retail'JD150m spent online in 2018'

AMMAN — Jordanians spent more than JD150 million shopping online in 2018, according to the Jordan Customs Department (JCD).

Director of customs clearance at Queen Alia International Airport, Mefleh Abueleim, said that tax and duty exemptions on items bought online reached JD100 million last year, thus affecting revenues and imports, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

According to Abueleim, online shopping has become an integral component of the country's commercial activity.  

Medications have topped the online purchases list with 15 per cent, followed by clothes with 10 per cent, while other categories included electric appliances, accessories, watches, perfume, cosmetics and nutrition supplements, he said.

Figures show that e-commerce is growing with online trading expected to exceed JD2 billion during the next two years, the official said.

The customs revenues at the airport reached JD83 million during the first six months of 2019, the official said, adding that JD224,000 was generated from the fines imposed on a total of 653 violations and smuggling cases spotted during the said period.