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.
