Islamabad, December 11, 2024 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued an official clarification addressing recent confusion regarding proposed amendments to the Baggage Rules, 2006. The clarification comes after the release of draft SRO 2028(I)/2024 dated December 6, 2024, which led to widespread misinterpretation about the valuation limits on personal baggage.
The draft SRO proposed amendments to Notification No. SRO 666(I)/2006 dated June 28, 2006, specifically elaborating on the definition of “commercial quantity” within the Baggage Rules, 2006. It set a limit of USD 1200 for goods brought in baggage that are presumed to be intended for trading or pecuniary gain. However, this clarification has been misconstrued in media and public discussions as a fixed valuation cap on all personal baggage, creating unwarranted concerns.
The FBR clarified that the USD 1200 limit applies only to goods brought for potential commercial purposes. It explicitly excludes items of personal use or gifts brought by passengers. The intention behind the proposed amendment was to prevent misuse of the baggage facility by commercial carriers, ensuring fair application of customs regulations. Consequently, the FBR strongly rebutted the notion that personal baggage exceeding USD 1200 in value would be confiscated, labeling such claims as baseless.
In response to the public confusion, particularly on social media, the FBR has decided to withdraw the draft Notification to prevent further misunderstandings. The agency reiterated its commitment to providing clear and transparent guidelines to facilitate passengers while maintaining compliance with customs regulations.
This clarification underscores the FBR’s dedication to addressing public concerns and ensuring that amendments to customs policies are accurately understood. Moving forward, the FBR aims to refine its communication strategies to minimize ambiguities and enhance public awareness about such policy updates.
The amendments have been aimed to strengthen monitoring of personal baggage and prevent misuse by individual misusing the facility to deprive bona fide passengers.