KCCI welcomes swift action as Pakistan Customs moves to ease port congestion and speed up cargo clearance
KARACHI: The Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement South Karachi has directed Customs authorities to clear the backlog of import and export containers at the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) within one week, reaffirming Pakistan Customs’ commitment to facilitating legitimate trade and reducing disruptions to business activities.
The directive was issued during a meeting between a delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), led by Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Chief Collector Customs Wajid Ali, and representatives of the Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT). The meeting was also attended by senior KICT executives, representatives of the Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA), and senior Customs officials.
One-week deadline to clear KICT container backlog
Chief Collector Customs Wajid Ali instructed the relevant Customs formations to work closely with KICT management to eliminate the accumulated KICT container backlog within the next seven days.
He said uninterrupted cargo movement through Pakistan’s ports is critical for sustaining industrial production, maintaining supply chains and supporting economic activity. The Chief Collector directed Customs officials and terminal management to adopt a coordinated approach to restore operational efficiency and minimise delays in cargo handling.
Wajid Ali also assured the business community that Pakistan Customs would continue extending full support to facilitate trade, expedite cargo clearance and closely monitor implementation of the directives to ensure the congestion is removed within the stipulated timeframe.
KCCI welcomes Customs’ intervention
KCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza welcomed the Chief Collector’s prompt response and decisive intervention to address congestion at KICT.
He said prolonged delays in container clearance had imposed substantial financial costs on importers and exporters through higher port storage charges, demurrage, detention fees and increased logistics expenses.
According to Raza, operational bottlenecks at Karachi’s ports directly affect manufacturers, importers, exporters and the wider economy, as the city’s ports serve as Pakistan’s primary gateway for international trade.
He expressed confidence that the one-week clearance plan would improve cargo movement, reduce unnecessary business costs and restore confidence among the trading community.
Measures to improve port efficiency
During the meeting, participants reviewed the factors contributing to congestion and discussed immediate operational measures to accelerate container handling, customs processing and cargo clearance.
The KCCI delegation highlighted that prolonged container dwell times were disrupting industrial production schedules, affecting supply chains and increasing demurrage, detention and storage costs for businesses.
Representatives of KICT and the Karachi Customs Agents Association assured the meeting of their full cooperation in implementing the agreed measures and working closely with Pakistan Customs to eliminate the KICT container backlog as quickly as possible.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen coordination, enhance operational efficiency and prevent future congestion, ensuring smoother port operations and improved trade facilitation across Pakistan’s busiest maritime gateway.