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Category: Pakistan Customs

Pakistan Customs updates covering trade regulations, import-export policies, enforcement actions, and customs procedures at ports and border stations.

  • Wearing uniform made mandatory for all Customs officers

    Wearing uniform made mandatory for all Customs officers

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has made it mandatory of wearing uniform for officials in the grades up to BS-21 of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS).

    The FBR issued SRO 722(I)/2021 on Monday to notify draft rules for making mandatory the wearing of uniform by all customs officials from July 01, 2021.

    The FBR said that the purpose of the single uniform is to enhance the espirit de corps.

    The revenue body said that there shall be service and office uniform of Charcoal Grey colour for all the officers and officials as prescribed from BS-I to BS-21, of Pakistan Customs Service.

    Uniform allowance shall be made permanent part of the salary as per admissible limits determined from time to time by the FBR.

    The FBR said that a Customs General Order (CGO) would be issued for the detailed design, description and accessories of the uniform.

    All ranks of Pakistan Customs Service whether serving in Collectorates or Directorates except FBR Headquarters, shall wear the prescribed uniform with specific formation insignia as prescribed in the CGO issued in this regard.

    “All ranks shall abide by the instructions or guidelines contained in the CGO for manners, etiquettes, appearance and official conduct whilst wearing uniform,” the FBR said.

    Any breach of the guidelines as mentioned above, respective CGO or guidance notes annexed to the CGO shall be construed as misconduct under Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020, and may entail disciplinary proceedings, it added.

  • Pakistan customs assures early disposal of valuation ruling issues

    Pakistan customs assures early disposal of valuation ruling issues

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has assured business community of early resolution of pending valuation ruling issues on priority basis.

    Director General Customs Valuation Ms. Shahnaz Maqbool assured this at a meeting held with members of Pakistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), a statement said on Thursday.

    According to the statement the FPCCI and Pakistan Customs had agreed in principle to form an advisory committee to resolve issues pertaining to valuation through consultation.

    DG Customs Valuation Ms. Shahnaz Maqbool in a meeting held at Federation House agreed with the various recommendations of Shabbir Mansha Churra – Convener, Central Standing Committee on Customs, FPCCI – and his team.

    The DG also assured of expeditious disposal of cases pending for many years related to valuation rulings. Former President FPCCI Mian Anjum Nisar; VPs FPCCI Hanif Lakhany and Adeel Siddiqui; Former VP Khurram Ejaz and others were also present on the occasion.

    Shabbir Mansha Churra drew the attention of DG Valuation to the growing issues related to valuation rolling; and, said that for strong liaison between FPCCI and Customs, it was necessary to form a Joint Advisory Committee.

    The committee will have representatives of the concerned stakeholders/associations; and, their legal and business experts.

    Mian Anjum Nisar, Former President FPCCI, pointed out that the business community was facing severe problems due to delays in valuation ruling and because of very old valuation business community have to pay extra charges; although, the valuations have come down due to the reduction in the prices of some items.

    But, the business and trade community still have the old rates and it calls for a swift and comprehensive process to update valuation ruling.

    FPCCI demands that businesses that are in appeals with customs valuation should be facilitated by the department on priority basis and resolutions offered.

  • FBR announces panel of advocates for customs service

    FBR announces panel of advocates for customs service

    ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday announced panel of advocates, who will represent the tax authorities in cases relating to matters of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS).

    The panel of advocates has been appointed for a period of three years.

    Pakistan Customs (North)

    1. Arslal Amjad Hashmi North

    2. Malik Nasir Abbas

    3. Saleh Zada

    4. Ms. Syeda Mirbaz

    5. Barrister Dr. Waseem Qureshi

    6. Ms. Shamin Choudhry

    7. Javaid Alchtar

    8. Ms. Momina Khayal

    9. M. Irshad Chaudhry

    10. Dilnawaz A. Cheema

    Pakistan Customs (Central)

    1. Omar Arshad Hakeem

    2 Barrister Qadir Buksh

    3 Barrister Hans Azmat

    4. Tahir Zia Mahar

    5. Syed Hamid Raza Bokhari

    6. Amir Farooq

    7. Muhammad Asif Butt

    8. Saif ullah Khan

    9. Ms. Firoza Gohar

    10. Fawad Ahmad Cheema

    11. Habib Rehman

    12. Muhammad Shabaz Sharif

    13. Khurram Virk

    14. Mustafa Haroon

    15. Sheikh Muhammad Ali

    16. Ms. Shagufta Arif

    17. Rai Amer Ijaz Kharal

    18. Ch. Muhammad Shahid Iqbal

    19. Faisal Akbar

    20. Mesum Mehdi

    21. Muhammad Saleem

    22. Muhammad Hafeez

    23. Usman Afi Virk

    24. Waqar Ahmad Sheikh

    25. Khawar Nawaz Bharwana

    26. Hasnan Maqsood

    27. Ahmad Wasim

    28. Amir Ali

    29. Muhammad Ahmad Mehboob

    Pakistan Customs (South)

    1. Rana SalchawatAli

    2. Irfan Mir Halepota

    3. Imran Ahmed Maitlo

    The FBR said that advocates may be assigned Court cases for pleading before various Courts /

    Tribunals at relevant stations on the basis of merit, keeping in view their experience and facts of the each case.

    Matter relating to professional fee/ special professional fee, appointment, performance evaluation, de-notification, conduct of the Panel Advocates and other related matters will be governed by the SOPs/ policy guidelines circulated vide FBR’s letter C.No.8 (70)s(P.A)/2020/176432-R dated 12.10.2020 and any other notification issued or to be issued from time to time.

  • 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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