SBP makes permission must for import of mobile phone, cars

SBP makes permission must for import of mobile phone, cars

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has imposed condition for payment on import of mobile phones and motor cars.

The SBP issued a circular related import goods making it mandatory for banks to take prior permission for releasing funds for import of motor cars, mobile phones and other machinery.

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In this regard the SBP informed the banks about Chapter 13 of the Foreign Exchange Manual relating to payments against import of goods.

The SBP decided that with immediate effect, the banks would require prior permission from Foreign Exchange Operations Department (FEOD), SBP-BSC before initiating transactions for import of goods listed in the enclosed Annexure, subject to following conditions:

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The above requirement shall be applicable for all import transactions initiated by Authorized Dealers through (i) issuance/ amendment of letter of credit; (ii) registration/ amendment of contract; (iii) making advance payment; (iv) authorizing transactions on open account or collections basis;

The above requirement shall not be applicable on import transactions initiated by the Authorized Dealers on or before the date of issuance of this circular letter;

Authorized Dealers may approach Director, FEOD, SBP-BSC, Head Office, Karachi, along with appropriate documents and its recommendation on a case to case basis;

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Authorized Dealers shall be required to suitably amend the importer’s bank profile in Pakistan Single Window to ensure that the aforementioned import transaction shall not be initiated on open account basis without prior permission from State Bank.

All other instructions on the subject shall remain unchanged. Authorized Dealers are advised to bring the same to the knowledge of all the concerned and ensure meticulous compliance of the above & other applicable regulations on the subject. Authorized Dealers are especially instructed to bring these instructions to the knowledge of their customers and advise them to approach the bank before initiation of import transaction of any item covered under this circular letter.