Islamabad, June 18, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued draft amendments to the Customs Rules, 2001, proposing significant reductions in the scanning and examination of transit trade consignments to facilitate smoother cargo movement and improve trade efficiency.
The FBR issued SRO 1062(I)/2025 dated June 17, 2025, recommending a sharp decrease in the selection ratio for transit cargo scanning and examination by the Risk Management System (RMS) of Pakistan Customs. Under the proposed changes, only 10% of transit goods will be selected for scanning—down from the current 25%—and just 5% will be selected for physical examination, compared to the current 10%.
According to the draft amendments, Rule 473 of the Customs Rules will be revised to apply the reduced thresholds at key seaports including Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, and Gwadar. Once a goods declaration (GD) is filed, only a minimal percentage of transit consignments will be subject to inspection. Consignments cleared through the RMS will be forwarded directly to the terminal operator for delivery and to the sealing officer for secure transport.
The FBR has also proposed corresponding revisions in sub-rule 3 of Rule 475 and sub-rule 1 of Rule 484E to ensure consistency across all transit cargo procedures. These amendments aim to streamline customs operations, minimize delays, and reduce congestion at ports, which are vital for facilitating Pakistan’s growing transit trade with neighboring countries.
Previously, through SRO 1401(I)/2023 issued on October 7, 2023, the FBR had increased the threshold for scanning to 25% and examination to 10% in an effort to strengthen border control. However, the latest amendments reflect a shift toward more efficient trade facilitation while maintaining effective risk management.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the proposed changes, viewing them as a positive step in modernizing customs processes and enhancing Pakistan’s reputation as a reliable transit trade hub. The FBR is now seeking public and industry feedback on the draft amendments before their finalization and implementation.
These reforms are aligned with the government’s broader agenda to simplify trade procedures, improve logistics, and support regional connectivity.