FBR extends time limit to 25 days for GD filing

FBR extends time limit to 25 days for GD filing

KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday extended time limit for filing goods declaration to facilitate traders and importers, who were facing difficulties due to lockdown.

The FBR extended the time limit for filing of goods declaration from the existing 10 days of arrival of goods to further 15 days (total 25 days) for all Import General Manifest (IGMs) filed between March 17, 2020 and April 07, 2020.

The FBR said that the customs collectorates across the country were operating normally, however, on account of the ongoing lockdown by provincial governments to address the prevailing pandemic of COVID-19, the importers and clearing agents were facing hardship in filing of goods declaration within the time limit prescribed under Customs Act, 1969.

The consequent penalty on this account is causing undue hardship to the traders as the circumstances for late filing, which was beyond their control.

The FBR said that it had received requests from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) for extension in the time limit for filing of goods declaration.