ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has achieved a significant milestone by seizing smuggled goods worth Rs3.8 billion in July 2020, marking a 143 percent increase compared to the same month last year, according to a statement released on Thursday.
(more…)Tag: smuggling
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Security forces to provide monthly details of confiscated smuggled goods to FBR
ISLAMABAD: Security forces engaged in anti-smuggling activities to submit monthly seizure report to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The FBR issued SRO 578, 579 and 580(I)/2020 to amend Customs Act, 1969 making it mandatory for security forces to furnish monthly report of seizure report to the customs authorities.
The FBR has entrusted Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Pakistan Coast Guards to exercise the powers of customs authorities in preventing smuggling.
The Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps have been authorized to exercise powers of customs officials against smuggling since 2010. Meanwhile, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Pakistan Coast Guards was entrusted to exercise powers of customs officials since 2014.
The FBR every year extends the authority in the month of June. Through the latest SROs the FBR extended the powers till June 30, 2021.
As per the SROs the law enforcement agencies are required to provide details of seized goods/vehicles handed over to Pakistan Customs in a month to the Collector of Customs (Enforcement and Compliance) within their respective jurisdiction by 5th day of each month.
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Illegal trading of currency, gold to be liable for imprisonment up to 14 years
KARACHI: Passengers or crew members found involved in illegal trading of currency, gold or precious stones to be convicted with up to 14 years imprisonment along with huge amount of fine and penalty.
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Convicted persons to display names at business places
KARACHI: A person, who is convicted in an office of smuggling, is required to display notice of conviction for a period of three months.
If the person fails to do so the he commits further offence.
Under the updated Customs Act, 1969, the section 189 of the Act granted made it compulsory for a person who is convicted for the offence of smuggling to display the notice of conviction.
Section 189: Notice of conviction to be displayed
Sub-Section (1) Upon the conviction of any person for the offence of smuggling, the Federal Government may require him to exhibit in or outside, or both in and outside his place of business, if any, notices, of such number, size and lettering, and placed in such positions and containing such particulars relating to conviction as it may determine, and to keep them so exhibited continuously for a period not less than three months from the date of conviction; and, if he fails to comply fully with the requirement, he shall be deemed to have committed a further offence under this Act of the nature of the original offence for which he was convicted.
Sub-Section (2): If any person so convicted refuses or fails to comply fully with any such requirement, any officer authorized in that behalf by an order of the Federal Government in writing may, without prejudice to any proceedings which may be brought in respect of any such refusal or failure, affix the notices in or outside, or both in and outside, the place of business of such person in accordance with the requirement of the Federal Government in pursuance of sub-section (1).
Sub-Section (3): If, in any case, the Federal Government is satisfied that the exhibition of notices in accordance with the requirements of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) will not effectively bring the conviction to the notice of persons dealing with the convicted person, the Federal Government may, in lieu of, or in addition to any such requirement, require the convicted person to exhibit for such period, not being a period less than three months, on such stationery used in his business as may be specified in the requirement, a notice placed in such position and printed in type of such size and form and containing such particulars relating to the conviction as may be specified in the requirement; and, if he fails to comply fully with the requirement, he shall be deemed to have committed a further offence under this Act of the nature of the original offence for which he was convicted.
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Border markets, warehouses to be established to contain smuggling: Member Customs
KARACHI: Pakistan Customs to set up border markets and border warehouses all border crossing of the country to contain smuggling, a top official of Pakistan Customs said.
A statement released by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Monday quoted Jawwad Agha, Member Customs (Operations) as saying that on the instructions of the Prime Minister Imran Khan is being prepared under which border markets and border warehouse would be established at all border crossing of the country to contain the smuggling.
Jawwad Agha in response to the FPCCI president suggestion regarding restoration of 20 days period for clearance of imported or exported goods from 15 days said that the period was reduced to 15 days due to avoid port terminal congestion.
However, in case of default particularly for the LCL he agreed to consider downward revision of heavy penalty which at present Rs. 5000/- per day. Regarding reduction in utilization period from 24 monthsof input acquired for manufacture and export of output goods under DTRE, he informed that the time was reduced to boost the manufacturing and exports of goods and advised the importers to complete the cycle of manufacturing of goods within the stipulated time.
In response to a suggestion for data exchange between Pakistani and Chinese customs agencies to curb under-invoicing, the Member Customs (Operations), FBR informed that during the Prime Minister’s visit to China the agreement has been signed and would be initiated soon.
Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, FPCCI President in his recommendations said that in order to facilitate the exports, the government should introduce a new scheme for imports-cum-exports of packing material whereby a notified percentage of inputs may be allowed to be imported at zero rate duties against FOB value of exports of Previous year with flexibility to import any product among the notified list in any quantity within the overall entitlement of the exporter.
Similarly Garment and Home Textile industry be facilitated by allowing duty free import of Accessories up to 10 percent of last year export performance, which should be added automatically in WeBOC of Manufacturer Cum Exporter ID after closing of 30th June every year on the basis of record available in WeBoc.
Exporter should be allowed to use it in exports without the condition of mentioning these goods in Export goods declaration.
However, if an Exporter is required to imports accessories/packing material in excess of 10% then he may use (SRO-492), (SRO 327-Export oriented unit) and (SRO 450-Manufacturing Bond). New Exporter may also use SRO 492(I)/2009 dated June 13, 2009 in first year to make their performance.
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FBR to issue procedure to document non-duty paid fast moving consumer goods
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will issue procedure for documenting smuggled and non-duty paid fast moving consumer goods (FMCG).
In a tweet message on Saturday, FBR Chairman Syed Shabbar Zaidi said that the FBR was working in developing a ‘expeditious settlement’ of ‘non duty paid’ fast moving consumer goods available in the market.
He said that the tax machinery would release details next week.
“The purpose is to facilitate businessmen and improve documentation without disturbing business confidence,” he added.
Recently, teams constituted by the FBR conducted physical survey of main markets and shopping centers/plazas to identify the presence of non-duty paid and smuggled goods.
The FBR teams inspected imported products including garments, cosmetics, watches, toys, gift items, batteries, cigar, leather goods, designer bags etc.
The sources said that the teams had identified smuggled and non-duty paid goods at big retails outlets.
The FBR on August 17, 2019 decided to launch monitoring the presence of smuggled goods in main shopping markets across the country from this month. It was also decided to launch the monitoring by joint teams of Inland Revenue and Pakistan Customs.
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) recently in a letter to the FBR chairman the chairman highlighted the magnitude of smuggled/illegal goods.
“There is not a single study to identify the complete magnitude of illegal trade in Pakistan but it is estimated that approximately 60 percent of the total demand for products of over half a dozen sectors of the formal economy, including petroleum, tea, mobile phones and auto parts industry, is met only through smuggling.”
It said that bulk quantity of illegal/smuggled goods is available and these goods were mainly affecting sectors including petroleum, tea, mobile phones and auto parts industry.
Highlighting the impact of illegal trade, the OICCI said: “virtually all major organized crime groups are not involved in the trade, resulting from huge profits but little risk, and whilst utilizing the services of children and slave labor.”
These groups do not pay taxes, nor do they pay fair wages, and there is zero traceability of funds generated from the trade and their eventual disposition, the OICCI said, added: “More often than not, these funds may be redirected to terrorism, and money laundering.”
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Customs foils bid to smuggle explosive material in garb of toys consignment
KARACHI: Customs authorities have foiled a bid to smuggle explosive material into Pakistan in the garb of toy consignments, a statement said on Saturday.
According to details Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Port Muhammad Bin Qasim foiled the bid to smuggle into Pakistan a consignment of explosive filled fireworks/firecrackers in the garb of toys and fun fair items.
M/s. Abrar Traders, Lahore, through his clearing agent A R Logistics has filed the goods declaration for clearance of imported assorted toys and fun fair items.
However, upon detail examination scrutiny by the collectorate staff, fireworks and fireworks crackers guns were found willfully concealed within the cartons of assorted toys.
The explosive/firecrackers are restricted items as per Import Policy Order and prone to smuggling under Section 2(s) of the Customs Act, 1969.
Accordingly, the collectorate seized the consignment and lodged an FIR. Further investigations are underway.
Mumtaz Ali Khoso, the collector of customs, appreciated the examination staff for detecting the case and reiterated the resolve not to allow any illegal activity at Port Qasim by unscrupulous elements.
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Customs seizes huge quantity smuggled diesel oil in deep sea operation
KARACHI: Customs authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle large quantity of Iranian diesel oil into Pakistan, officials said on Thursday.
The officials said that Pakistan Customs Preventive Marine Section had conducted an operation against smugglers near Gwadar.
The customs authorities intercepted two boats in deep waters for search, which resulted in discovery of 22,000 liters of Iranian diesel oil, which was meant to smuggle into Pakistan.
The total value of diesel oil has been estimated at Rs2.1 million.
The customs authorities seized the diesel oil as well as both the boats. The value of seized boats has been estimated at Rs30 million.
The preventive officials said around 32.1 million worth diesel oil and boats were seized in the operation.
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FBR starts air travelers’ monitoring to detect money launderers, drug smugglers
ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has launched passenger profiling system at international airports to curb money laundering and drug smuggling.
A statement on Thursday said that Pakistan Customs, a wing of the FBR, has launched a specialized Risk Management System for passenger profiling at all major international airports in Pakistan.
This exercise is part of the Customs Border Management Initiative (BMI) recently approved by the prime minister.
The Passenger Profiling System, “Global Travelers Assessment System” (GTAS) is now operational at seven major airports of the country for which Customs staff has been adequately trained.
Moreover, World Customs Organization (WCO) and US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) have provided Technical assistance for deployment and implementation of the project.
The system is capable of carrying out passenger profiling and targeting through Advance Passenger Information (API) and Passenger Name Record Information (PNR) for interdiction of suspected travelers, drug smugglers and money-launders etc. while adhering to the requirements of FATF action plan.
It will also help in creating profiles of passengers travelling to and from Pakistan and generate risk indicators in advance using a proactive methodology for effective border management.
According to Chairman FBR Syed ShabbarZaidi, the GTAS will also enable Customs to achieve the “Invisible Customs approach” with least presence at airports while facilitating the genuine passengers.
The Chairman has also directed Member Customs Operations to ensure adequate training sessions for customs officers while initiating data sharing with border agencies which will serve as a targeting portal for all law enforcement agencies at Pakistan Customs National Targeting Centre.
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Customs directed to verify seized vehicles carrying smuggled goods
ISLAMABAD: Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has directed customs authorities to launch verification of seized vehicles carrying smuggled goods.
A statement issued on Monday, the FBR chairman directed the customs field offices to identify smuggled items and take strict action against offenders.
On the instructions of Syed Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman FBR, Customs Wing has issued instructions to all its field formations to verify the genuineness of all seized conveyances being used to transport smuggled goods through verification from Forensic Science Laboratory, Registration Database of Excise & Taxation Department and Customs Clearance documents.
The field formations have been further instructed to initiate separate legal proceedings in case such conveyances are found to be smuggled or with tampered chassis number.
These instructions will greatly help in dismantling the smuggling network being used to transport smuggled goods.
In line with the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Steering Committee on Anti-smuggling, Pakistan Customs being the country’s lead Anti-Smuggling Organization has accordingly stepped up enforcement actions in coordination with other Law Enforcement Agencies.