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Category: Pakistan Customs

  • KCAA appreciates customs clearance during Eid Holidays

    KCAA appreciates customs clearance during Eid Holidays

    KARACHI: Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has appreciated the measures taken by the tax authorities for smooth customs clearance during Eid holidays.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, the KCAA stated that the customs field formations at Karachi Ports  observed normal working hours on May 8 h 2021 and remained open on 10th and 11th May in order to facilitate the trade and industry. During remaining Eid Holidays, from May 12th to 15 h May, special teams have been constituted to facilitate the import cargo.

    As a result of the measures taken by the customs at the Karachi Ports, clearance of the cargo remained smooth including the food items, pharmaceutical goods and industrial raw materials.

    Trade bodies engaged in clearance of import consignments have appreciated the measures taken by the FBR and Customs and the positive impact of such decisions on economy during Eid holidays and Covid-19.

  • FBR appoints CEO for Pakistan Single Window Company

    FBR appoints CEO for Pakistan Single Window Company

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has invited application for appointment of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Single Window Company (PSWC). The application for the post may be submitted by May 23, 2021.

    The FBR said that PSWC is a public sector company incorporated under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017 by Pakistan Customs, which is the designated lead agency to implement trade related Single Window.

    PSWC is to act the operating entity under PSW Act 2021 for development, implementation and maintenance of PSW system. The company is headquartered at Islamabad with a site office at Karachi.

    The PSW company requires a transformational and passionate individual to lead the company as CEO. The CEO will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of PSW and achievement of its stated objectives. “He/she will be responsible to ensure that the PSW system is developed and implemented as per the project timelines and in accordance with global best practices.”

    He/she will also be responsible for creating and nurturing a conducive environment for technological innovation, reforms and development of IT based solutions for trade facilitation.

  • Customs stations to remain operational during Eid Holidays

    Customs stations to remain operational during Eid Holidays

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday directed customs collectorates to observe normal working hours during Eid Holidays in order to facilitate trade and industry to clearance their goods.

    The FBR directed the customs station to observe normal working days on May 08, May 10 and May 11 of 2021. The FBR said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had already issued instructions to banks to open their branches on the dates mentioned above.

    The customs field offices had been instructed to issue duty schedule during Eid holidays to their officers in order to ensure consignment clearance during these days, especially those consignments having perishable items.

    The FBR said that port authorities, terminal operators and dry ports had been informed about the customs operations during Eid Holidays. Further, trade and industries have also been informed about the decision.

    The FBR said that the decision has been taken to ensure timely customs clearance of imported goods so the industrialists meet their export orders extended Eid holidays that were announced to prevent spread of coronavirus.

  • FBR notifies duty exemption on cotton yarn import

    FBR notifies duty exemption on cotton yarn import

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday notified exemption of customs duty on import of cotton yarn till June 30, 2021.

    The FBR issues SRO 533(I)/2021 to comply with the decision of Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) to exempt whole of customs duty on import of cotton and cotton yarn.

    The ECC on April 14, 2021 approved the withdrawal of customs duty to ensure smooth supply of cotton and cotton yarns to the value-added industry, while bridging the gap between domestic production and overall demand for the inputs.

    The FBR allowed duty exemption on cotton yarn on import of following categories:

    — Cotton Yarn (other than sewing thread), containing 85 percent or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale.

    — Cotton Yarn (other than sewing thread), containing less than 85 percent by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale.

    — Cotton Yarn (other than sewing thread) put up for retail sale.

  • FBR releases Rs8.92bn against duty drawback claims

    FBR releases Rs8.92bn against duty drawback claims

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued an amount of Rs8.92 billion against duty drawback claims during last four months, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

    The FBR said that following the vision of Prime Minister, Pakistan Customs wing has resolved the long-standing demand of exporters by paying Rs. 8.92 billion duty drawback claims during January- April 2021.

    A total of Rs. 12.367 billion under fully automated rebate system has been sanctioned to exporters.

    This will go a long way in addressing the liquidity issue of the local industry and shall result in boosting export led economy, the FBR said.

    Pakistan Customs said that fully automated rebate system is in addition to DLTL payments by Ministry of Commerce.

  • DG Customs Valuation assigned task to stop trade based money laundering

    DG Customs Valuation assigned task to stop trade based money laundering

    ISLAMABAD:  Directorate General of Customs Valuation has been assigned to stop trade based money laundering through effective monitoring of goods clearance specially those goods having lower duty rates or exempt from duty and taxes.

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday issued SRO 503(I)/2021 to redefine functions of the Directorate General of Customs Valuation.

    Through the SRO it is instructed the directorate that besides focusing on under invoicing of imports, also identify cases of over-invoicing of imports of low-duty or exempt items, and mis-invoicing of exports (to prevent flight of capital or trade-based money laundering) and to convey such information to concerned formations.

     The FBR also instructed the valuation department to make special arrangements to aware trade and industry about the latest customs valuation of import and export of goods.

    The directorate has been advised to develop and maintain a center for issuing advance rulings on valuation in accordance with international best practices.

    The FBR asked the directorate to regularly obtain reference price data from accredited publications, official price list, websites, through market enquiries as well as findings of Post Clearance Audit and other authentic sources and to make such data available to all customs stations for smooth clearance of goods.

    Further, the directorate has been advised to carry out proactive monitoring of valuation of goods imported into and exported from the country vis a vis international price trends, conduct and undertake sector wise studies of items prone to mis-invoicing and to advise the field formations regarding any abnormalities in valuation during clearance.

    To maintain effective liaison with Pakistan Mission abroad for the purpose of valuation enquiries, with relevant valuation committees of World Trade Organization and World Customs Organization, and with foreign customs administration.

    The FBR further advised the directorate to develop suitable training modules, in consultation with Directorate General of Training and Research, focused and providing necessary skills from basic level to advanced level to officers and officials working in all relevant functions including Model Customs Collectorates, Post Clearance Audit and Valuation Directorates.

  • Tourists allowed retaining motor vehicles without duty, taxes for six months

    Tourists allowed retaining motor vehicles without duty, taxes for six months

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a major relief for tourists visiting Pakistan by allowing them to bring their vehicles into the country without paying any customs duty or taxes, and retain them for a longer period. As per the new regulations, tourists can now keep their vehicles in Pakistan for up to six months, doubling the previous limit of three months.

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  • Pakistan Customs launches automated scanning of imported consignments

    Pakistan Customs launches automated scanning of imported consignments

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has launched a new automated scanning facility for containerized import consignments of industrial raw materials for speedy clearance, a statement said on Wednesday.

    The new system has been introduced in WeBOC system. The introduction of Non-Intrusive Inspection System by Customs was a long awaited initiative aimed at replacing physical inspection of cargo and reducing the dwell time at ports by using the latest scanning technology in line with international best practices.

    The Karachi Port and Port Qasim have Customs scanning facilities installed with the assistance of Japanese Government under JICA program in addition to the scanners of the terminal operators.

    The Blue channel will be part of the Risk Management System (RMS) through which Customs will be able to select the consignments of containerized cargo based on RMS by using computer program targeting the suspected shipments. The system shall operate without human intervention which is designed to be based on the risk profiling and risk parameters.

    The scheme is envisaged to reduce the physical examination of goods which is time consuming and costlier besides causing port congestion. The program has been implemented initially at KICT, SAPT terminals of Karachi port and at QICT, Port Qasim with effect from 19th April, 2021 for industrial raw materials and drastic reduction in clearance time of such consignments has been observed.

    The World Customs Organization (WCO) recommends the scanning of suspected cargo at ports and border stations for security of supply chain under its (SAFE) Security and Facilitation Framework and Kyoto Convention.

    By implementing the Blue channel, Pakistan Customs will not only be able to ensure security of supply chain but also ensure correct declaration of goods and secure legitimate payment of duty and taxes by the importers.

    This technological intervention will support in facilitating the trade by reducing the clearance time, saving cost, and decreasing port congestion leaving positive impact on overall cargo dwell time.  The program will go a long way in modernization of Customs procedures in Pakistan.

  • Ministry imposes ban on import of conventional syringes

    Ministry imposes ban on import of conventional syringes

    ISLAMABAD: The ministry of commerce on Friday imposed ban on import of conventional syringes with immediate as the government had already granted incentives on import of auto disable syringes through latest amendment to relevant laws.

    The ministry of commerce issued SRO 483(I)/2021 dated April 16, 2021 to amend Import Policy Order, 2020.

    Through the notification a ban has been imposed on import of conventional syringes including 2 ml, 2.5 ml, 3 ml and 5 ml.

    Prior to this through Tax Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2021, the government had allowed sales tax exemption on import of auto disable syringes including with needles and without needles.

    Further, the import of raw materials for the manufacturers of auto disable syringes was also granted sales tax exemption.

  • FBR reinstates customs officials of Peshawar collectorate

    FBR reinstates customs officials of Peshawar collectorate

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday reinstated six customs officials into services, who were suspended for violating government service rules.

    The following BS-16 officers of Model Customs Collectorate (Enforcement and Compliance), Peshawar, who were placed under suspension dated August 11, 2020 have been reinstated into services with immediate effect and until further orders:

    1. Mazhar Elahi, Superintendent, MCC, (E&C), Peshawar

    2. Syed Nazim Ali Shah, Inspector, MCC, (E&C), Peshawar

    3. Afaaq Hussain, Inspector, MCC, (E&C), Peshawar

    4. Shah Fahad, Inspector, MCC, (E&C), Peshawar

    5. Zafar Ali, Inspector, MCC, (E&C), Peshawar

    6. Farhad Khan, Inspector MCC, (E&C), Peshawar

    The FBR said that suspension period from 11.08.2020 to-date is treated as spent on duty.