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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.

  • Customs agents express concern over delay in consignment clearance

    Customs agents express concern over delay in consignment clearance

    KARACHI: Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has expressed concerns over delay in consignment clearance due to shortage of customs officials.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association said that it had already informed the customs collectorates regarding the alarming situation that has been created due to shortage of staff for clearance of consignments at custom stations i.e. Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement & Facilitation of East, West, AFU Port Qasim and Exports.

    Unnecessary delay of several days is being faced by the trade in the clearance of their consignments incurring additional cost to traders.

    KCAA highlighted the following issues:

    • The appraisement staff is quite busy attending file work, PRV, AIB, RND, Audit, FTO, Tribunal and hearings in the Court of Law on regular basis. 

    • Most of the Goods declarations remain in queue for two to three days before being assigned to the appropriate officers i.e. A/O if the same goods declaration mark to examination.

    • Thereafter it takes more two to three days for grounding and examination.

    • After examination it takes further two to three days for the Good declaration to be opened by the assessment officer. 

    • There is only one examiner posted for examination at all three sheds at Air Freight Unit causing severe delays for clearance of by air consignments which are often urgent in nature.

    • Dilemma is that the concerned AC/DC are over burden by multiple charges and are busy with file work i.e. board’s issues, audit and recovery etc. and unable to pay their full attention towards the group monitoring and hearing. 

     The association pointed out that in this current era of devaluation of our currency most of the items being imported are raw materials that are imported by the industries for subsequent exportation after processing.

    If the current situation of shortage of staff is not dealt with it may results in loss of export orders, foreign exchange and may bring dreadful repute to our country in the international market. 

    It suggested that the powers of Section 203 of Customs Act 1969 and increase the free period time for import consignments because due to late completion of goods declaration traders are suffering unnecessary heavy losses in terms of shipping line container detention & port demurrage charges while the same amount is being remitted by the terminal operators and shipping companies to their principal foreign offices in shape of foreign exchange. 

    The association urged the prime minister and FBR chairman to issue necessary instruction to depute sufficient number of staff at all collectorate.

    The association also suggested a separate dedicated Law Department may be established and the staff posted therein be assigned to attend the hearings of the cases and other court related matters.

  • Illicit cigarettes worth Rs549 million confiscated in seven months

    Illicit cigarettes worth Rs549 million confiscated in seven months

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has confiscated non-duty paid cigarettes worth Rs549 million during first seven months of the current fiscal year, a statement said on Sunday.

    A spokesman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said that over 7.1 million sticks of illegal cigarettes had been confiscated during the period under review.

    The spokesman said that the FBR had issued instructions to field formation of Inland Revenue and Pakistan Customs to accelerate their efforts against smuggled and non-duty paid cigarettes.

    The FBR chairman issued instructions to both the field formations in this regard.

    In the anti-smuggling efforts to prevent movement of illegal cigarettes the Intelligence and Investigation of Inland Revenue had conducted 65 operations. In these operations, the IR authorities confiscated 44.827 million sticks of cigarettes worth Rs95.51 million. Out of these amount the authorities had recovered Rs2.2 million and remaining amount was in litigation before the court.

    The FBR chairman had directed the tax authorities to expand the anti-smuggling operation across the country.

    The customs authorities have been issued special instructions for enhancing vigilance at sea ports, air ports and dry ports to prevent smuggling of illicit cigarettes.

    The spokesman said that the customs authorities had recovered huge quantity of non-duty paid cigarettes on the basis of information.

    The spokesman further said that in order to avoid misuse auction process, the FBR had imposed complete ban on auction of confiscated cigarettes.

  • FBR transfers customs officers of BS-17-18

    FBR transfers customs officers of BS-17-18

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday announced transfers and posting of BS-17 and BS-18 officers of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) with immediate effect until further orders.

    The FBR notified transfers and postings of following officers:

    01. Mrs. Saher Yasir (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Lahore from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (North), Islamabad.

    02. Syed Ali Akbar Zaidi (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Lahore from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Lahore.

    03. Amjad Hussain Rajper (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation, FBR, Quetta from the post of Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Enforcement and Compliance, Quetta.

    04. Ms. Maryam Khalid (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, DirectorateGeneral of Intelligence &Investigation, FBR, Islamabad from the post of Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad.

    05. Muhammad Zohaib (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Collector, Model CustomsCollectorate of Enforcement andCompliance, Quetta from the post of Deputy Director, Directorate ofIntelligence & Investigation, FBR,Quetta.

    06. Ali Asad (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Directorate ofIntelligence & Investigation, FBR,Karachi from the post of Deputy Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate ofAppraisement and Facilitation(East), Karachi.

    07. Majid Hussain Gaad (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Director, Directorate ofIntelligence & Investigation, FBR,Karachi from the post of Assistant Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate,Islamabad.

    08. Beenish Rasheed (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate, Islamabad from the post of Assistant Collector, ModelCustoms Collectorate ofAppraisement and Facilitation,Faisalabad.

    09. Hafizah Laraib Ghaffar (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Director, Directorate of IPR Enforcement (Central), Islamabad from the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate, Islamabad.

    10. Asad Aleem (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement and Facilitation (East), Karachi from the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Custom House, Karachi.

    The FBR said that the Officers who are drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notification shall continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting.

  • FBR issues draft rules for enrollment in Pakistan Single Window

    FBR issues draft rules for enrollment in Pakistan Single Window

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday notified draft rules for enrollment in Pakistan Single Window (PSW) for the facilitation of trade and business.

    The FBR issued SRO 164(I)/2021 to notify draft amendments in Customs Rules, 2001.

    The revenue body invited feedback from the stakeholders within 15 days for finalization of the proposed rules.

    According to the draft rules:

    “431A. Enrollment in Pakistan Single Window (PSW).- (1) Subject to electronic verification, the subscribers who are required to be enrolled in the Customs Computerized System by electronic means through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) interface shall, for obtaining unique user identifier (HID), follow the process outlined hereinafter, namely:-

    (a) the subscriber shall provide the following particulars through the electronic interface of PSW:-

    National Tax Number (NTN), Free Tax Number (FTN) and Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN);

    in case of a company Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)’s Registration Number or Computer-Generated Unique Identification Number (CUIN);

    Subscriber identification module (SIM) card number or by such other name registered in the name of the subscriber;

    Biometric verification from the National Database and Registration Authority’s e-Sahulat centers;

    Email address of the subscriber as appearing in IRIS; and digital bank account number duly authorized by State Bank of Pakistan.

    (b) the PSW interface shall through electronic means verify the particulars listed above which may include NTN, CUIN, and SIM card and Bank account number etc. from the concerned authorities and issue One Time Password (OTP) via registered email and SIM card number;

    (c) subscription fee shall be charged by the PSW through digital means as per clause (a) of rule 426; (d) the PSW system shall by electronic means issue UID to the eligible subscribers fulfilling the requirements as per clauses (a), (b) and (c) ;

    (e) the UID of the subscriber shall remain valid and active for a period of two years or as may be determined, however, a notice not less than fifteen days before the inactivation of the UID shall be given to the subscriber before deactivating his UID, whether through electronic or manual means. The Collector of Customs having jurisdiction may however, immediately deactivate  the UID of a subscriber for reasons to be recorded in writing;

    A subscriber whose UID got deactivated through lapse of time or persistent not use of not less than two years, shall reapply for subscription in the same manner as a new subscriber applies for UID which shall inter alia include payment of subscription fee afresh;

    The subscriber having a valid and active UID shall be entitled to avail all the privileges made available in the Subscription Module of the PSW;

    Customs agents as licensed under section 207 of the Act shall be allowed to tie onetime goods declaration in respect of persons having a valid Computerized National Identity Card Number after approval from an officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector having jurisdiction and provision of the particulars listed in clause (a)-above; and

    Any subscribers, not appearing on the Active Taxpayers List of either Income Tax or Sales Tax, shall be allowed issuance of UID, however, during the time of their inactive status they shall not be allowed any exemptions or concessions etc., as the case may be.

    (2) The subscriber shall be responsible for the authenticity of the information provided, security of his password, data shared or retrieved from the PSW, ethical use of the system and any failure to exercise due care in the use of PSW or compromising its digital systems or conniving with any person who intend to get unauthorized access to the PSW, shall be liable to penal action under the law for the time being in force. No subscriber shall assign, sublet or allow any person to use his biometric verification, NTN, password, SIM card number or any other particulars under any circumstances whatsoever and such subscriber shall be responsible for using any of his digital particulars for the purposes of subscription only to extent relevant to the PSW interface.

    (3) In order to facilitate, educate or assist the subscribers of PSW, the Model Customs Collectorates listed below shall designate an officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector as Assistant Collector (Facilitation) namely: –

    Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement and Facilitation (East-Karachi)/Quetta/Lahore/Peshawar/Faisalabad;

    Model Customs Collectorate Gwadar/Hyderabad/Sialkot/Islamabad/Gilgit: Baltistan; and

    Model Customs Collectorate of Enforcement and Compliance, Multan.

    (4) This rule shall apply to all the subscribers of the Customs Computerized System through the PSW interface till such time and to such categories of subscribers as the Board may determine.”

  • Customs values increased for imported imitation jewellery

    Customs values increased for imported imitation jewellery

    KARACHI: Customs values of imported artificial / imitation jewellery have been increased for determination of duty and taxes at the time of customs clearance.

    The Directorate General of Customs Valuation has issued Valuation Ruling No. 1509/2021 dated January 27, 2021.

    The directorate said that earlier the customs values of artificial jewellery were determined under Section 25A of Customs Act, 1969 through Valuation Ruling No. 1376/2019 dated May 30, 2019.

    The directorate general of customs valuation was tasked by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to identify the items/goods where variation with respect to values in exporting countries viz-a-viz import values in Pakistan were observed and where valuation ruling already exist.

    Accordingly, a special team was constituted in Directorate General of Customs Valuation, which identified the subject items where vast variations in declarations/specifications were observed.

    Accordingly, an exercise was initiated to re-determine the customs values of artificial imitation jewellery under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969.

    The directorate invited stakeholders to present evidence of the import values of the goods.

    The meetings were attended by representatives from M/s. GA Jahangir & Associates authorized by various importers and stakeholders. The point of view heard in detail to arrive at customs values of subject goods.

    The  stakeholders claimed that their declared values were true transactional values and may be accepted as such. The stakeholders also submitted their proposal regarding values of artificial jewellery but failed to substantiate said values with documentary evidences.

    The customs values of following artificial jewellery on import of various origins have been amended:

    01. Electroplated white/yellow, without stones/beads:

    The customs value enhanced to $3.85/kg from $3.54 on import from China.

    The customs value enhanced to $5.40/kg from $4.97 on import from other origins.

    02. Electroplated white/yellow, with plastic stones / beads:

    The customs value enhanced to $4.40/kg from $4.12 on import from China.

    The customs value enhanced to $6.55/kg from $6.12 on import from other origins.

    03. Fancy Electroplated white/yellow, with crystal stones/beads:

    The customs values enhanced to $12.5/kg from $11 on import from China.

    The customs values enhanced to $27.35/kg from $24 on import from other origins.

    In the previous valuation ruling a separate rate for imitation jewellery import from India was given. However, in the latest valuation ruling the rate of the goods on import from India has been eliminated.

  • Law authorizes customs officials to X-Ray suspects for detection of concealed goods

    Law authorizes customs officials to X-Ray suspects for detection of concealed goods

    KARACHI: Customs authorities have been empowered to screen or X-Ray bodies of suspected persons for detection of concealed goods.

    According to Customs Act, 1969, an officer not below the rank of an assistant collector of customs can order to screen or X-Ray a person for detection of concealed goods.

    Section 160 of the Act explained regarding the power to screen or X-Ray bodies of suspected persons for detecting secreted goods.

    (1) Where the appropriate officer has reason to believe that any person liable to search has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may detain such person and produce him without unnecessary delay before an officer of customs not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of Customs.

    (2) The aforesaid officer, if he has reasonable grounds for believing that such person has any such goods secreted inside his body and that it is necessary to have the body of such person screened or X-Rayed, may make an order to that effect , or else discharge such person forthwith, except where he is held on any other grounds.

    (3) Where the aforesaid officer orders such person to be screened or X-Rayed, the appropriate officer shall, as soon as practicable, take him to a radiologist possessing such qualifications as may be recognized by the Federal Government for that purpose and such person shall allow the radiologist to screen or X-Ray his body.

    (4) The radiologist shall screen or X-Ray the body of such person and forward his report thereon, together with any X-Ray picture taken by him to the aforesaid officer without unnecessary delay.

    (5) Where on the basis of a report from a radiologist or otherwise, the aforesaid officer is satisfied that any person has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may direct that suitable action for bringing such goods out of his body be taken on the advice and under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner and such person shall be bound to comply with such direction:

    Provided that in the case of a female no such action shall be taken except on the advice and under the supervision of a female registered medical practitioner.

    (6) Where any person is brought before an officer of customs not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of Customs as aforesaid, he may direct that pending completion of all action under this section such person be detained.

    (7) No person shall be subjected to screening or X-Ray if he confesses that goods liable to confiscation are secreted inside his body and of his own consent agrees to suitable steps being taken to bring out such goods.

  • Hamid Ali posted as Member Customs Policy

    Hamid Ali posted as Member Customs Policy

    ISLAMABAD: Syed Hamid Ali, a BS-21 officer of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) has been transferred and posted as Member (Customs-Policy), Federal Board of Revenue (Headquarter), Islamabad, a notification said on Monday.

    Hamid Ali was previously posted as Member (Legal & Accounting – Customs), FBR (Hq), Islamabad.

    The post of Member Customs was remained vacant after Muhammad Javed Ghani assumed the charge as Chairman of the FBR.

    Ms. Zeba Hai Azhar, a BS-21 officer of PCS, has been transferred and posted as Member (Legal & Accounting – Customs), FBR (Hq), Islamabad from the post of Director General, Directorate General of Training and Research (Customs), Karachi.

  • Rules notified for consignment clearance at border customs stations

    Rules notified for consignment clearance at border customs stations

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday issued draft rules for the clearance of import and export consignments at border customs stations.

    The FBR issued SRO 103(I)/2021 dated January 25, 2021 to propose a new sub-chapter XVI to Customs Rules, 2001 for clearance of imports and exports at border customs station.

    According to draft rules following are the procedures for clearance of goods at border customs stations:

    A. Imports

    556H. Data entry of import manifest at the time of terminal gate-entry.-

    (1) The person-in-charge of the vehicle carrying imported goods on arrival into Pakistan shall deliver the import manifest in the form as prescribed in these rules to gate-in-officer. On receipt of import manifest, the gate-in-officer shall enter the data of import manifest against the relevant IGM.

    (2) Copies of the import manifest shall be given to the representative of FC and the terminal operator at the zero-line, wherein a terminal operator is functioning.

    556I. Processing of gate-in.- After recording of import manifest information, the gate-in-officer shall process gate-in of the vehicle and goods in the system on real time basis.

    556J. Filing of import goods declaration.- Subsequently the importer or his authorized representative shall file goods declaration against the Index number already generated in the system for prescribed customs processing.

    556K. Release of import cargo.- After completion of customs processing of goods declaration including payment of leviable duty and taxes and on receiving authorization from the Pakistan Customs computerized System (PCCS), the terminal officer shall electronically assign vehicle and cargo to the Gate-out-officer for electronic gate-out in the system.

    556L. Processing of gate-out.- After receiving the authorization in the PCCS, the gate-out office shall record gate-out event in the system.

    B. Exports

    556M. Filing of export goods declaration.- The exporter or his authorized representative shall file export goods declaration against the vehicle and goods meant for exports, before the vehicle enters the border custom station.

    556N. Processing of Gate-in.- After the filing of export goods declaration by exporter or his authorized representative, the information shall be verified by the gate-in officer. The gate-in officer shall record gate-in event in the system.

    556O. Processing of GD and out-of-charge.- After completion of processing, the GD will be out-of-charged and a message will be sent to the terminal operator. After receiving message from the PCCS, the terminal officer shall assign the vehicle and cargo to the cross border officer for electronic cross-border in the system.

    556P. Processing of cross border and export confirmation.- The cross border officer shall record the confirmation of export in the system, after physically verifying export cargo at the terminal/station exit gate, and shall generate system based three copies of “Cross-border authorization” to be collected at the zero-line by the officials of Customs, FC and terminal operator respectively, to ensure cross border of the vehicle and cargo.

    556Q. Amendment in manifest.- After filing of IGM or EGM, no amendment shall be allowed. In case of any human error, the rectification shall be allowed with the approval of an officer not below the rank of Additional Collector of the concerned MCC (Appraisement & Facilitation).

    556R. Import and export of cargo.- The procedure provided in the sub-chapter for import, export and other customs processes shall mutatis mutandis apply herein:

    Provided that in case any land customs station does not possess complete infrastructure, facilities or any required components for implementing all provisions relating to Customs Computerized System, the Collector may order such modification in any provision as may be deemed necessary under intimation to the Board, till such time all required facilities and components become available.

    556S. Reconciliation of all incoming and outgoing vehicles.-

    (1) Everyday in the morning, Customs, FC and terminal operator shall reconcile all the import manifests of the all incoming vehicles of the previous day with a system generated list that GDs have been filed for all incoming vehicles. In case, GD is not filed within forty eight hours of the arrival of the vehicle, the reasons may be ascertained by the Customs for late filing of GD including verification of location of the vehicle inside the custom station or terminal.

    (2) At the end of the day, all cross-border authorizations collected by customs authorities as well by FC & terminal operator shall be re- reconciled to ensure that all the requisite transport units which were issued gate-passes have crossed the border.

    (3) The daily imports and exports statements reconciled jointly shall be countersigned by the concerned Assistant/Deputy Collector of the Enforcement. While, the Directorate of Transit Trade shall conduct the reconciliation of transit cargo and empty containers as per mechanism given under the rules.

    (4) In case of any discrepancy, the incharge of Custom station will initiate action under the relevant provision of the Customs Act, 1969.

    (5) A weekly summary of reconciliation shall be forwarded to the respective Collector/Director to apprise them updated.

    (6) All concerned authorities i.e., Customs, FC and terminal operator shall keep the original record of import manifests and cross-border authorizations for a period of five years and to made available if required by Custom authorities.

  • FBR issues SRO to withdraw additional customs duty on raw material import

    FBR issues SRO to withdraw additional customs duty on raw material import

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has withdrawn additional customs duty on import of raw materials of around 174 tariff lines.

    The FBR on Thursday issued SRO 81(I)/2021 dated January 22, 2021 to abolish additional customs duty on import of raw materials of 174 tariff lines.

    The FBR issued the SRO for removal of additional customs duty to comply with the decision of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held on January 06, 2021.

    The Ministry of Commerce presented a summary regarding removal of additional 2 percent customs duty on raw material, on horizontal basis under National Tariff Policy 2019-2024.

    The ECC approved the summary with a direction that budget cycle must be observed while planning important incentives for businesses and industries for smooth planning and subsequent implementation during the financial year.

    Through the recent notification the FBR amended the SRO 572(I)/2020 dated June 30, 2020. Through the amendment the FBR replaced the list of raw material that had allowed waiver of additional customs duty on import or raw material on 25 tariff lines.

    Through the SRO 572(I)/2020 dated June 30, 2020 the FBR imposed rates of additional customs duty at two, four and seven percent on import of goods.

  • Pakistan improves ranking by 31 positions in ease of trading across border index: FBR

    Pakistan improves ranking by 31 positions in ease of trading across border index: FBR

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has improved its ranking by 31 positions (from 142nd to 111th) on the rank of trading across border index, according to a statement issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday.

    The FBR made trading across borders easier by focusing three crucial areas: enhancing the integration of various agencies in the Web-Based One Customs (WEBOC) electronic system; reducing the number of documents required for import / export clearances; enhancing capacities of Pakistan Customs officials for playing pro-active role in smoothly regulating border trade.   

    Climbing up the ladder in Trading Across Border Index has enabled Pakistan in jumping up 28 places – from 136th to 108th – in World Bank’s (WB)’s ‘Ease of Doing Business 2020’ and securing a place among the top 10 countries have done the most in the corresponding / past year to improve the ease of doing business in their countries.

    This milestone has led Pakistan to be the sixth global reformer and first in South Asia that has brought ease in doing business for the national / international trade.

    It is important to note that border facilitation is amongst the top priority areas as per the comprehensive policy laid down by the Government. Concerted efforts by Pakistan Customs, under FBR, led to impressive performance in terms of compliance to the provisions of World Trade Organization (WTO)’s Trade Facilitation Agreement; hence, complementing Pakistan’s rise in Trading Across Border Index. 

    Pakistan Customs has pursued implementation of effective customs controls so that compliant trade is thoroughly facilitated, while lesser / non-compliant trade is diverted to detailed scrutiny. This strategy worked well, as conceived by Pakistan Customs, and has gone a long way in reducing the dwell time (at the borders / ports) for imports / exports in Pakistan by increasing the percentage of clearances through Green Channel.

    For instance, the time required for documentary compliance to effect exports has been reduced from 55 hours to 24 hours, and the time required for overall border compliance to effect exports has also been reduced from 75 hours to 24 hours.

     Similarly, the time required for documentary compliance to effect imports has been reduced from 143 hours to 24 hours, and the time required for overall border compliance to effect imports has also been reduced from 120 hours to 24 hours.

    In order to further improve Pakistan’s position in Trading Across Border criterion, Federal Board of Revenue is pursuing simultaneous completion of Regional Improvement of Border Services (RIBS) and Pakistan Single Window.

    Regional Improvement of Border Services (RIBS) is being implemented at Torkham, Chaman, and Wahga and is the Flagship program that aims at improving border-crossing facilities which are key transit points to Afghanistan and India.

     Pakistan Single Window, on the other hand, would integrate online at least 46 departments / agencies in Pakistan and would make trading across border a hassle free and seamless operation.