Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The value of Jordanians' online purchases from overseas stores and marketplaces amounted to more than JOD150 million in 2018, with around JOD100 million of which exempt from taxes and tariffs, a senior Customs Department official announced on Tuesday.

E-commerce has become a key component of Jordan's trade, but the huge value of tax exemptions on online merchandise reflects negatively on public revenue streams and undermine local domestic trade, said Mifleh Abu Ulaim, who runs the Customs Department clearance facility at the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA).

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Abu Ulaim said pharmaceuticals topped Jordanians online imports accounting for 15 percent of the total followed by garments (10 percent) and other merchandise such as electrical appliances, personal accessories, watches, perfumes, cosmetics and dietary supplements.

He added that the value of online trade is expected to exceed JOD2 billion over the next two years. Abu Ulaim revealed that the Customs Department had drafted a framework regulating e-commerce in a manner that creates balance between national economic interests and consumer preferences.

Speaking on the key issues the airport customs center addresses, Abu Ulaim said they include narcotics, counterfeit medications, e-cigarettes and materials used in the manufacture of explosives.