Pkrevenue.com

Category: Pakistan Customs

  • FBR extends suspension of customs officials

    FBR extends suspension of customs officials

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the suspension period for further three months in case of two customs officials.

    Through a notification, the FBR extended the suspension period of the following inspectors BS-16 of Model Customs Collectorate (Enforcement and Compliance), Lahore for further period of three months with effect from March 30, 2020:

    01. Muzaffar Hussain, Inspector

    02. Khalid Pervaiz Bhutta, Inspector

    Both the customs officials were suspended on December 30, 2019 for inefficiency and misconduct.

  • Customs directs shipping lines, agents to withdraw delay, detention charges

    Customs directs shipping lines, agents to withdraw delay, detention charges

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs on Friday directed shipping companies and shipping agents to extend waiver of delay and detention charges during lockdown to contain coronavirus.

    Model Customs Collectorate (Enforcement &Compliance) Karachi issued instructions to chairman All Pakistan Shipping Association and chairman Pakistan Ship Agents Association to allow free time to importers.

    The customs authorities said that Pakistan is currently facing a great challenge to address the issue of spread of coronavirus outbreak.

    As a result of lockdown and restriction of movement of people / vehicle, the time duration of lifting the cargo from ports is exceeding the free-time as allowed to the importers under normal course of business.

    The FBR has already issued similar instructions to container terminal operators on March 31, 2020 to waive demurrage and detention charges in order to facilitate importers and trade community in difficult times.

    The collectorate said that considering the challenging scenario for importers and trade community the shipping lines and their agents should extend free-days in respect of container detention and not charge container detention charges and other charges in connection of late delivery of goods for the period from March 25, 2020 to April 16, 2020 in addition to free days already allowed by shipping lines and their agents.

  • FBR asks terminal operators to allow 15-day free time for imported cargo

    FBR asks terminal operators to allow 15-day free time for imported cargo

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has urged terminal operators to provide an additional 15-day free period for imported cargo at the port area, exempting it from demurrage and detention charges, in response to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.

    (more…)
  • FBR extends time limit to 25 days for GD filing

    FBR extends time limit to 25 days for GD filing

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday extended time limit for filing goods declaration to facilitate traders and importers, who were facing difficulties due to lockdown.

    The FBR extended the time limit for filing of goods declaration from the existing 10 days of arrival of goods to further 15 days (total 25 days) for all Import General Manifest (IGMs) filed between March 17, 2020 and April 07, 2020.

    The FBR said that the customs collectorates across the country were operating normally, however, on account of the ongoing lockdown by provincial governments to address the prevailing pandemic of COVID-19, the importers and clearing agents were facing hardship in filing of goods declaration within the time limit prescribed under Customs Act, 1969.

    The consequent penalty on this account is causing undue hardship to the traders as the circumstances for late filing, which was beyond their control.

    The FBR said that it had received requests from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) for extension in the time limit for filing of goods declaration.

  • Customs agents take measures for trade facilitation amid coronavirus lockdown

    Customs agents take measures for trade facilitation amid coronavirus lockdown

    KARACHI: Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has taken various measures to facilitate trade during ongoing lockdown related to prevent spread of coronavirus. The managing committee of the KCAA has taken several measures for the redressal of grievances being faced by the members.

    (more…)
  • Coronavirus prevention: Clearing agents advised avoid unnecessary visits to Custom House

    Coronavirus prevention: Clearing agents advised avoid unnecessary visits to Custom House

    KARACHI: Customs clearing agents have been advised to avoid unnecessary visits to Custom House Karachi as a preventive measure against coronavirus.

    In a circular Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) on Saturday, informed its members that the association had conducted meetings with the Model Customs Collectorate Appraisement & Facilitation (East) & (West) regarding outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and decided to take appropriate precaution measures in order to avoid unnecessary visits and long sit-ins at visitor’s area of Custom House, Karachi.

    It is highly recommended for the general public to reduce exposure and limit the risk of spread/transmission of Novel Coronavirus.

    Members and their employees are advised to avoid unnecessary visits at Custom House Karachi and wear masks by following other safety instructions as already displayed on the notice boards at Custom House, Karachi.

    However, in case of any emergency meetings/hearings are required to be attended, a written applications by mentioning the reasons to the officers concerned should be submitted for the redressal of grievance.

    In case of any assistance members are advised to contact the CHO-Office of MCC Appraisement & Facilitation (East & West).

  • Customs stops export consignments of onion after ban decision

    Customs stops export consignments of onion after ban decision

    KARACHI: Pakistan Customs stopped export consignments of onion to comply with government decision to impose ban on the vegetable to meet local demand.

    In an letter issued by Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Exports on Friday to Pakistan International Container Terminal (PICT) stated: “In compliance of directive received from the Headquarters, the loading of all the consignments / containers declared to contain ‘fresh onion’ falling under PCT 0703.1000 stopped immediately till further orders.”

    The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet in its meeting on February 19 decided to impose ban on export of onion till May 30, 2020 in order to meet local demand and stabilize prices.

    Exporters claimed that due to immediate ban imposed by the customs authorities above 300 containers amounting $3.2 million were stuck up, where loading already allowed and about to load on vessel.

    Earlier, on February 20 All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Associations (PFVA) in an SOS to the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, said that the sudden stoppage would have serious repercussion.

    The association said that the exporters on onion had already received advance payments from their foreign buyers for export of onion and with immediate ban, they would be unable to honor their business commitment which would not only put a question mark on their credibility, it would also terribly shake confidence of the foreign buyers.

    It further said that the onion exporters had already procured quantity of onion according to orders from foreign buyers for processing the same in their pack houses and the sudden ban on export would lead to colossal financial losses to the exporters due to limited shelf life of the onion.

  • FBR considers transfer back customs officials

    FBR considers transfer back customs officials

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is actively reviewing requests for the transfer back of Pakistan Customs officials who were posted to outstations in 2019. This move comes in response to a significant number of appeals submitted by affected officials over the years.

    (more…)
  • Regulatory duty on wheat import withdrawn; SRO issued

    Regulatory duty on wheat import withdrawn; SRO issued

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday issued notification to withdraw regulatory duty on import of wheat and other wheat products.

    The Revenue Division issued SRO 119(I)/2020 dated February 19, 2020 to amend SRO 680(I)/2019 to withdraw regulatory duty on import of wheat.

    The government imposed 60 percent regulatory duty on import of wheat, which has been withdrawn through the latest SRO.

  • Clearance resumes as EPA clears Custom House building

    Clearance resumes as EPA clears Custom House building

    KARACHI: Customs clearance has been resumed after a briefed period of closure as Environment Protection Agency (EPA) cleared the Custom House Karachi from any threat owing to spread of toxic gas.

    Wasif Memon, Chief Collector Pakistan Customs, on Monday said that all customs clearance operation had been resumed.

    He said that EPA had cleared the building and there was no threat detected.

    He said that National Bank branch of Custom House, Karachi was also started receiving duty and taxes for customs clearance.

    Earlier in the day the port activities and customs clearance were suspended as precautionary measures in the wake of mysterious toxic gas which claimed at least five lives.

    The unidentified leakage of poisonous gas claimed around five lives and around 100 were faint yester day. The authorities have so far unable to find out the root cause of the gas leakage.

    An official at Pakistan Customs said that the Custom House Karachi had been evacuated as precautionary measures as officials were facing breathing problems.

    “Not a single person at Custom House Karachi was faint,” said Syed Ifran Ali, senior customs official. “However, taking precautionary measures the Custom House has been evacuated,” he added.

    He said that customs clearing has also been suspended and main branch of National Bank at Custom House, Karachi was also closed.

    The official said that the port activities had also been suspended while taking precautionary measures.