ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced a major relief for tourists visiting Pakistan by allowing them to bring their vehicles into the country without paying any customs duty or taxes, and retain them for a longer period. As per the new regulations, tourists can now keep their vehicles in Pakistan for up to six months, doubling the previous limit of three months.
(more…)Tag: Pakistan Customs
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Pakistan Customs launches automated scanning of imported consignments
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has launched a new automated scanning facility for containerized import consignments of industrial raw materials for speedy clearance, a statement said on Wednesday.
The new system has been introduced in WeBOC system. The introduction of Non-Intrusive Inspection System by Customs was a long awaited initiative aimed at replacing physical inspection of cargo and reducing the dwell time at ports by using the latest scanning technology in line with international best practices.
The Karachi Port and Port Qasim have Customs scanning facilities installed with the assistance of Japanese Government under JICA program in addition to the scanners of the terminal operators.
The Blue channel will be part of the Risk Management System (RMS) through which Customs will be able to select the consignments of containerized cargo based on RMS by using computer program targeting the suspected shipments. The system shall operate without human intervention which is designed to be based on the risk profiling and risk parameters.
The scheme is envisaged to reduce the physical examination of goods which is time consuming and costlier besides causing port congestion. The program has been implemented initially at KICT, SAPT terminals of Karachi port and at QICT, Port Qasim with effect from 19th April, 2021 for industrial raw materials and drastic reduction in clearance time of such consignments has been observed.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) recommends the scanning of suspected cargo at ports and border stations for security of supply chain under its (SAFE) Security and Facilitation Framework and Kyoto Convention.
By implementing the Blue channel, Pakistan Customs will not only be able to ensure security of supply chain but also ensure correct declaration of goods and secure legitimate payment of duty and taxes by the importers.
This technological intervention will support in facilitating the trade by reducing the clearance time, saving cost, and decreasing port congestion leaving positive impact on overall cargo dwell time. The program will go a long way in modernization of Customs procedures in Pakistan.
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Gwadar free zone becomes operational as Pakistan Customs clears first consignment
ISLAMABAD: Gwadar Free Zone has become practically operational with the first consignment clearance by Pakistan Customs, a statement said on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Pakistan Customs has facilitated the clearance of the first import cum export consignment by M/s. HK Sun Corporation limited, which will be further processed in Gwadar Free Zone established under China CPEC and later on items will be exported from Pakistan.
The first consignment consisting of metal scrap was processed and cleared by the Model Customs Collectorate, (A&F) West, Karachi and goods reached Gwadar Free Zone regulated by Model Customs Collectorate Gwadar.
More shipments of raw material of the same company are under way to Pakistan which will be further used in manufacturing of goods to be exported.
M/s. HK Sun Corporation is the first enterprise which has started manufacturing and processing activity in the free zone followed by other investors to contribute in the development of first ever free zone of country established in Gwadar Baluchistan under CPEC.
According to the concession agreement signed between China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) and Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), the development and operation of Gwadar free zone is being performed by COPHC.
The planned development period is from 2015 to 2030, which is divided into four phases.
With import of the current consignment, the Gwadar Free Zone has practically become operational leading to the development of other economic zones under CPEC in Pakistan.
The free zone will integrate and strengthen the linkage of industries between China and Pakistan. The free zone is positioned as economic development engine of Gwadar aiming to transform international trade logistics hub under CPEC.
The project will create employment opportunities for local population; and will play a role of catalyst for economic growth and development of country.
Federal Board of Revenue is committed to achieve the vision of Prime Minister and is taking such landmark steps to facilitate and provide support for swift clearance of Free Zone Cargo to prevent any possibility of loss or hardship to the export industry.
Such steps shall boost exports and will result in trade facilitation by ensuring competitiveness of our exported goods in international markets.
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MCC Gwadar to auction huge lot of seized motor vehicles on March 18
KARACHI: Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Gwadar announced a huge lot of seized motor vehicles to be held on March 18, 2021 at Custom House, Gaddani.
Following motor vehicles will be presented for the auction:
01. Toyota Premio X Car Reg: No AAK-046 Chassis No. ZZT240-0112894 Engine No. Nil Model: 2006
02. Toyota Surf Reg No. QBA-0162 Chassis No. KZN185-0043878 Engine No. 1KZ-TE2982 Model: 1997
03. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No. BC-0448 Chassis No. HJ61-002060 Engine No. Nil Model: 1986
04. Hino Bus Reg No. BSB-808 Chassis No. AK1JRKA-16027 Engine JO8CB16832 Model:2012
05. Coach Reg No. BSA-515 Chassis No. AK1JMKA-1415 Engine No. Nil Model: Nil
06. Toyota Land Cruiser (Red) Reg No. BA-8164 Chassis No. BJ160-009711 Engine No. Not Traceable Model: 1985
07. Indus Corolla Car Reg No. GF-1411 Chassis No. AE100-0028693 Engine No. Not Traceable Model: 1994
08. Land Cruiser Prado Reg No. Not Traceble Chassis No. LJ78-0002499 Model. 1990
09. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.BA-5186 Chassis No. HJ60-009651 Model. 1984
10. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg: JAA-889 Ch# BJ-60-020679 Model: 1988
11. Mitsubishi Pajero Reg: JAL-231 Ch# LO48G-3005856 Model: 1985
12. Land Cruiser Reg: QAB-1649 Ch# HJ61-013994 Model:1989
13. Toyota Jeep Land Cruiser Reg: AFR-2015 Ch: FJ40-371932 Model: 1989
14. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg: Nil Ch:# LJ78-0039971 Eng:# ZL-33868 Model: 1993
15. Honda Civic Car Reg: Nil Ch:# ESI-1600827 Eng:#D1610173-004871 Model: 2002
16. BMW Reg: Nil Ch:# WBAGL62090DJ92594 Eng:#CC-300 Model: 2002
17. Toyota Surf Reg: Nil Ch:# KZN130-9032504 Eng:#Not Traceable Model: 1993
18. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No. LSA-3469 Chassis No.FJ55-88824 Engine No. Nil Model: 1992
19. Hino Bus Reg No. CH-14538 Chassis No. AK8JRKA-14538 Engine No. Nil Model: 2016
20. Hino Bus Reg No. BSA-554 Chassis No. AK1JRKA-11056 Engine No. Nil Model: Nil
21. Hino Bus Reg No. JB-3335 Chassis No. AK8JRKA-15635 Engine No. Model: 2012
22. Hino Bus Reg No. BSA-327 Chassis No. AK17X-41808 Engine No. Model: 1992
23. Hino Bus Reg No. BSA-571 Chassis No. AK-I-JRKA-16707 Engine No. Nil Model: 2011
24. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No. QBA-3037 Chassis No. FZ180-016013 Model Nil
25. Zamyad Irani Pick Up Reg: No WAJ-718 Chassis No. NAZPL140TB-P340284 Engine No. Nil Model: Nill
26. Nissan Sunny Car Reg No. Nill Chassis No. JN1BDAB14Z0336115 Engine No. GMI-6080565 Model: Nill
27. Toyota Hilux Surf Jeep Reg No. BF-3414 Chassis No. RZN185-9024668 Engine No. 3RZ-FE Model: 2000
28. Honda Accord Reg No. AVP-786 Chassis No. CL7-3003313 Engine No. N/A Model: Nill
29. Toyota XLI Car Reg No. GP-0896 Chassis No. NZE170R-4048738 Engine No. Z333007 (2ZN-FE Model: 2015
30. Toyota Altis Car Reg No. AZR-182 Chassis No. ZZE142-7403917 Engine No. N/T Model: N/T
31. Hyundai Shehzore Reg No.KH-4410 Chassis No. AUDF101061 Engine No. N/T Model: N/T
32. Mitsubmishi Pejero Reg No.KB-1782 Chassis No. CL048VFY100117 Engine No. N/T Model: N/T
33. Toyota Probox Reg No.Nill Chassis No. NLP51-0006233 Engine No. INZ-TV014556 Model: 2004
34. Toyota Raum car Reg No.AHK-605 Chassis No. NCZ 20-00962014 Engine No. INZFE-0097850 Model: Nill
35. Mitsubishi Pejero Reg No.Nill Chassis No. V45-4401374 Engine No. 2L2678454 Model: 1998
36. Mitsubishi Pejero Reg No.JAB-248 Chassis No. LJ78-00151955 Engine No. -TE Model: Nill
37. Mitsubishi Pejero (03 Door) Reg No.LSC-5465 Chassis No. V24-7700536 Engine No. 4D56-T7UF Model: Nill
38. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.BD-4472 Chassis No. FZJ80-0022240 Engine No. N/T Model:1992
39. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.BF-7385 Chassis No. HZJ80-0011965 Engine No. N/T Model:Nill
40. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.Nill Chassis No. LENFN28FX95300066 Engine No. 312684 Model:Nill
41. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Reg No.JAF-883 Chassis No. IZJ78-0027017 Engine No.1KZIT Model:1996
42. Toyota Hilux Pickup Reg No.WAE-893 Chassis No. RN43-008601 Engine No.Nill Model:Nill
43. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.JAA-038 Chassis No. HJ61-006515 Engine No.1158881 Model:1987
44. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.JAA-195 Chassis No. LJ71-0003920 Engine No.2L-1651949 Model:Nill
45. Hyundai Shehzore Reg No.KN-9544 Chassis No. AUDF-128515 Engine No.Nill Model:Nill
46. Pejero Reg No.JAA-983 Chassis No. CL0048VGJ400698 Engine No.Nill Model:Nill
47. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.BF-1912 Chassis No. HDJ81-0069846 Engine No.1HD-0163824 Model:1998
48. Shahzor Reg No.KP-6463 Chassis No. PHFGNSMXR7D138191 Engine No.D4BB6404789 Model:2007
49. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.JAC-265 Chassis No. KZJ78-0001358 Engine No.1KZ-TE-0005609 Model:NIll
50. Toyota Prado Reg No.BF-6548 Chassis No. VZJ121-0007375 Engine No.5VZ-FE3378 Model:2003
51. Toyota Land Cruiser Reg No.JAD-117 Chassis No. FZ-J80-0163691 Engine No.Nill Model:Nill
52. Toyota Premio Car Reg No.Nil Chassis No. ZRT260-3088139 Engine No.Nill Model:Nill
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FBR inducts 14 fresh chemical examiners in customs department
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Wednesday inducted 14 fresh chemical examiners (BS-16) in the Customs department.
The FBR said that consequent upon the recommendations of Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), Islamabad vide letter No.F.4-140/2019-R(FS-I), dated 18.01.2021 and having accepted the terms and conditions of appointment contained in the offer of appointment letter No.1(44)/2018-Cus-III dated 25.01.2021, the following candidates are hereby appointed as Deputy Assistant Chemical Examiner (BS-16) in the Customs Department under the Federal Board of Revenue:-
Sr# FPSC Roll # Name of the Candidates Place of posting 1 921 Muhammad Waqas Ahmad Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 2 79 Arif Ali Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 3 548 Hafiza Fatima Yasin Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 4 742 Sajjad Ali Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 5 490 Ali Qasim Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 6 1105 Shakeel Khan Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 7 586 Maham Naeem Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 8 965 Taimoor Tawseen Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-West, Karachi 9 563 Husna Sarfraz Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-East, Karachi 10 306 Sobia Noreen Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement & Facilitation-East, Karachi 11 1093 Rashid Menhas Model Customs Collectorate of Exports (Port Muhammad Bin Qasim), Karachi 12 1151 Shah Khalid Model Customs Collectorate of Exports (Port Muhammad Bin Qasim), Karachi 13 118 Ghulam Rasool Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Customs House, Karachi 14 927 Noman Saleem Model Customs Collectorate of Exports, Customs House, Karachi The FBR said that their seniority will be maintained in order of merit assigned by Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and in accordance with the Civil Servants (Seniority) Rules, 1993. Other terms and conditions of their service will be the same as already conveyed vide FBR letter dated January 25, 2021.
The officers have been advised to join the concerned Customs field formation mentioned against their names immediately but not later than March 26, 2021.
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Customs clearance of iron, steel scrap linked with LMB value
KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has linked the import value of iron and steel scrap with the prices published in London Metal Bulletin (LMB) in order to ensure smooth customs clearance, sources said on Thursday.
The sources said that the Directorate of Customs Valuation last week issued valuation ruling for iron and steel scrap after considering fluctuation in prices in the international markets and on a solution recommended by stakeholders regarding adoption of LMB prices.
The sources said that the directorate previously amended the values of iron and steel scrap through a valuation ruling issued on July 02, 2020.
However, the directorate had received recommendations from stakeholders that the values fixed for the imported goods were causing problems to importers at the clearance stage because the international market varied with demand and supply factor.
The stakeholders also recommended that prices of scrap were also published in LMB for Pakistan imports. Therefore, to ensure transparency, fairness as well as uniformity in assessment, the value should be linked with LMB prices and freight factor should be added when published prices given as FOB (freight on board).
During the meetings to review the valuation of iron and steel scrap, the stakeholders provided copies of the LMB prices and contracts values imported to Pakistan.
Considering the facts, the directorate allowed the customs clearance of iron and steel scrap at the import value published by the LMB.
However, for compressor scrap the directorate fixed $660 per metric ton as customs value for determination of duty and taxes at the time of clearance.
The importers of compressor scraps informed the directorates that 90 percent of the scrap was imported from the USA where chances of under-invoicing were minimal. They demanded that either the scrap should be excluded from ruling or its value should be reduced from current value as per the invoices of recent import values provided by them.
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FBR devises mechanism for release of consignments stuck-up at Karachi ports
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday devised a mechanism for release of imported goods of FATA/PATA residents stuck-up at Karachi ports.
A meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the FBR chairman with Inland Revenue-Operations and Customs Operations Wings to sort out the issues of imported goods of FATA/PATA residents stuck-up at Karachi Ports, Consumption/Installation Certificates, Postdated Cheques and Exemption Certificates under Section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2021.
After thorough deliberations between the Chairman, Member (IR-Operations) and Member (Customs-Operations) following mechanism was devised for the release of consignments of FATA/PATA residents stuck-up at the Karachi Ports:-
The stuck-up containers are to be released by Customs authorities against Postdated Cheques (PDCs) and sent to their destination (FATA/PATA) under standard tracker mechanism.
The Collector Customs (Enforcement & Compliance), Peshawar, will issue detention orders of the raw materials effective from day the consignment reaches the manufacturing premise of importers.
The importer/manufacturer will be responsible to take the import documents alongwith detention order to the CIR concerned, RTO, Peshawar and make arrangements to have the manufacturing premises/raw material/machinery/goods imported verified.
The CIR concerned, RTO, Peshawar will be liable to verify/undertake physical visit as conducted by the importer/manufacturer to the manufacturing premises where the goods are kept under detention, and allow the raw material to be consumed/utilized in writing.
The CIR, concerned, RTO, Peshawar will ensure the monthly stock-taking of the raw materials to consumed in the production of manufactured goods by these manufacturing units. This stock-taking will facilitate in issuance of the
Consumption Certificate under S.No.151 of the Sixth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990.
The residents of FATA/PATA will apply for tax exemption certificates under section 159 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 for the import of raw material/machinery in light of the Honorable Peshawar High Court, Mingora Bench, (Dara-ul-Qaza), Swat’s decision dated 24.11.2020.
Commissioner Corporate, RTO, Peshawar and Collector Customs (Enforcement & Compliance), Peshawar would keep a close liaison to successfully implement the laid down mechanism.
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Pakistan Customs revises valuation ruling for drinking powder
KARACHI: Pakistan Customs has issued Valuation Ruling No. 1516 for determination of duty and taxes at the time of clearance of imported food supplements (drinking powder), sources said on Wednesday.
The Directorate of Customs Valuation while issuing the valuation ruling dated February 18, 2021 stated that earlier the customs values of food supplements (drinking powder) were determined under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969 through Valuation Ruling No. 792/2016 dated January 11, 2016 read with Order in Revision No. 198/2016 dated June 15, 2016 and No. 176/2016 dated March 18, 2016.
It said that M/s. Nestle Pakistan and M/s. Unilever Pakistan had requested for re-determination of Customs values of the goods.
It further said that as the valuation ruling was very old and a considerable time had passed and significant variations in the international prices of food supplements (drinking powder) has taken place.
The directorate said that meetings were held on August 12, 2020 and October 13, 2020 with the stakeholders of the goods.
The importers/stakeholders were asked to submit documents so that customs values could be determined. The stakeholders were asked to provide following documents:
i. Invoice of import during last three months showing factual value.
ii. Websites, names and e-mail addresses of known foreign manufacturers of the item in question through which the actual current value can be ascertained.
iii. Copies of contracts made/Letter of Credit (LCs) opened during the last three months showing the value of items in question.
iv. Copies of sales tax invoices issued during last one year showing the difference in price (excluding duty and taxes) to substantiate their contention.
The directorate issued the following customs values (C&F) US$/kg:
01. Drinking Powders ‘Ovaltine’ in glass bottle: 3.66
02. Drinking Powder ‘Ovaltine’ in Plastic bottle: 3.28
03. Drinking Powder ‘Ovaltine’ in plastic bags/pouches: 3.12
04. Drinking Powder ‘Ovaltine’ in paper bag: 2.95
05. Drinking Powder’ Milo, Bournvita and Complan’ in plastic bottle: 4.43
06. Drinking Powder’ Milo, Bournvita and Complan’ in plastic bags/pouches: 3.62
07. Drinking Powder’ Milo, Bournvita and Complan’ in paper bags: 4.03
08. Drinking Powder ‘ Milo’ in tin pack: 4.63
09. Drinking Powder ‘Nesquick’ in plastic bottle: 3.92
10. Drinking Powder ‘Nesquick’ in paper bags: 4.90
11. Drinking Powder ‘Horlicks’ in plastic bottle: 3.75
12. Drinking Powder ‘Horlicks’ in paper bags: 3.60
13. Drinking Powder ‘Horlicks’ in glass bottle: 4.20
14. Drinking Powder ‘Milo’ in bulk packing (25kg or above): 2.90
The directorate said that above values do not apply to the imports made directly made by the multinational companies from their sister concerns. Such consignments shall be assessed in accordance with provisions of Section 25 of Customs Act, 1969 and kept under close watch.
Any anomaly observed may be taken cognizance of and reported to the directorate.
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Pakistan Customs impounds non-duty paid vehicles worth Rs11.3 billion
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has impounded non-duty paid motor vehicles worth Rs11.3 billion during first seven months (July – January) of the current fiscal year, said a spokesman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Sunday.
The seizure of non-duty paid motor vehicles registered growth around 66 percent as the customs authorities seized motor vehicles worth Rs6.8 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.
The customs authorities confiscated smuggled goods worth Rs35 billion during the first seven months of the current fiscal year, showing an increase of 59 percent when compared with Rs22 billion in the corresponding months of the last fiscal year. It is pertinent to mention that the total seizures during the last fiscal year was Rs36 billion.
Giving the details of the seizure, the spokesman said that the customs authorities seized smuggled betel nuts amounting Rs3.4 billion during July – January 2020/2021, which was 105 percent higher than the seizer of in the same period of the last fiscal year.
A growth of 28 percent has been recorded in seizure of smuggled clothes and 70 percent rise recorded in illicit cigarettes.
The customs authorities confiscated auto parts worth Rs492 million, recording 113 percent growth than the last fiscal year.
Pakistan Customs seized high speed diesel worth Rs899 million and jewellery worth Rs271 million during the period under review.
The spokesman added that in its ongoing crackdown against sales of smuggled petroleum products through illegal fuel stations, the customs authorities sealed around 2000 petrol pumps.
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Law authorizes customs officials to X-Ray suspects for detection of concealed goods
KARACHI: Customs authorities have been empowered to screen or X-Ray bodies of suspected persons for detection of concealed goods.
According to Customs Act, 1969, an officer not below the rank of an assistant collector of customs can order to screen or X-Ray a person for detection of concealed goods.
Section 160 of the Act explained regarding the power to screen or X-Ray bodies of suspected persons for detecting secreted goods.
(1) Where the appropriate officer has reason to believe that any person liable to search has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may detain such person and produce him without unnecessary delay before an officer of customs not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of Customs.
(2) The aforesaid officer, if he has reasonable grounds for believing that such person has any such goods secreted inside his body and that it is necessary to have the body of such person screened or X-Rayed, may make an order to that effect , or else discharge such person forthwith, except where he is held on any other grounds.
(3) Where the aforesaid officer orders such person to be screened or X-Rayed, the appropriate officer shall, as soon as practicable, take him to a radiologist possessing such qualifications as may be recognized by the Federal Government for that purpose and such person shall allow the radiologist to screen or X-Ray his body.
(4) The radiologist shall screen or X-Ray the body of such person and forward his report thereon, together with any X-Ray picture taken by him to the aforesaid officer without unnecessary delay.
(5) Where on the basis of a report from a radiologist or otherwise, the aforesaid officer is satisfied that any person has any goods liable to confiscation secreted inside his body, he may direct that suitable action for bringing such goods out of his body be taken on the advice and under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner and such person shall be bound to comply with such direction:
Provided that in the case of a female no such action shall be taken except on the advice and under the supervision of a female registered medical practitioner.
(6) Where any person is brought before an officer of customs not below the rank of an Assistant Collector of Customs as aforesaid, he may direct that pending completion of all action under this section such person be detained.
(7) No person shall be subjected to screening or X-Ray if he confesses that goods liable to confiscation are secreted inside his body and of his own consent agrees to suitable steps being taken to bring out such goods.