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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.

  • FBR starts air travelers’ monitoring to detect money launderers, drug smugglers

    FBR starts air travelers’ monitoring to detect money launderers, drug smugglers

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched passenger profiling system at international airports to curb money laundering and drug smuggling.

    A statement on Thursday said that Pakistan Customs, a wing of the FBR, has launched a specialized Risk Management System for passenger profiling at all major international airports in Pakistan.

    This exercise is part of the Customs Border Management Initiative (BMI) recently approved by the prime minister.

    The Passenger Profiling System, “Global Travelers Assessment System” (GTAS) is now operational at seven major airports of the country for which Customs staff has been adequately trained.

    Moreover, World Customs Organization (WCO) and US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) have provided Technical assistance for deployment and implementation of the project.

    The system is capable of carrying out passenger profiling and targeting through Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record Information (PNR) for interdiction of suspected travelers, drug smugglers and money-launders etc. while adhering to the requirements of FATF action plan.

    It will also help in creating profiles of passengers travelling to and from Pakistan and generate risk indicators in advance using a proactive methodology for effective border management.

    According to Chairman FBR Syed ShabbarZaidi, the GTAS will also enable Customs to achieve the “Invisible Customs approach” with least presence at airports while facilitating the genuine passengers.

    The Chairman has also directed Member Customs Operations to ensure adequate training sessions for customs officers while initiating data sharing with border agencies which will serve as a targeting portal for all law enforcement agencies at Pakistan Customs National Targeting Centre.

  • Privileged personnel allowed duty, tax free car import

    Privileged personnel allowed duty, tax free car import

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has granted duty, tax free import of cars to privileged personnel on first arrival in Pakistan.

    According to Customs Rules 2001 the expression “privileged personnel” means all foreign experts, consultants or technicians visiting and resident in Pakistan under a proper Aid Agreement in which provision for the application of these Customs concessions has been made.

    The expression includes only such personnel as are either directly in the employment of the foreign aid giving Government or Agency or who serve in Pakistan under contract or agreement with such Government or Agency and whose salaries and travelling expenses to and from Pakistan are paid by the foreign Government or Agency.

    It does not include personnel in the employment of the Federal or Provincial Government.

    The following customs concessions shall be extended to the privileged personnel, namely:-

    Import free of custom duty and sales tax of articles for the personal use of the privileged person or members of his family forming part of his personal and household effects including one car per family on his first arrival in Pakistan.

    The time limit for import will be six months, extendable by the Collector of Customs for a maximum period of 25[eighteen] months from the date of the arrival of the person concerned;

    In addition to the above, a privileged person shall be allowed to import on payment of duty and taxes foodstuff and consumable stores including liquor and tobacco up to a C&F value of two hundred U.S.$ per month but the value of liquor will not exceed one hundred U.S.$ per month.

    However, import of alcoholic beverages shall be subject to Import Policy Order.

    Note: The privileged personnel may import the monthly quotas prescribed in clauses (a) and (b) of rule 39, for a maximum period of six months at a time.

    Articles imported customs-duty and sales tax free shall normally be re-exported and shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of within Pakistan except with the prior approval of the Government or in terms of the regulations prescribed by the Government.

    If any other durable articles such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, deep freezers, VCR ,DVD, washing machines, etc., are disposed of in Pakistan, customs-duty and sales tax, etc., shall be payable on the original value at the rate applicable to the goods in question at the time of import.

    The privileged personnel shall be responsible for the payment of customs-duty and sales tax and other charges before parting with the articles; provided that no customs-duty and sales tax shall be payable if sold after three years from the date of import.

    In order to avail of the concessions under this chapter , a privileged personnel shall furnish to the Customs authorities a certificate duly signed by the Administrative Ministry of the Government of Pakistan concerned both in respect of personal and household effects, etc., imported on first arrival and subsequent monthly imports of foodstuffs, consumable stores, liquors, and tobacco in accordance with the prescribed quotas.

    The Administrative Ministry concerned shall verify that the conditions in the rules have been satisfied before issue of the certificate.

    The Administrative Ministry shall also be generally responsible to ensure that all the other conditions as per this chapter have been satisfied between the time of arrival and departure of privileged personnel:

    Provided that a foreign employee of an industrial venture shall be entitled to import free of customs-duties and other taxes food stuff (excluding alcoholic beverages) upto C&F value of one hundred US $ per month subject to the condition that he shall produce a certificate from his employer to the effect that he has been employed in his industrial venture in Pakistan for a specific year.

    The monthly quota may be imported for a period of six months at a time.

  • Customs directed to verify seized vehicles carrying smuggled goods

    Customs directed to verify seized vehicles carrying smuggled goods

    ISLAMABAD: Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed customs authorities to launch verification of seized vehicles carrying smuggled goods.

    A statement issued on Monday, the FBR chairman directed the customs field offices to identify smuggled items and take strict action against offenders.

    On the instructions of Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman FBR, Customs Wing has issued instructions to all its field formations to verify the genuineness of all seized conveyances being used to transport smuggled goods through verification from Forensic Science Laboratory, Registration Database of Excise & Taxation Department and Customs Clearance documents.

    The field formations have been further instructed to initiate separate legal proceedings in case such conveyances are found to be smuggled or with tampered chassis number.

    These instructions will greatly help in dismantling the smuggling network being used to transport smuggled goods.

    In line with the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Steering Committee on Anti-smuggling, Pakistan Customs being the country’s lead Anti-Smuggling Organization has accordingly stepped up enforcement actions in coordination with other Law Enforcement Agencies.

  • Import of used vehicles: changes to payment of duty, taxes approved

    Import of used vehicles: changes to payment of duty, taxes approved

    ISLAMABAD: The government has approved changes to payment of duty and taxes system for clearance of used vehicles, which are allowed to import under three different schemes.

    The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday on a proposal by the Commerce Division, took up the import of used vehicles under personal baggage, transfer of residence and gift schemes which require the payment of duties and taxes to be paid out of foreign exchange arranged by Pakistani nationals themselves or local recipients producing proof of conversion of foreign remittance to local currency, and allowed the importers to meet any shortfall in arrangement of required foreign remittance for payment of duties and taxes through local sources in case of a scenario where the Pak rupee depreciates or government increases the import duties and/or taxes after the receipt of remittance and before the filing of the good declaration, which results in shortfall of remitted amount vis-a-vis payable duties and taxes.

    The ECC decision would help clear up a total of 1017 vehicles currently stuck at Karachi port because either no foreign remittance had been received or the remitted amount had been rendered insufficient due to depreciation of PKR before the filing or goods declaration or increase in the rate of duty in the Finance Act 2019.

    On another proposal by the Commerce Division, the ECC accorded ex-post approval to an SRO issued by Commerce Division on August 21, 2019 for extending till August 31, 2019 the implementation of quality standards on the import of solar PV equipment into Pakistan under an SRO issued by the Commerce Division on May 28, 2019.

    The Commerce Division had issued the SRO in late August following instructions from the Prime Minister to resolve the issue of several containers stuck up at ports due to lack of clarity amongst stakeholders, pre-shipment companies and border agencies regarding documents required for observance and implementation of the quality standards introduced on May 28, 2019 as per a decision of the federal cabinet.

  • FBR notifies transfers, postings of Customs officers in BS-17-19

    FBR notifies transfers, postings of Customs officers in BS-17-19

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday notified transfers and postings of customs officers of BS-17-19 with immediate effect and until further orders.

    The FBR notified transfers and postings of following officers:

    01. Ghulam Nabi Kamboh (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-19) on joining FBR (HQ), Islamabad has been posted as Additional Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Multan.

    02. Jamshed Ali Talpur (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) on return from MCMC has been posted as Secretary (OPS), FATF Cell, Federal Board of Revenue (HQ), Islamabad.

    03. Muhammad Akbar Jan Gandapur (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-18) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Quetta from the post of Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Karachi.

    04. Hameer Khan (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Quetta from the post of Assistant Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Karachi.

    05. Syeda Sidra Munawar Kazmi (Pakistan Customs Service/BS-17) has been transferred and posted as Assistant Collector (Prob), Model Customs Collectorate (AIIA), Lahore from the post of Assistant Collector (Prob), Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Lahore.

    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 alert as smuggled vehicles may take advantage of political march

    FBR issues alert as smuggled vehicles may take advantage of political march

    ISLAMABAD – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued a cautionary alert on Monday, raising concerns about the potential transportation of smuggled vehicles during a political rally organized by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).

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  • Tourists allowed temporary import of vehicles

    Tourists allowed temporary import of vehicles

    KARACHI: Tourists visiting Pakistan are allowed to import vehicles temporarily with certain conditions under Customs Rules 2001.

    According to the customs rules, a tourist who imports a vehicle against carnet-de-passage or a bank guarantee may be given delivery thereof by the officer-in-charge of the Customs station of entry without payment of customs-duties for its retention in Pakistan for a period of three months.

    However, such tourist is required to make a declaration at the Customs-station of entry to the effect that he will not constructively or substantially transfer the ownership of the vehicles to any other person during his stay in Pakistan:

    Provided that if it is not practicable for the tourist to export such vehicle within the said period and he makes an application to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) before the expiry of that period to this effect, the FBR may extend that period not exceeding three months:

    Provided further that if the same vehicle re-enters Pakistan within one year after its exit, whether in the name of the same tourist (non-Pakistani) or in the name of somebody else (non-Pakistani) temporary release shall not be allowed against carnet-de-passage or a bank guarantee for more than fourteen days except for vehicles operated by recognized foreign tour agencies which shall be allowed re-entry within one year for a period not exceeding three months at one point of time.

    Where the export of such vehicle is not possible on grounds of health of the importer, or in circumstances beyond his control, or because of an accident in which the vehicle is involved, the FBR may extend the period not exceeding six months, in which case a fresh bank guarantee shall be furnished if the existing bank guarantee does not cover the period of extension:

    Provided that if the importer wishes to retain such vehicle beyond period for which permission for retention has been allowed, he shall obtain an import permit from the Ministry of Commerce and shall pay the Customs-duties and taxes leviable thereon on the date of its import.

    If a tourist imports a vehicle for passage through Pakistan to a foreign destination, the officer-in-charge of the Customs-station of entry may, in the absence of carnet-de-passage or a bank guarantee, allow the vehicle to pass through Pakistan without payment of customs duties under escort form the Customs station of entry to the Customs-station of exit on payment of escort charges to be determined by the respective Collector.

    The particulars of the vehicle so allowed to pass through Pakistan shall be endorsed on the passport of the importer.

  • Preventive Karachi announces auction of used vehicles on Oct 29

    Preventive Karachi announces auction of used vehicles on Oct 29

    The Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Preventive, Karachi, has declared an auction of used vehicles scheduled to take place on October 29, 2019, at various locations.

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  • FBR nominates 22 customs officers BS-18 for mandatory training course

    FBR nominates 22 customs officers BS-18 for mandatory training course

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday nominated 22 officers of BS-18 Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) for training course, which is mandatory for promotion to next scale.

    The FBR nominated the officers for 29th Mid Career Management Course (MCMC) that is commencing from February 03, 2020 to May 08, 2020 at National Institute of Management (NIM), Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.

    The FBR directed all officers nominated to complete their performance evaluation reports (PERs) up to June 30, 2019 and submit their latest annual medical examination report to FBR by November 11, 2019. The FBR warned that in case any officer fails to do so next in order of seniority will be nominated/communicated to Establishment Division.

    The training course is important because it is mandatory for promotion. If an officer is selected for mandatory training, declines to proceed on training for two consecutive training course, he/she would forfeit the right to be considered for promotion, provided that the Prime Minister may dispense with this provision (in any case) in public interest.

    Following is the list of PCS/BS-18 officers for 29th MCMC:

    01. Tauqeer Ahmed Dar, Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Preventive, Lahore.

    02. Muhammad Ali Asad Khan, Deputy Collector, Office of the Chief Collector Customs (Central), Lahore.

    03. Tayyab Bukhari, Deputy Collector, MCC Appraisement, Lahore.

    04. Asma Bashir, Deputy Collector, MCC AIIA Lahore.

    05. Khaidun Ul Haq, Deputy Collector, MCC Gilgit-Baltistan.

    06. Syed Babar Ali Shah, Deputy Collector, MCC Sialkot.

    07. Fazil Shakoor, Deputy Director, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, FBR, Quetta.

    08. Muhammad Faisal, Deputy Director, Directorate of Reforms and Automation (Customs), Karachi.

    09. Zehra Tahir Naqvi, Deputy Collector, MCC Exports, Custom House, Karachi.

    10. Shoukat Hayat, Deputy Director, Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi.

    11. Shams-ur-Rehman, Deputy Collector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Quetta.

    12. Falik Shair, Deputy Collector, MCC Gwadar.

    13. Ammar Ahmad Mir, Deputy Director, Directorate General of Training and Research (Customs), Karachi.

    14. Yawar Nawaz, Deputy Collector, MCC Preventive, Peshawar.

    15. Nausheen Riaz Khan, Deputy Director, Directorate of Risk Management, Karachi.

    16. Mahwish Shah, Deputy Director, Directorate of Post Clearance Audit, Karachi.

    17. Amna Naeem, Deputy Collector, MCC Preventive, Karachi.

    18. Shah Faisal, Deputy Collector, MCC Appraisement, Quetta.

    19. Abdul Mueed, Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Faisalabad.

    20. Muhammad Rehan Akram, Deputy Collector, MCC Appraisement, Lahore.

    21. Palwasha Syed, Deputy Collector, Collectorate of Customs (Adjudication), Lahore.

    22. Syed Kareem Adil, Deputy Collector, MCC Hyderabad.

  • Customs intelligence recovers huge quantity of liquor from diplomatic consignments

    Customs intelligence recovers huge quantity of liquor from diplomatic consignments

    KARACHI: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Karachi has recovered huge quantity of liquor from consignments brought in Pakistan under the garb of diplomatic goods.

    In an official note, the customs intelligence on Thursday said that it had recovered 480 bottles of foreign whisky from consignment declared to contain food stuff imported by Embassy of Lebanon, Islamabad.

    It said that pursuant to credible information regarding smuggling of liquor in the garb of diplomatic goods, the directorate blocked a number of consignments in March 2019 imported by the Embassy of Indonesia, Syria, Algeria and Lebanon after clearance from the relevant Model Customs Collectorate.

    The directorate’s headquarters has been requested to approach the ministry of affairs for nominating its representative for conducting joint examination.

    The ministry through a letter dated May 22, 2019 only nominated its representative for joint examination of Indonesian Embassy consignment imported on March 16, 2019.

    It resulted in recovery of 480 whisky ‘Black Label’ which did not contain any food stuff at all.

    The headquarter was once again requested on October 10, 2019 to approach the ministry of foreign affairs to sent representatives of respective embassies during the examination on October 22, 2019 as considerable time has lapsed and the matter cannot be left pending indefinitely.

    The consignment imported by Embassy of Lebanon, Islamabad dated March 16, 2019 was blocked by the Directorate on Information of comprising contraband goods.

    The consignment was said to contain food stuff. However, examination conducted on October 22, 2019 at BOML Terminal, West Wharf, Karachi resulted in recovery of 480 bottles of blended Scotch Whisky (Johny Walker Black Label) in one wooden box valuing Rs4.32 million.

    It did not contain any food stuff at all. Accordingly, the consignment being liable to confiscation has been seized and further proceedings under way.