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  • Pakistan, Saudi Customs to exchange intelligence based information

    Pakistan, Saudi Customs to exchange intelligence based information

    ISLAMABAD: The customs authorities of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to further explore intelligence based information to strengthen mutual cooperation.

    A five-member delegation of Saudi Customs Authority visited Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), to discuss various matters of mutual interest and assistance, a statement said on Tuesday.

    The Saudi Customs delegation was headed by Muhammad AlNuaim, Deputy Governor of Security Affairs. Pakistani side was headed by Shabbar Raza Zaidi, Chairman, FBR.

    Muhammad Javed Ghani, Member (Customs-Policy), Jawwad Uwais Agha (Member-Operations) and other senior officers of Pakistan customs also participated in the meeting.

    Both sides shared their experiences in law enforcement domain and further explored avenues of future cooperation in following areas of mutual interest:

    1. Exchange of Information, on real time basis, between both countries regarding values of goods originating from both countries;

    2. Exchange of intelligence based information to effectively control illicit flow of currency;

    3. Development of authorized economic cooperation program between both countries;

    4. Profiling of advance passenger information;

    5. Cooperation between Saudi Customs and Pakistani Customs in order to arrest the senders and recipients of drugs;

    6. Exchange of post seizure and arrest investigations;

    7. Designation of contact officers for mutual cooperation;

    8. Capacity building for automation/harmonization of customs procedures.

    It was underscored that the menace of narcotics, smuggling and under invoicing/over invoicing are the primary sources of illicit financial flows (IFFs) which is inherently a global phenomenon.

    It was mutually agreed that no country can cope with these cross border challenges without ensuring international cooperation.

    Therefore, there is a dire need for both brotherly countries to support each other by all possible means of cooperation through international forums as well as Customs to Customs Cooperation under Mutual Assistance Agreements.

    AlNuaim expressed that the Saudi government give great value to its brotherly relations with the government of Pakistan.

    He informed that the Saudi government has recently introduced new monetary limits on currency which so far are not well known to the visitors from Pakistan.

    He requested to share this information by launching a public awareness campaign in this regard.

    Javed Ghani, Member (Customs-Policy) ensured cooperation and informed that the control of currency smuggling is one of the prime priorities of present regime.

    Therefore, declaration of currency has now been made mandatory and FBR has taken various legal and administrative actions to improve interdictory regime against currency smuggling.

    Jawwad Uwais Agha gave brief details of the National Single Window (NSW) and told the delegates that this initiative provides a complete framework for intra agency cooperation in Pakistan.

    The delegation was apprised that at national level, Risk Based Mitigation Secretary (RBMS) has been evolved after taking due input from all stake holder agencies including Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Anti Narcotics Force, Airport Security Force and Pakistan Customs.

    Under RBMS, a totally new institutional apparatus has been setup with a dedicated Directorate, namely, Cross Border Currency Movement (CBMC) within the Directorate General of Customs Intelligence & Investigation to address the risks of cash smuggling.

    This measure has turned out very successful as in FY 2018-2019 total 487 million rupees were seized under its intelligence sharing against 157 million rupees in the FY 2017-2018.

    The Saudi delegation appreciated these efforts and showed keen interest in the project of National Single Window, National Targeting Centre and Advance Passenger Information Systems (APIS).

    Both sides unanimously agreed that there exists huge scope for enhanced cooperation between both the countries which will help them to address a wide range of problems originating from currency smuggling, narcotics and mis-declarations.

  • Customs stops goods removal from EPZ without authority

    Customs stops goods removal from EPZ without authority

    In a bid to tighten regulatory oversight and prevent unauthorized movement of goods, Pakistan Customs has barred customs agents from removing goods from Export Processing Zones (EPZ) without a proper authority letter issued by the relevant investor or importer.

    (more…)
  • FBR directs IR, Customs offices to ensure taxpayer friendly environment

    FBR directs IR, Customs offices to ensure taxpayer friendly environment

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Thursday directed all offices of Inland Revenue and Pakistan Customs to ensure a clean and friendly environment in the offices across the country.

    The FBR directed that all the offices of Inland Revenue and Pakistan Customs should maintain the highest level of cleanliness.

    Sitting areas for visitors should be clean and well lit. Janitorial staff should be directed to maintain the cleanliness of offices and washrooms for officers, staff and visitors.

    Parking space for officers should be clearly market and there should be reserved parking space for visiting taxpayers, tax practitioners, lawyers, chartered accountants and other visitors. The concerned officers should carry out periodic inspection of their respective premises and take necessary steps to ensure a clean working environment.

    As FBR and its field formations receive a very large number of visitors on a daily basis, the concerned staff should extend necessary courtesy and respect to visiting taxpayers.

    All sitting areas specified for visitors should have ample seating arrangements with availability of clean drinking water.

    Keeping in view the overall security situation, each field office must chalk out a detailed security plan which must be strictly adhered.

    The FBR further said that all security cameras should be made operational and video feed must be constantly monitored.

    The FBR also directed the offices to contribute towards tree plantation campaign of the government by planting trees in their offices and residential colonies. The respective staff be directed to ensure maintenance and care of the green areas.

    The FBR would conduct spot visit of field offices to verify compliance of the directions.

  • Procedure issued to sanction sales tax refund claims of importers

    Procedure issued to sanction sales tax refund claims of importers

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued procedure for sanctioning refund claims on sales tax collected against imported goods.

    The FBR issued SRO 918(I)/2019 on Thursday to amend Sales Tax Rules, 2006.

    A new rule 34A is inserted related to sanction of refund claims of import-related sales tax by the collectorates of customs.

    The FBR said that sales tax refund filed by an importer for import-related sales tax paid in excess due to inadvertence, error or misconception, or as result of a competent adjudication or appellate authority, claimed within the period as prescribed under section 66 of the Act, may be decided and allowed by the concerned officer of Customs, not below the rank of an Assistant Collector subject to sub-rules (2) and (3) below.

    (2) In the case of registered person while applying for refund to the concerned Customs Collectorate, the applicant must endorse a copy of the refund application to the Refund Division of the concerned RTO or LTU. The concerned Collectorate of Customs shall not process the claim unless a confirmation from suchInland Revenue office, that no adjustment or payment of the amount claimed in refund has been made, has been received.

    The concerned RTO or LTU on receipt of a reference from Collectorate of Customs shallcommunicate such confirmation, or otherwise, within thirty days of receipt of the reference.

    (3) In case of an unregistered importer, the refund shall be processed by the concerned Customs Collectoratewithout prior reference to RTO or LTU.

    (4) The sales tax refund files after issuance of refund payment order by the relevant Customs officer shall be sent through proper channel, in the case of registered person to the RTO or LTU concerned, and in the case of unregistered person to the nearest RTO where the customs station is located. The refund sanctioning authority of the Customs Collectorate shall mention the number and date, etc. of RTO’s or LTU’s confirmation of regarding non-adjustment of tax involved or non-payment of refund, if applicable, in his sanction order.

    (5) On receipt of such sanction order from Customs Collectorate by the concerned officer-in-charge in RTO or LTU, he shall make the entry of the sanction order in the Computerized System, and after obtaining permission of the Commissioner concerned, generate RPO of the sanctioned amount for electronic transmission to CSTRO. The amount of such sales tax refund shall be debited from the head of sales tax (on imports).

  • FBR imposes major penalty on four customs officials

    FBR imposes major penalty on four customs officials

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has imposed major penalty on four customs officials for misconduct and inefficiency.

    The FBR on Monday issued four different office orders to imposed major penalty including demotion to lower grade and compulsory retirement.

    The FBR imposed the major penalty of “Reduction to the lower post of UDC” upon Qamar Jamal, Appraising Officer (BS-16), Model Customs Collectorate of Port Muhammad Bin Qasim. The FBR found the official guilty of misconduct and inefficiency.

    The FBR imposed the major penalty of “Reduction to the lower post of Appraising Officer” upon Amir Ahmad Samoo, Principal Appraiser (BS-16), Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement-West, Karachi. The FBR found the official guilty of misconduct and inefficiency.

    The FBR imposed the major penalty of “Compulsory Retirement” upon Rao Muhammad Aslam, Appraising Officer/ (Examiner) (BS-16), Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement-East, Karachi. The FBR found the official guilty of misconduct and inefficiency.

    The FBR imposed the major penalty of “Reduction to a lower post of UDC” upon Nasir Iqbal, Inspector (BS-16) (Posted as Examining Officer) in Model Customs Collectorate (Appraisement-West), Karachi. The FBR found the official guilty of misconduct and inefficiency.

  • FBR notifies transfers of eight BS-16 customs officials

    FBR notifies transfers of eight BS-16 customs officials

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Tuesday notified transfers and postings of eight BS-16 officers of Customs Department with immediate effect and until further.

    Following officers have been transferred and posted:

    01. Asad Ali Shah (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Superintendent, Directorate of Transit Trade, Peshawar from the post of Superintendent, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    02. Imtiaz Ahmed Afridi (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Superintendent Preventive Services, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Peshawar from the post of Superintendent Preventive Services, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    03. Irshad Akbar (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Inspector, Directorate of Transit Trade, Peshawar from the post of Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    04. Nisar Ahmad Abbasi (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Inspector, Directorate of Transit
    Trade, Peshawar from the post of Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    05. Muhammad Ayaz (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Peshawar from the post of Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    06. Abdul Waheed (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Peshawar from the post of Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    07. Rafiullah (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Peshawar from the post of Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    08. Zia ul Haq (Customs Department/BS-16) has been transferred and posted as Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Preventive, Peshawar from the post of Inspector, Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement, Peshawar.

    The FBR said that the officers who are drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notification shall continue to draw this allowance on the new place of posting.

  • Pakistan Customs deploys staff for round the clock operation at Torkham border

    Pakistan Customs deploys staff for round the clock operation at Torkham border

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has deployed additional staff at Torkham border to activate round the clock operation to facilitate trade, a statement said on Friday.

    It said that in compliance with the directions of Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Pakistan Customs has deputed additional staff at Torkham border to facilitate trade and expedite clearance of baggage and cargo.

    In this regard, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Establishment matters Arbab Shezad had convened meetings to address the matter on war footing, accordingly Dr. Jawwad Uwais Agha, Member Customs (Operations), Federal Board of Revenue, Islamabad has deployed a large number of customs personnel to cater to the urgent requirements at Torkham Customs.

    While elaborating FBR’s seriousness, Chairman FBR Syed Shabbar Zaidi said that the exports and Transit to Afghanistan bear much promise for expansion of the customs operations at Torkham and the customs department being the premier agency has put its teams in place to brace upto this situation.

    Chairman further informed that around 12 thousand passengers traverse across this border station daily and their facilitation and baggage clearance is an area being addressed by Customs, besides around 300 empty containers (after offloading their cargo in Afghanistan) are also sent back daily from the Afghan side.

    To implement the directions, 54 customs personnel consisting of Superintendents, Appraisers, Inspectors and other supporting staff have been withdrawn from other formations and deployed at Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement Peshawar for Torkham.

    Although the customs formations are badly short in strength and request for creation of different posts is under consideration of Finance Department, however in order to give compliance to the directions of Prime Ministers Advisor on Establishment and the urgent need for expansion of the operations at Torkham, the Member (Customs Operations) has made all efforts and withdrawn customs staff for deployment in order to facilitate and expand the trade at Torkham.

    The customs clearance will be managed through three shifts. The day and night customs clearance operations will greatly facilitate the import and export at Torkham leading to significant reduction of transport charges and fast movement of trade.

    As a prelude the customs operations have already been expanded starting from 7.00 A.M. in the morning till 9.00 pm, since the past two months. The senior Customs Operations hierarchy have paid visit to Torkham to ensure launch of these operations in the coming days.

    The connecting requirements for equipments and support apparatus are being placed on ground through the cooperation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

    The said operations for round the clock are going to be started shortly for which formal ceremony will also take place in the presence of federal government high ups and FBR administration.

  • Pakistan Customs seizes huge quantity of Indian white sugar

    Pakistan Customs seizes huge quantity of Indian white sugar

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has seized huge quantity of Indian origin white sugar, which was to be used in Afghanistan.

    Pakistan Customs Directorate General of Afghan Transit has seized a huge number of Indian origin consignments mis-declared as ‘White Sugar’, destined to be consumed in Afghanistan, said a statement on Friday.

    After confirmation through laboratory tests, the sugar is found to be “unfit for human consumption. So far 4472 Metric Tons in172 Containers out of 258 Containers have been tested by Laboratories and reported as ‘unfit for human consumption’, the rest of the 2236 Metric Tons (86 containers) are under investigation, the statement said.

    The harmful intake of this ‘expired sugar’ emanating foul smell and having turned brownish in colour would have seriously endangered the health of Afghan nationals had it made its way to the markets in Afghanistan.

    In continuing to play its mandated role in ‘Protection of Society’, Customs at the operational level is further enhancing its enforcement efforts and information network, without compromising on trade facilitation.

  • FBR reshuffles BS-16 officials in Customs intelligence and investigation

    FBR reshuffles BS-16 officials in Customs intelligence and investigation

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on July 15, 2019 notified transfers and postings of following BS-16 officials of Customs Department with immediate effect and until further orders.

    01. Fareed-ud-Din Masood, Superintendent from Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Hyderabad to Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Hyderabad.

    02. Muhammad Akhtar, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar to MCC, Preventive, Peshawar.

    03. Jawad Sultan, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar to MCC, Preventive, Peshawar.

    04. Muhammad Yousaf, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar to MCC, Preventive, Peshawar.

    05. Mir Sahib, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar to MCC, Appraisement, Peshawar.

    06. Yaqoob Shah, Inspector from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar to MCC, Appraisement, Peshawar

    07. Habib Ullah, Inspector Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar to MCC, Appraisement, Peshawar.

    08. Sohail Khan, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Peshawar to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar.

    09.Syed Nasir Ali Shah, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Peshawar to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar.

    10. Said Zaman, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Peshawar to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar.

    11. Muhammad Chan Zeb, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Peshawar to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar.

    12. Muhammad Imtiaz Baig, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Peshawar to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar.

    13. Abdul Waheed, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Peshawar to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Peshawar.

    14. Mujeeb Akber Jalbani, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Hyderabad to MCC, Hyderabad.

    15. Nadeem Hussain Isran, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Hyderabad to MCC, Hyderabad.

    16. Shah Muhammad, Inspector from MCC, Hyderabad to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Hyderabad.

    17. Iftikhar Ahmad, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Appraisement, Lahore.

    18. Zulfiqar Ali, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Appraisement, Lahore.

    19. Muhammad Ali, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Appraisement, Lahore.

    20. Muhammad Sohail Iqbal, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Appraisement, Lahore.

    21. Abid Iqbal, Inspector from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Appraisement, Lahore.

    22. Agha Nasim Ullah, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Appraisement, Lahore.

    23. Hamid Babar, Inspector from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Appraisement, Lahore.

    24. Nadeem Ahsan, Inspector from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Preventive, Lahore.

    25. Saeed Iqbal, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Preventive, Lahore.

    26. Sohail Murtaza, Inspector from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Preventive, Lahore.

    27. Agha Sultan Haider, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Preventive, Lahore.

    28. Abdul Hameed Bhatti, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore to MCC, Preventive, Lahore.

    29. Bashir Tabassum, Intelligence Officer from Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Quetta to MCC, Preventive, Quetta.

    30. Muhammad Shabbir Khan, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Quetta to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Quetta.

    31. Ali Raza Bhatti, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    32. Noman Ashraf, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    33. M. Akmal Shahzad, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    34. Salman Ahmed, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    35. Muhammad Ali, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    36. Fazal Mehmood Jahangir, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    37. Muhammad Naeem, Inspector from MCC, Appraisement, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    38. Syed Tanveer Hussain Shah, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    39. Muhammad Yasin, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    40. Allah Ditta, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    41. Younas Qadri, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    42. Muhammad Aslam Ch, Inspector from MCC, Preventive, Lahore to Dte. of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, Lahore.

    The FBR said that the Officers who are drawing performance allowance prior to issuance of this notification shall continue to draw the allowance on their new place of posting.

  • FBR directs customs to ensure retail price print on imported goods

    FBR directs customs to ensure retail price print on imported goods

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed customs authorities to ensure printing of retail prices on imported goods for collection of sales tax while clearance of consignments.

    The Inland Revenue Policy Wing issued directives on Wednesday to Inland Revenue and Customs for the implementation of changes brought in to Sales Tax Act, 1990 through Finance Act, 2019.

    It said that the locally manufactured goods specified in Third Schedule are already chargeable to sales tax on the basis of retail price.

    Now, through amendment in section 3(2)(a) of Sales Tax Act, 1990, retail price taxation has also been made applicable to imported goods.

    The importers are required to print the retail price in the manner prescribed in the aforesaid clause and such goods shall be assessed on the basis of declared retail price and not on the basis of customs value under section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969.

    “All Model Customs Collectorates (MCCs) are requested to ensure that the declared retail prices are duly printed in the prescribed manner and that the sales tax is charged on the basis of such declared retail price,” the FBR said.

    Twelve new serial numbers have been added to Third Schedule through Finance Act, 2019 such as electric and gas appliances, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws biscuits, tiles etc.

    The FBR directed Large Taxpayers Units (LTUs) / Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) / MCCs should ensure application accordingly.

    The FBR defined the value of supply, which has been amended to provide for application of retail price taxation to imported goods, and also to incorporate provisions from rescinded rules and STGOs.

    These modifications are enumerated below:

    Amendment in clause (d) to exclude imported Third Schedule items from purview of application of ‘customs value’ determined under section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969. These items are to be assessed on the basis of declared retail price. Further such price is also required to be printed on imported goods as stipulated in clause (a) of section 3(2) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990.

    (ii) Substitution of clause (f) in section 2(46) pertains to value of supply in case of toll manufacturing, which has defined to be the charges received in lieu of value addition carried out on goods;

    (iii) Newly added clause (h) defines value to be energy purchase price in case of supply by IPPs; and

    (iv) Another new clause (i) transposes the provisions relating to exclusion of late payment surcharge from value, in case of supply of electricity and gas by the distribution companies, from the rescinded Sales Tax Special Procedures Rules, 2007.