FBR Releases Draft Rules for Real-Time Tracking and Monitoring of Cargo

FBR Releases Draft Rules for Real-Time Tracking and Monitoring of Cargo

Islamabad, June 6, 2023: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Tuesday recently released draft rules for the tracking and monitoring of various types of cargo.

The purpose of these rules is to ensure real-time tracking and monitoring of cargo throughout its journey, whether it is from the port of entry to the port of exit or from one warehouse to another.

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To gather feedback and input from stakeholders, the FBR has issued SRO 659(I)/2023, inviting suggestions, recommendations, and objections before finalizing the rules.

According to the FBR, no company is allowed to engage in the tracking and monitoring of cargo unless it has obtained a license under these rules. Furthermore, license holders are strictly prohibited from establishing, maintaining, or operating any telecommunication system or providing any telecommunication service that is not authorized under the license issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as established under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996.

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The licensing committee, responsible for overseeing the implementation of these rules, will operate in accordance with the provisions outlined. The convener of the licensing committee is the Director of Transit Trade (HQs) based in Karachi, and its headquarters will be located in the Directorate General of Transit Trade, Karachi. The Director of Transit Trade (HQs), Karachi, will provide the necessary secretarial and administrative support required for the functioning of the licensing committee. The committee will devise procedures aligned with the rules to ensure its effective operation.

In case of an appeal filed by any licensed tracking and monitoring company against an order issued by the Project Director, the Chief Collector, Enforcement (South), Karachi, will serve as the Appellate Authority. The appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the issuance of the order.

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Regarding the application for the grant of a license, the FBR specifies that an application must be submitted in duplicate to the Board. The application should be accompanied by various supporting documents, including a comprehensive company profile, information about managerial and technical personnel, details about current employees, a list of major clientele, evidence of relevant experience in tracking and monitoring vehicles and containers, a history of previous activities and projects, information about current commitments and project status, a valid countrywide license obtained from the PTA, incorporation certificate, National Tax Number (NTN) certificate, audited accounts of the past three financial years, income tax returns for the last three years, registration with the Sales Tax Department if required, computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) of the company’s directors, an undertaking stating the company has not been blacklisted and has no involvement in confirmed cases of fiscal fraud, and a declaration of the fees and charges the company intends to collect from importers, exporters, carriers, and transport operators during the license period.

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The FBR aims to establish a robust framework for tracking and monitoring cargo, ensuring compliance with regulations and transparency in the process. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft rules and provide their valuable input to contribute to the finalization of these regulations.