Etihad Crystal Cargo, a division of Etihad Airways, has signed up to Abu Dhabi Customs’ new ‘gold card’ programme which aims to provide faster and more convenient clearance, and increased security of imported shipments.

The new gold card initiative, introduced in February 2008, grants Etihad Crystal Cargo an automatic pre-clearance service to process its customs transactions and other preferential treatment such as a 90-day “rolling credit” period with Abu Dhabi Customs.

Etihad Crystal Cargo imports more than 30,000 tonnes of commodities through Abu Dhabi airport each year, which are destined for its UAE-based customers as well as consumption at Etihad’s head quarters and offices, onboard duty-free shipments and aircraft parts.

Des Vertannes, Etihad Crystal Cargo’s executive vice president, said: “As Etihad Airways continues to grow its flying programme Etihad Crystal Cargo will ship greater volumes of company and client consignments through Abu Dhabi airport.'

“The new gold card service from Abu Dhabi Customs will have a significant impact for us, providing effective and efficient customs clearance whether it is for perishable or non-perishable products such as aviation equipment, IT hardware or medical supplies.”

Etihad Crystal Cargo will also benefit from additional e-commerce features of the gold card.

These include electronic submission of customs clearance documentation, payment facilities for consignment and administration fees and electronic reconciliation and refunds.

Furthermore, Etihad Crystal Cargo’s team at Abu Dhabi airport can access on-line consignment clearance details in addition to maintaining transaction records and archiving important documents for all exports and imports.

Saeed Al Muhairi, the deputy director general of Abu Dhabi Customs Administration said the new trade facilitation facility was a privileged service to reward compliant and well run businesses in Abu Dhabi with a fast, effective and efficient customs clearance service.

'We are enormously proud of the fact that Etihad Airways has been the first company to support this new service and we congratulate the UAE’s national carrier on its foresight and vision,' he noted.

The gold card initiative is one part of Abu Dhabi airport’s modernisation programme, intended to introduce new and convenient processes and procedures for companies such as Etihad Crystal Cargo, which regularly use the customs services.-TradeArabia News Service