Pkrevenue.com

Tag: Pakistan Customs

  • Customs officials to get reward only after realization of duty, taxes

    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

    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.

    (more…)
  • Importers ID to be blocked for one year on contravening packing list

    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.

  • Pakistan customs assures early disposal of valuation ruling issues

    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.

  • KCAA appreciates customs clearance during Eid Holidays

    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.

  • FBR appoints CEO for Pakistan Single Window Company

    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.

  • Customs needs to improve performance: Karachi Chamber

    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.

  • Tourists allowed retaining motor vehicles without duty, taxes for six months

    Tourists allowed retaining motor vehicles without duty, taxes for six months

    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…)
  • Pakistan Customs launches automated scanning of imported consignments

    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.

  • Gwadar free zone becomes operational as Pakistan Customs clears first consignment

    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.