Islamabad, October 25, 2024 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised the transshipment rules for Iranian transport operators involved in the movement of goods across Pakistan’s borders. The new rules are part of the efforts to strengthen regulatory frameworks governing international trade and transportation, especially under the Bilateral Road Transportation of Goods agreement between Pakistan and Iran.
To implement these changes, the FBR issued SRO 1446(1)/2024, introducing further amendments to the Customs Rules, 2001. Under the new guidelines, Iranian transport operators and bonded carriers are now required to submit bank guarantees to cover duties and taxes applicable on goods being transshipped through Pakistan. These changes aim to ensure that imported goods destined for other countries, but transiting through Pakistan, comply with customs duties and regulations.
The FBR has outlined specific conditions for Iranian operators to qualify as bonded carriers, detailing their operational responsibilities under this new framework. The notification issued on Thursday clarifies that a “carrier” refers to entities such as Pakistan Railways, National Logistic Cell (NLC), Sambrial Dry Port Trust, Faisalabad Dry Port Trust, Multan Dry Port Trust, and Iranian transport operators. These carriers must be licensed under Chapter VIII of the Customs Rules, 2001, and must adhere to the standards set forth by the FBR.
One of the key updates in the rules pertains to transshipment from Taftan to the NLC Dry Port in Quetta. According to the notification, Iranian carriers transporting goods along this route must provide a bank guarantee equivalent to the customs duties and taxes levied on the goods. This amount will be determined by the Collectorate of Customs Appraisement in Taftan, in accordance with Article 7 of the 1987 Bilateral Road Transportation Agreement between Pakistan and Iran.
The bank guarantee serves as a safeguard to prevent misuse of the transshipment facility. If an Iranian carrier is found to be misusing the system, the FBR has stated that the guarantee will be forfeited, and additional penalties may be imposed under the relevant customs laws and regulations. This step is part of the broader strategy to curb illegal trade practices and ensure that transit goods comply with Pakistani customs requirements.
The FBR’s amendments reflect Pakistan’s commitment to regulating cross-border transportation and facilitating smoother trade operations while minimizing revenue losses from the potential misuse of transshipment processes. These updates will also help promote more transparent trade relations between Pakistan and Iran.