The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced significant transfers and postings in the Pakistan Customs Service (PCS), affecting key positions in Karachi. Abdul Qadir Memon, a seasoned BS-20 officer of the PCS, has been appointed as the Chief Collector, Enforcement (South), Karachi.
(more…)Tag: Pakistan Customs
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Pakistan Customs intimates WeBOC downtime
Pakistan Customs has announced a temporary suspension of the Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC) system, the online platform used for the clearance of goods.
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Condition of bank guarantee, post dated cheque waived on temporary import
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday waived the condition of bank guarantee and pay order under temporary import against exempt sales tax and customs duty.
The FBR issued SRO 847(I)/2021 to allow the persons availing facility of temporary importation for subsequent exportation to clear consignments without submitting bank guarantee or pay order. However, the persons shall require to submit indemnity bond or post dated cheque equivalent to the amount of payable duty and taxes.
The FBR said that the export shall be processed subject to profiling by the Risk Management System, the Assistant Collector or the Deputy Collector, in charge of the export station, may examine goods being exported in case of specific information regarding the misuse of the facility with the permission of the collector and findings of the examination shall be uploaded in the system.
The FBR further said that immediately after re-export of goods, the applicant shall produce evidence to the collector of customs concerned that the goods have been re-exported within the stipulated time period.
On production of such evidence or declaration, the indemnity bond and post dated cheque submitted at the time of import shall be released.
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Customs officials to get reward only after realization of duty, taxes
ISLAMABAD: The government has amended reward rules and announced that customs officials will get reward money only after realization of duty and tax involved in evasion cases.
According to budget 2021/2022 documents, amendment to Customs Act, 1969 has been proposed through Finance Bill, 2021.
The proposed amendment through the bill is as:
“Reward to officers and officials of Customs and Law Enforcement Agencies.-(1) In cases involving evasion of customs-duty and other taxes and confiscation of goods, cash reward shall be sanctioned to the officers of Customs Service of Pakistan, as defined under the Occupational Groups and Services (Probation, Training and Seniority) Rules, 1990 and officials including officers and officials of other law enforcement agencies, who assist Customs officers and officials or are actually instrumental in seizure of smuggled goods and vehicles as confirmed by the respective Collectorate of Customs, for their meritorious conduct in such cases, and to the informer providing credible information leading to such confiscation or detection, as may be prescribed by rules by the Board, only after realization of part or whole of the duty and taxes involved in such cases.” -
Importers to pay penalty up to Rs250,000
The government has proposed amendments to the Customs Act, 1969, introducing monetary penalties for importers who fail to provide mandatory documents electronically.
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Importers ID to be blocked for one year on contravening packing list
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan customs has been empowered to confiscate goods and block importers for one year on charges of contravening invoices and packing list inside container or consignment.
According to budget 2021/2022 documents, the Finance Bill, 2021 proposed penalties for contravening invoices or packing list.
At present if any person contravenes the requirement of placement of invoice and packing list inside the import container or consignment than such person shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding Rs50,000.
However, the punishment proposed through Finance Bill, 2021 is:
such person shall be liable to a penalty as under:-
1st time Rs 100,000/-
2nd time Rs 500,000/-
3rd time Rs1,000,000/-
4th time outright confiscation of goods and blockage of WeBOC user ID for one year.
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Pakistan customs assures early disposal of valuation ruling issues
KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has assured business community of early resolution of pending valuation ruling issues on priority basis.
Director General Customs Valuation Ms. Shahnaz Maqbool assured this at a meeting held with members of Pakistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), a statement said on Thursday.
According to the statement the FPCCI and Pakistan Customs had agreed in principle to form an advisory committee to resolve issues pertaining to valuation through consultation.
DG Customs Valuation Ms. Shahnaz Maqbool in a meeting held at Federation House agreed with the various recommendations of Shabbir Mansha Churra – Convener, Central Standing Committee on Customs, FPCCI – and his team.
The DG also assured of expeditious disposal of cases pending for many years related to valuation rulings. Former President FPCCI Mian Anjum Nisar; VPs FPCCI Hanif Lakhany and Adeel Siddiqui; Former VP Khurram Ejaz and others were also present on the occasion.
Shabbir Mansha Churra drew the attention of DG Valuation to the growing issues related to valuation rolling; and, said that for strong liaison between FPCCI and Customs, it was necessary to form a Joint Advisory Committee.
The committee will have representatives of the concerned stakeholders/associations; and, their legal and business experts.
Mian Anjum Nisar, Former President FPCCI, pointed out that the business community was facing severe problems due to delays in valuation ruling and because of very old valuation business community have to pay extra charges; although, the valuations have come down due to the reduction in the prices of some items.
But, the business and trade community still have the old rates and it calls for a swift and comprehensive process to update valuation ruling.
FPCCI demands that businesses that are in appeals with customs valuation should be facilitated by the department on priority basis and resolutions offered.
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KCAA appreciates customs clearance during Eid Holidays
KARACHI: Karachi Customs Agents Association (KCAA) has appreciated the measures taken by the tax authorities for smooth customs clearance during Eid holidays.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the KCAA stated that the customs field formations at Karachi Ports observed normal working hours on May 8 h 2021 and remained open on 10th and 11th May in order to facilitate the trade and industry. During remaining Eid Holidays, from May 12th to 15 h May, special teams have been constituted to facilitate the import cargo.
As a result of the measures taken by the customs at the Karachi Ports, clearance of the cargo remained smooth including the food items, pharmaceutical goods and industrial raw materials.
Trade bodies engaged in clearance of import consignments have appreciated the measures taken by the FBR and Customs and the positive impact of such decisions on economy during Eid holidays and Covid-19.
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FBR appoints CEO for Pakistan Single Window Company
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has invited application for appointment of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Single Window Company (PSWC). The application for the post may be submitted by May 23, 2021.
The FBR said that PSWC is a public sector company incorporated under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017 by Pakistan Customs, which is the designated lead agency to implement trade related Single Window.
PSWC is to act the operating entity under PSW Act 2021 for development, implementation and maintenance of PSW system. The company is headquartered at Islamabad with a site office at Karachi.
The PSW company requires a transformational and passionate individual to lead the company as CEO. The CEO will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of PSW and achievement of its stated objectives. “He/she will be responsible to ensure that the PSW system is developed and implemented as per the project timelines and in accordance with global best practices.”
He/she will also be responsible for creating and nurturing a conducive environment for technological innovation, reforms and development of IT based solutions for trade facilitation.
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Customs needs to improve performance: Karachi Chamber
KARACHI: The performance of Pakistan Customs is not at par with expectations of trade and industry. This mismatch between expectations and delivery should be resolved effectively, said Shari Vohra, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
He said while exchanging views with a delegation of Senior Collectors of 31st Mid-Career Management Course from Directorate General of Training & Research (Customs) who were led by Additional Director Junaid Usman Akram during their visit to Karachi Chamber.
The meeting was also attended by Senior Vice President Saqib Goodluck, Vice President Shamsul Islam Khan and KCCI Managing Committee Members.
Shariq Vohra was of the opinion that the Customs Department has to improve its efficiency as per international standards and must stay abreast with global changes and technological advancements as staying confined to traditional and obsolete practices for clearance of goods would never yield positive results in terms of expediting procedures for clearance of goods.
“Although Customs Department is a tax collector but it has to be a facilitator as well,” he added.
He was of the opinion that free dwell time of five days usually expires because of slow pace of Customs Department that causes severe losses to the business community on account of demurrage and detention charges on a daily basis which not only makes the imported goods uncompetitive in the local markets but also affects the exports.
“At times, many consignments carrying essential raw material for export-oriented industries are also held up by Customs authorities for long which raises the cost of raw material and eventually increases the cost of exportable goods.
“This is a very serious issue which requires special attention as it makes many Pakistani products uncompetitive in the international markets,” he explained.
Additional Director Directorate General of Training & Research Junaid Usman Akram, while appreciating KCCI for regularly holding interactions with Customs Officers of Mid-Career Management Course, stated that it was very important to hold frequent interactions between Customs Officials and the business community as such interactions were a perfect source for having access to first-hand knowledge which helps in better understanding the issues and accordingly devising strategies for creating an enabling business environment.
He said that the Customs Department, despite limited human resource, was sincerely working to facilitate the business community even in extraordinary situations.
“Despite the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown last year when employees of most of the organizations starting working from homes, the Customs Department remained fully operational and not a single day leave was taken by any official that clearly shows the sheer commitment and dedication of the entire department,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President KCCI Saqib Goodluck briefed the delegation about the overall operations of Karachi Chamber and how effectively it has been raising voice for resolving issues being faced by the business and industrial community, besides giving the valuable Budget Proposals which were compiled after consultation with all the stakeholders including all industrial town associations and sector-specific trade bodies.