The introduction of biometric verification for registration on the PSW portal marks a significant milestone in streamlining customs procedures and improving the overall experience for traders.
(more…)Tag: Pakistan Single Window
-
Karachi Chamber connects with Pakistan Single Window
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has become the first chamber in the country to launch NADRA e-Sahulat for the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) portal.
(more…) -
New export facilitation scheme implements from August 14
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday said the new export facilitation scheme will be applicable from August 14, 2021.
The FBR has notified Rules for new Export Facilitation Scheme 2021 which will be effective from 14th August, 2021, a statement said.
New Export Facilitation Scheme has been approved by the Federal Government and passed by Parliament under Finance Act 2021.
This Scheme will run parallel with existing schemes like Manufacturing Bond, DTRE and Export Oriented Schemes for two year.
The existing old schemes shall be phased out in next two years and will be fully replaced by Export Facilitation Scheme-2021. EFS 2021 Rules can be accessed at the official website of FBR.
Users of this Scheme will include Exporters (Manufacturers cum Exporters, Commercial Exporters, Indirect Exporters), Common Export Houses, Vendors and International Toll Manufacturers.
Users of this Scheme shall be subject to authorization of inputs by the Collector of Customs and Director General Input Output Organization (IOCO).
Inputs include all goods (imported or procured local) for manufacture of goods to be exported. These include raw materials, spare parts, components, equipment, plant and machinery.
No duty and taxes shall be levied on inputs imported by the authorized users and local supplies of inputs to the authorized users shall be zero rated.
Through this new Scheme Common Export House will import inputs duty and tax free for subsequent sale to the authorized users especially SMEs. This Scheme has also allowed International Toll manufacturing within Pakistan.
Under the said scheme, minimum but necessary documentation and securities based on category and profile of the applicant, user or exporter will be required. This scheme will encourage new entrants and SMEs.
This Scheme will be completely automated under WeBOC and PSW where users of the Scheme and regulators (IOCO, Regulator Collector, PCA etc.) shall be integrated through WeBOC and PSW and communicate through these systems.
The focus of the Scheme is on post clearance compliance checks and audits. Under this new Scheme, authorization and utilization period has been enhanced from two years to five years
It is expected that Export Facilitation Scheme 2021 shall reduce cost of doing business and cost of tax compliance, improve ease of doing business, reduce liquidity problems of exporters by eliminating Sales Tax refunds and Duty Drawback for the users of Scheme and shall attract more users and shall ultimately promote exports.
-
Form-E requirement to be abolished for PSW exports
KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Friday said that requirement of Electronic Form-E (EFE) will be eliminated for carrying out exports through Pakistan Single Window (PSW).
In this regard SBP has notified revisions in foreign exchange regulations for export of goods from Pakistan (Chapter 12 of the Foreign Exchange Manual).
The key changes include amendments in regulations to facilitate export transactions through the Pakistan Single Window when it becomes operational.
This will eliminate the requirement of Electronic Form-E (EFE) for carrying out exports from Pakistan.
Another key amendment introduced in the revised export regulations is the framework for facilitating Pakistani exporters/ entrepreneurs to sell their products through international digital marketplaces including Amazon, e-Bay, Ali Baba under Business to Business to Consumer (B2B2C) e-Commerce model.
These regulations would pave the way for Pakistani exporters particularly the SME exporters to reach out to millions of international consumers for selling their products. This would open up the window of new opportunities for the Pakistani business community and result in boosting the economic activity and creation of new employment opportunities in the entire value chain.
It is pertinent to mention here that considering the market dynamics and keeping pace with changing business environment, SBP is in process of revising the foreign exchange regulations, in consultation with relevant stakeholders in a phased manner. The primary objective of these revisions is to promote ease of doing business by simplifying the existing instructions, removing the redundancies and delegating more powers to the Authorized Dealers for facilitation of the stakeholders.
Earlier, SBP and Pakistan Customs had joined hands in 2015 and switched from manual export form to electronic export form by implementing EFE Module in WeBOC system. EFE is an electronic declaration submitted by exporters to the Pakistan Customs and is required before filing of Goods Declaration to the Pakistan Customs for clearance of each export consignment. However, once the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) becomes operational, the requirement for EFE will be eliminated thus enhancing ease of doing business for exporters. PSW system is a facility that will allow parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements. The system will help reduce the time and cost of doing business by making trade related business processes more efficient, transparent and consistent.
-
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.
-
President signs Pakistan Single Window Act
ISLAMABAD: President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi on Friday signed the Pakistan Single Window Act, 2021, a statement said.
Under the Pakistan Single Window Act, an independent institution having a Governing Council and Secretariat, would be established for the facilitation of national and international trade.
The new law will provide a coordinated one-window system to facilitate exports, imports and transit trade.
Establishment of an independent institution besides reducing the cost of doing business will also help ease cross border trade and transportation of goods.
The institution will also help in timely processing of data and bring about improvement in the provision of quality services.
The President also signed Senate Secretariat Services (Amendment), Act 2021.
Under the Senate Secretariat Services (Amendment) Act 2021, signed into law by the President under article 75 of the Constitution, the BS-17 appointments in Senate Secretariat will be made through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
However, the Senate Secretariat would be authorized to make appointments in BS-1 to BS-16.
Direct appointments in BS-18 in Senate Secretariat have been done away with. The absorption of officers, posted in Senate Secretariat on deputation, has also been prohibited under the new law.
-
FBR chairman inaugurates head office of Pakistan Single Window
ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Javed Ghani, Chiarman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday inaugurated the head office of Pakistan Single Window (PSW) Company.
On the occasion, Chairman FBR lauded efforts of Pakistan Customs to roll out Pakistan Singe Window (PSW) System almost a year before its deadline of June, 2022 set under World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. He also appreciated Customs for reducing the project cost from initial estimates of USD 163 million to USD 67 million through indigenous development effort.
The Prime Minister had tasked Customs to complete this highly transformational project for reducing time, cost and complication while ensuring better compliances with cross border trade regulations. To ensure that this new system is timely implemented and sustainably maintained, the PSW Company has been operationalized by FBR.
The PSW Company is now enabling the Government of Pakistan to maintain complete ownership of this mission critical system of strategic national importance as it would handle entire cross border trade, related logistics and financial transactions.
Member Customs Operation S.M Tariq Huda stated on the occasion that Customs Administration was leveraging its expertise in automation for PSW to support a wide array of other public and private sector entities involved in regulation of imports, exports & transit trade. The ongoing digitization of related public sector entities under this project will substantially improve their efficiency.
PSW is instrumental for Pakistan to become a preferred route for international transit and transshipment besides it will help integrate upcoming national, regional and global single window systems. PSW will boost exports, help attract FDI and enable better integration into global value chains. It will also serve as the Trade Information Portal of Pakistan.
-
FBR issues draft rules for enrollment in Pakistan Single Window
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday notified draft rules for enrollment in Pakistan Single Window (PSW) for the facilitation of trade and business.
The FBR issued SRO 164(I)/2021 to notify draft amendments in Customs Rules, 2001.
The revenue body invited feedback from the stakeholders within 15 days for finalization of the proposed rules.
According to the draft rules:
“431A. Enrollment in Pakistan Single Window (PSW).- (1) Subject to electronic verification, the subscribers who are required to be enrolled in the Customs Computerized System by electronic means through the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) interface shall, for obtaining unique user identifier (HID), follow the process outlined hereinafter, namely:-
(a) the subscriber shall provide the following particulars through the electronic interface of PSW:-
National Tax Number (NTN), Free Tax Number (FTN) and Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN);
in case of a company Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)’s Registration Number or Computer-Generated Unique Identification Number (CUIN);
Subscriber identification module (SIM) card number or by such other name registered in the name of the subscriber;
Biometric verification from the National Database and Registration Authority’s e-Sahulat centers;
Email address of the subscriber as appearing in IRIS; and digital bank account number duly authorized by State Bank of Pakistan.
(b) the PSW interface shall through electronic means verify the particulars listed above which may include NTN, CUIN, and SIM card and Bank account number etc. from the concerned authorities and issue One Time Password (OTP) via registered email and SIM card number;
(c) subscription fee shall be charged by the PSW through digital means as per clause (a) of rule 426; (d) the PSW system shall by electronic means issue UID to the eligible subscribers fulfilling the requirements as per clauses (a), (b) and (c) ;
(e) the UID of the subscriber shall remain valid and active for a period of two years or as may be determined, however, a notice not less than fifteen days before the inactivation of the UID shall be given to the subscriber before deactivating his UID, whether through electronic or manual means. The Collector of Customs having jurisdiction may however, immediately deactivate the UID of a subscriber for reasons to be recorded in writing;
A subscriber whose UID got deactivated through lapse of time or persistent not use of not less than two years, shall reapply for subscription in the same manner as a new subscriber applies for UID which shall inter alia include payment of subscription fee afresh;
The subscriber having a valid and active UID shall be entitled to avail all the privileges made available in the Subscription Module of the PSW;
Customs agents as licensed under section 207 of the Act shall be allowed to tie onetime goods declaration in respect of persons having a valid Computerized National Identity Card Number after approval from an officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector having jurisdiction and provision of the particulars listed in clause (a)-above; and
Any subscribers, not appearing on the Active Taxpayers List of either Income Tax or Sales Tax, shall be allowed issuance of UID, however, during the time of their inactive status they shall not be allowed any exemptions or concessions etc., as the case may be.
(2) The subscriber shall be responsible for the authenticity of the information provided, security of his password, data shared or retrieved from the PSW, ethical use of the system and any failure to exercise due care in the use of PSW or compromising its digital systems or conniving with any person who intend to get unauthorized access to the PSW, shall be liable to penal action under the law for the time being in force. No subscriber shall assign, sublet or allow any person to use his biometric verification, NTN, password, SIM card number or any other particulars under any circumstances whatsoever and such subscriber shall be responsible for using any of his digital particulars for the purposes of subscription only to extent relevant to the PSW interface.
(3) In order to facilitate, educate or assist the subscribers of PSW, the Model Customs Collectorates listed below shall designate an officer not below the rank of an Assistant Collector as Assistant Collector (Facilitation) namely: –
Model Customs Collectorate of Appraisement and Facilitation (East-Karachi)/Quetta/Lahore/Peshawar/Faisalabad;
Model Customs Collectorate Gwadar/Hyderabad/Sialkot/Islamabad/Gilgit: Baltistan; and
Model Customs Collectorate of Enforcement and Compliance, Multan.
(4) This rule shall apply to all the subscribers of the Customs Computerized System through the PSW interface till such time and to such categories of subscribers as the Board may determine.”