension - combined length and girth is less than 108”
• Meaning the combined measurement of the longest side and the distance around the
thickest part cannot be more than 108”.
• HIGHLY recommend shipping with pelican/hard case ( cardboard do not withstand the
transit very well)
• Send NLT 30 days prior to Exercise