Includes import documentation and other requirements for both the U.S. exporter and foreign importer.
Last Published: 12/18/2018
Import licenses, valid for one year, are required for:
  • non-commercial shipments exceeding JOD 2,000 ($2,820);
  • biscuits of all types;
  • mineral water;
  • dried milk for industry use;
  • used tires; and
  • Items that require prior clearance from the respective authorities (for a complete list, see special import provisions).
Items that do not need an import license may require prior authorization by the appropriate government ministry.  Any imported agricultural or food products may be inspected and tested for human consumption.  Virtually all prepared and mixed foods are tested at the border.  The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) has the authority to inspect food products at the retail and wholesale distribution levels.   A representative may enter at any place and collect samples for testing.  If a product fails to meet technical requirements or is found unfit for human consumption, it is removed from distribution channels and destroyed.
 
The Jordan Standards and Meteorology Organization (JSMO) regulates food additives for JFDA. Permissible additives and their concentrations are those approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The technical standards for foods contain specific lists for food additives and their permissible levels of use. These standards should be consulted to ensure that any additives are permitted.
 
Goods entering the country under temporary entry status, bonded goods and goods benefiting from the investment promotion law are exempt from import licenses.  For more information, go   to www.jic.gov.jo
 
All Jordanian and foreign trading companies must either obtain an importer’s card from the MOITS for customs clearance purposes or pay a Customs bond equivalent to five percent of the value of the imported goods.  For non-trading entities such as banks, hospitals and hotels, the Ministry issues a special limited card that allows the import of goods specific to that entity’s purpose.
 
The U.S. government requires submission of a shipper’s export declaration, or SED, if the value of the shipment is greater than $ 2,500. Exporters can submit a hard copy or can use the free internet-based system to file.
 
For shipments to Jordan, exporters are required to provide a certificate of origin, a commercial invoice, an airway bill, and a packing list.  A customs declaration is also required, but only an authorized forwarding agent in Jordan can process the declaration, which must be filed electronically. Regarding a U.S. Certificate of Origin for Exporting to Jordan, a general certificate of origin is acceptable and can be downloaded from the Trade Information Center’s Web site export.gov/tic
 
The commercial invoice and the certificate of origin must be certified by the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, and then legalized by the Jordanian Embassy in Washington. To locate the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce, view their Web site at www.nusacc.org
 
A list of Jordanian diplomatic missions worldwide, Invoices do not have to be written in Arabic, but the importer is required to provide an Arabic translation.  Typically, this requirement is met by having the importer hand-write the translation on the actual invoice.  Exporters should be aware that commercial invoices for all shipments from the United States must bear a notarized affidavit.   Jordanian Customs may request other documents related to the shipment as needed.
 
 
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.


More Information

Jordan Import Regulations Trade Development and Promotion